Thus you shall keep the people of Israel separate from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness by defiling my tabernacle that is in their midst.

Leviticus 15:31

In Leviticus 12-15, God describes numerous scenarios where a person can become unclean including having an infectious skin disease, to having mildew, to having discharges. It is very important that they are aware because if they go to the Tabernacle unaware of their uncleanness, God, being Holy, has no choice but to kill them.

One thing that’s very important to realize is that once something or someone is unclean, anything or anyone that touches them becomes unclean. It’s also important to realize how fast uncleanness can spread in the community.

For example, if a man had a discharge or a woman is on her period, everything they lie on or sit on is unclean (Leviticus 15:4, 15:20). Or if a person’s house has mildew, just being in the house will make a person unclean (Leviticus 14:46-47).

For the people that happen to be unclean, it is their duty to inform everyone that they are unclean so they don’t make other people unclean. The people with infectious skin diseases must cry out “Unclean! Unclean!” (Leviticus 13:45-46)

In order to stay clean as long as possible, a person must be very diligent and observant of what they are doing. But no matter how vigilant they are, it is inevitable that they will become unclean. Once something or someone is unclean, it is very easy for other things or people to become unclean.

For us today, I believe this is a physical metaphor of how sin can overtake our lives. Sometimes we sin unintentionally, other times deliberately, but once we sin, it’s easier to keep doing the same sin or start other sin.

When we sin, we must be aware of it, confess it to God, and ask for forgiveness and help. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to overcome sin (Galatians 5:16). Otherwise, sin will overtake you and destroy you (James 1:15).

But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.

2 Thessalonians 3:3