How does Leviticus 7:20 emphasize the importance of ritual purity in worship? The Text “But if anyone who is unclean eats the meat of the fellowship offering belonging to the LORD, that person must be cut off from his people.” (Leviticus 7:20) Key Observations • “Anyone who is unclean” sets an unmistakable standard—God does not allow exceptions. • “Eats the meat of the fellowship offering” ties purity directly to participation in worship. • “Belonging to the LORD” reminds us the sacrifice is God’s property; mishandling it is a direct offense against Him. • “Must be cut off” shows the seriousness of impurity: exclusion from covenant community, not merely a ritual penalty. Ritual Purity as a Reflection of God’s Holiness • God’s nature is holy (Leviticus 11:44). Approaching Him casually misrepresents who He is. • Physical uncleanness symbolized moral and spiritual contamination. Israelites learned that sin disqualifies from fellowship unless cleansed. • The command teaches that worship is both privilege and responsibility—we honor the Lord by meeting His standards, not ours. Practical Implications for Worship Today • Though ceremonial laws were fulfilled in Christ (Hebrews 9:11-14), the principle remains: approach God with clean hearts (Psalm 24:3-4). • Self-examination precedes participation in the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:27-29). • Confession and repentance restore fellowship (1 John 1:9). • Reverence guards against treating sacred things as common, keeping worship sincere rather than routine. Supporting Scriptures • Leviticus 15:31 — warns Israel not to defile God’s tabernacle. • Exodus 19:10-11 — people cleanse themselves before meeting the LORD at Sinai. • Isaiah 6:5-7 — even a prophet needs purification to stand in God’s presence. • Hebrews 12:14 — “without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Summary Leviticus 7:20 underscores that God’s worshipers must be clean, because the One they approach is holy. Ritual purity safeguarded the sanctity of the sacrificial meal and, by extension, the integrity of Israel’s covenant life. Today the same holy God invites believers to come through Christ, yet He still calls for hearts purified by repentance and faith. |
    |