What is the meaning of Leviticus 7:20? But if anyone who is unclean Leviticus 7:20 opens with a sober caution. Under the law, “unclean” covered a variety of conditions—touching a carcass (Leviticus 5:2), certain bodily discharges (Leviticus 15), or even eating unclean animals (Leviticus 11). Anyone in that state was barred from God’s sanctuary until cleansed (Numbers 19:20). • Holiness is God’s unchanging standard: “For I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy” (Leviticus 11:44). • The New Covenant keeps the principle: Paul warns believers not to partake of the Lord’s Supper “in an unworthy manner” (1 Corinthians 11:27-30), showing the continuity of God’s concern for purity. eats meat from the peace offering The peace offering (Leviticus 3) was a fellowship meal—fat burned for the Lord, portions for the priests, and the rest shared by the worshiper and family (Deuteronomy 12:7). • It celebrated restored relationship; eating symbolized communion with God (1 Corinthians 10:18). • To approach the table while unclean turned a joyous meal into presumption, much like participating in Communion while harboring unconfessed sin today. that belongs to the LORD Whatever was placed on the altar was no longer common property. It was “most holy” (Leviticus 21:22-23). • Malachi later rebukes those who treated the Lord’s table with contempt (Malachi 1:7-8). • Peter urges New Testament believers, “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16), reminding us that God’s ownership of the sacrifice demands reverence. that person must be cut off from his people “Cut off” could involve death (Exodus 31:14), banishment (Genesis 17:14), or loss of covenant privileges. Whatever the exact method, the penalty was severe because the offense was severe. • Purging protects the community: “A little leaven leavens the whole batch” (1 Corinthians 5:6-13). • Hebrews underscores the seriousness: “Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy… How much more severe a punishment do you think he deserves who has trampled the Son of God?” (Hebrews 10:28-29). summary Leviticus 7:20 insists that those who come to God’s table must come clean. Approaching what “belongs to the LORD” in an unworthy state profanes His holiness and endangers the worshiper. The same God who required ceremonial purity in Israel still calls His people today to moral and spiritual purity as we rejoice in the fellowship secured by the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ. |
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