Childbirth Purification - Leviticus 12:2-5

Seek God Together

If you appreciate this work, consider supporting it - https://www.patreon.com/seekgodtogether Today we will read Leviticus 12:2-5. These verses say, “Tell the Israelites: When a woman becomes pregnant and gives birth to a male child, she will be unclean seven days…She will continue in purification from her bleeding for 33 days. She must not touch any holy thing or go into the sanctuary until completing her days of purification. But if she gives birth to a female child, she will be unclean for two weeks as she is during her menstrual impurity. She will continue in purification from her bleeding for 66 days.” There are a lot of weird things in scripture. And this one ranks near the top. Just to summarize incase you missed it, a woman is essentially unclean for 40 days if she has a boy and 80 days total if she has a girl. 40 days, unclean, for a boy, and 80 days for a girl. Why is this in the bible? I have no clue. We already believe that scripture is inspired of God but is also written within the context and agendas of the writers. Is this saying that little girls are twice as impure as little boys? I sure hope not. We’re by far not the first to question this passage. Ancient Hebrew scholars came up with some very creative, and in some cases hysterical explanations. Including but not limited to: the length of time it takes for the woman to repent of swearing off ever having sex again. I kid you not. Supposedly this time is less for a boy because male babies were more preferable. You can’t make this stuff up. Other explanations include the biological idea that if sperm goes to one side a male is produced, and on the other side a female, and it takes half as long for quote “rotted blood” to leave the body from the male side verses the female side. Sheesh. I prefer the Adam and Eve explanation. Whatever your particular views of Genesis 1-3, the narrative states that Adam was in the garden first. And then later Eve is revealed as a mystery hidden within Adam. In a sense then Adam has a head-start in exploring God’s world. The females get a little more time then. Whatever the explanation notice a few other things. First, Leviticus, far from being mean, is giving a new mom time to bond. There is no rush back to work, or any additional responsibilities given other than laying low and spending time with the new baby. Second, while we didn’t read it, the verses following spell out the need for an atonement offering. It’s the same for males and females. There’s not an extra offering for females. All humanity requires the same thing to be right with God, a sacrifice. And this sacrifice is offered before the baby has done anything immoral. It is necessary and provision is made even without the baby’s consent. And finally, the females get a longer period of time. And while this could understandably be viewed as a knock against females, just consider that everything in creation led up to a female - not to a male. The crowning moment of goodness didn’t come with Adam but with Eve. When a man and woman get married, the groom walks in unceremoniously and without fanfare. But then everyone stands to attention, and marvels at the glory of the beautiful bride in the white dress. And in the future, Jesus will get His bride. Yes He’s made all the provision, He did all the sacrificing and suffering…Yes He’s the King and the Savior…but all His attention and romantic energy is aimed in one direction - the female - the bride - the church - the humanity that He is reconciling back to Himself. God even in strange passages we can see You and marvel at You. I am part of Your bride. Show me more of what this means.