Justin Houtz

Leviticus 12, Acts 13

DateVersionReading Plan
April 12, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Leviticus 12

Observation

The LORD spoke to Moses to give instruction to the people as to when a woman conceives a bears a child. If a woman bore a male child, she was to be unclean seven days, circumcise the child on the eighth day and continue for thirty-three days in the blood of her purification (Lev. 12:2-4). The FSB provides additional detail:

the blood of her cleansing Leviticus 12:4–5 ****describes a second waiting period for the woman. The Hebrew phrase used here, bidmei tahorah—which may be literally rendered as “in blood of cleansing”—is also mentioned in v. 5. She may have been required to wait at home during this period of uncleanness. This concept blends the beliefs that blood is the source of her impurity (15:19–24) with the idea that blood is an agent of purification (8:15; 14:5–7; 16:18–19).

If the child borne was a female, the time periods were doubled: the woman was to be unclean for two weeks and continue in the blood of her purifying for sixty-six days (Lev. 12:5). The BBC offers helpful insight on the differences between birthing males and females:

The extended time of uncleanness in the case of a baby girl was perhaps an intended reminder that man was created before woman, that the woman was created for the man, that the woman is given a place of positional submission (not intrinsic inferiority) to the man, and that the woman was the first to sin.

When the days of her purifying were over (whether for son or daughter), the woman was to bring to the priest 1) a year-old lamb for a burnt offering and 2) a pigeon or turtledove for a sin offering (Lev. 12:6). The priest was to offering it before the LORD and make atonement for her. The woman would then be clean from her flow of blood (Lev. 12:7). If the woman could not afford a lamb, the two turtledoves or two pigeons were accepted, one for a burnt offering and one for a sin offering. The priest was to make atonement for her and she shall be clean (Lev. 12:8).

Application

It may seem off-putting that a woman was to be considered unclean after giving birth to a child, but, as the BBC states, “The uncleanness is probably a reminder that, with the exception of our Lord, we are all brought forth in iniquity and conceived in sin (Ps. 51:5).” Because we inherit the sin of Adam, we arrive as sinners into a broken world. As we read of the uncleanness of the woman following childbirth, we should be reminded of our sin and desperate need for salvation through Christ. Only through His blood are we purified and made clean, able to stand before the Father, being covered by the righteousness of the Son.

Acts 13

Observation

In the church at Antioch, there were prophets and teachers and while they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit told them to set apart Paul and Barnabas for the work He had called them (Acts 13:1-2). After fasting, the group laid their hands on Paul and Barnabas and sent them off (Acts 13:3).

Being sent out by the Holy Spirit, Paul and Barnabas traveled through a few regions and arrived at Salamis where they proclaimed the word of God to the Jews and John was with them (Acts 15:4-5). They traveled some more and encountered a magician at Paphos named, Bar-Jesus (also called Elymas). The magician opposed them and sought to turn the proconsul away from the faith (Acts 13:8). Saul (also called Paul), filled with the Holy Spirit, sharply rebuked the magician and told him that, because of his deceit and villainy, he would be unable to see the sun for some time (Acts 13:9-11). The magician fell blind and sought for people to lead him by the hand (Acts 13:11). Upon seeing this, the proconsul believed, astonished at the teaching of the Lord (Acts 13:12).

Paul and his companions continued to travel and came to Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:13-14). After reading the law and prophets on a Sabbath day, the rulers of the synagogue asked Paul and his companions to speak a word of encouragement if they had any (Acts 13:15). Paul stood up and addressed them, recounting the history of the Jews and that Jesus was the promised Messiah (Acts 13:16-41). After Paul and his companions went out, the people begged that these things be told them the next Sabbath (Acts 13:42). The next Sabbath, almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord, but when the Jews saw the crowds and were filled with jealousy, trying to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him (Acts 13:45). Paul spoke boldly that the word was first spoken to the Jews, but since they had thrust it aside, they would be turning to the Gentiles (Acts 13:47). Paul quoted Isaiah 49:6 and when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord (Acts 13:48).

However, the Jews incited devout women of high standing and leading men to stir up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, driving them from the district (Acts 13:50). Paul and Barnabas shook the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:52).

Application

I can only imagine how charged the atmosphere must have been as Paul and Barnabas brought the news of salvation through Christ and that it is available to both Jew and Gentile. Paul said that it was necessary that it was spoken to the Jews first, but they thrust it aside and deemed themselves unworthy of eternal life (Acts 13:46). This response of self-righteousness led Paul to turn to the Gentiles who rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord (Acts 13:48), demonstrating that it is the humble and contrite in spirit who receive the gospel with gratitude and celebration.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that by the blood of Your Son Jesus I can be consecrated to be in Your presence. How gracious are You, Father, that you would look upon our uncleanness with such mercy and forgiveness. Father, help me by Your Spirit to guide me to an ever-deepening understanding of my sin that it may lead to the greatest heights of appreciation for the sacrifice You have made and the exaltation of Your great name.

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