Leviticus 12:1-8 – Unbroken relationship with God

In Leviticus 11, we are shown that a person could become unclean because of something outside of him or her, such as eating the meat of an unclean animal. That person could also be unclean when he or she touched anything as specified previously. In chapter 12 right through 15, we will find that the uncleanness is not something that comes from outside of a person but something that comes from within.

Leviticus 12 deals with uncleanness due to childbirth. Verses 1-4 specified what the mother must do to purify herself if she gave birth to a son, and verse 5 shows what must be done if she gave birth to a daughter. Whether she gave to a son or a daughter she had to undergo purification. If she gave birth to a son, the purification would take half the time that was required if her baby was a daughter. Why the disparity? Is it because a son is worth more than a daughter?  The Bible is silent on this issue so we must not make anything more. One explanation is that because man was created at the end of the first week and Eve was created in the second week. But we do not know so we shall not speculate. One thing we do know is that Our Lord valued both man and woman when He was on earth. In fact, we can see that He elevated women ever so often during His earthly ministry. In verse 3 we are told that if she gave birth to a son, on the eighth day he must be circumcised. This was a sign of the covenant God had given through Abraham. What the circumcision would do was also to cut her period of purification by half.        

We must not conclude that giving birth s a sinful thing. God had commanded man to be fruitful and multiply. The issue that made her unclean was the discharge of the blood. Three times this fact of discharged blood was emphasized. First in verse 4, then verse 5, then again in verse 7. Two offerings were prescribed when the period of purification had completed. One for the burnt offering and the other for the sin offering. One for thanksgiving and gratitude for God’s protection, the other to make atonement for her to restore her fellowship with God. For women who were poor, provision was made for them to bring two pigeons instead of a lamb.

This passage tells us how much God valued a purified life. The birth of a child is a joyous occasion and should be celebrated. But the need to remain in right relationship with God after the birth of a child must be maintained so that one’s relationship with Him will not be hindered. This episode tells us how much God yearns for a restored relationship with us, His people.