Numbers 5:2-3 Command the children of Israel, that they put out of the camp every leper, and every one that has an issue… I. GOD HIMSELF IS PURE, AND CANNOT ASSOCIATE WITH THE IMPURE. If discipline is lax, God departs. It is not the large church, or the intelligent or the wealthy one, that attracts Him, but the pure one. As the lightning passes by the polished marble and the carved wood to touch the iron or steel, because there it finds something akin to itself, so God passes by those to dwell with the pure, because in them He finds a character akin to His own. II. GOD WILL NOT, BECAUSE HE CANNOT, DO ANY GOOD TO THE IMPURE. Any one tolerating sin would not appreciate the design of God and accept His blessing; and where He cannot bless, He will not come to dwell. Let us then "put out of the camp every leper," everything that defileth; for the presence of God in our midst is of the utmost importance to us as His Church and people. His presence is essential. 1. To our comfort as Churches and Christians. What the shining sun is in nature His presence is with us — our brightness, our joy, &c. 2. To our prosperity. God with His Church has been in all ages the secret of its power and success. His presence is the life of the ministry and of all Christian work (D. Lloyd.) Parallel Verses KJV: Command the children of Israel, that they put out of the camp every leper, and every one that hath an issue, and whosoever is defiled by the dead: |
    |