Learnings from Leviticus

I started reading the Old Testament again a few weeks ago. I'm now in Leviticus where all you read about are the laws of Moses and how to go about offering up a sacrifice. There are many kinds of sacrifices talked about- a meet sacrifice, peace offering, trespass something, a sin sacrifice, and probably more. It is hard to keep them all straight, and frankly, I'm glad I didn't live in Moses's day. It sounds messy.  

Anyway, I wanted to note two things: 

First, there is a string of chapters that talk about what is and isn't clean. Among the things that are "unclean" are leapers and people with other sicknesses. It seemed strange to me that God would can these people unclean, when we know that it has nothing to do with sin, but disease. As I was pondering on the subject, I believe an important principle was revealed to me. Personal revelation is awesome. Thank you, Holy Ghost!

We know that the whole Law of Moses was a type and a shadow of Jesus Christ to come. Keeping that in mind, there had to be an Atonement made for all things unclean. What I realized was that Christ Atoned for more than sin. As it says in the scriptures, "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people." - Alma 7:11

An Atonement was made on the alters for more than sin, but also pain, afflictions, sickness, and even birth- maybe because it is because of Jesus Christ that we can live. It is a beautiful representation of how because of Christ we have power to overcome all things. 

Today, we know well how to treat diseases- or plagues, as they were known. But here, I think it awesome that the Lord is being the master physician and protecting His people He is not calling them sinners, but calling them unclean and setting rules for them so they are able to live long and not spread contagious disease. He is literally preserving his people. Isn't that neat?

Okay, so the second thing I thought really neat is that the people of Moses's time were given their own "Word of Wisdom" of sorts. They were even commanded not to drink wine or strong drink just like we are commanded today! This whole Word of Wisdom thing isn't a new gig. It was given to Moses, it was given to Daniel, and we see other accounts, like John the Baptist following eating restrictions for religious reasons. So cool. 

The church never changes.