Leviticus 12 Devotional

Born Under This Law

“But if she cannot afford a lamb, she shall bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. Then the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’””Leviticus 12:8 (BSB)

Leviticus 12 is a short law about giving birth. A mother is ceremonially unclean for a time, unable to touch holy things or enter the sanctuary, and the period is longer after a daughter than after a son (12:2-5). The text does not explain the difference, and it is wise not to guess. When her days are complete, she brings a lamb and a bird to the priest, who makes atonement for her (12:6-7). If she cannot afford a lamb, two birds are enough (12:8).

Luke records that Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to Jerusalem and offered two birds, the provision this chapter makes for a family without a lamb (Luke 2:22-24). The Son of God entered a household that kept this very law. Paul says God's Son was born to a woman and lived under the law in order to redeem those under it (Galatians 4:4-5). No part of human life, even its most vulnerable moments, lies outside the reach of the Savior who came this way.

To think about: What vulnerable or ordinary part of your life do you need to remember that Jesus himself entered and shared?