利未記中一些有關潔淨的規定在本章正式實施。患大痳瘋及其他在禮上不潔的人要被摒諸營外，離群索居。此舉說明了以色列人要在生活中和營中遠離任何罪及污穢的重要性，因為他們一再被告誡要作聖潔之民，而他們聖潔的標準就是上帝自己（利11︰44）。

        這個標準至今未變︰我們跟隨上帝的人必須表現出聖潔的生活。今天的教會實應效法初代教會的榜樣，管教會友中犯罪的人。上帝賜給教會有審判和管教的權柄，用祂所指示的、慈愛的方式來處理罪行（太18︰15~17），若教會不使用這權柄，則「一點麵酵能使全團發起來」（林前5︰6、11~12）。罪有傳染性，所以上帝的百姓必須遠離罪。上帝絕不會居住在有罪和污穢之處。

        另一條與罪分別的規定是針對犯錯得罪別人的人。他不但要公開認罪，還要賠償對人的虧負。如果沒有人可接受賠還的物款，所賠還的就歸與祭司作酬金。上帝與服事祂的人分享屬祂的東西。

        本章一大部份是在提醒上帝的百姓務必要遠離對婚姻不忠之罪。在上帝眼中，保持婚姻之床的聖潔極端重要。以色列中任何一個男人和女人被發現犯姦淫，二人都要被處死（利20︰10）。若一個丈夫懷疑他的妻子犯姦淫，但又沒有證據可證明，就可以用上帝預備的一種很不尋常的測試法，判斷妻子清白或有罪。在這個試驗中，上帝自己是法官，因為祂知道也看得見所有隱藏的事。設立這個方法的目的是要幫助約民有高度純淨的婚姻。

        用來測試的水本身並不含任何能使犯罪者受咒詛的物質；只有上帝能降下咒詛，而因為祂是設立此法的人，祂也會掌管這場測試，用祂的審判來介入人間事。本段用來形容咒詛的話是象徵性的（5︰21），意思似乎是說犯罪的婦人將無法生子；但她若是清白的，上帝將因她的清潔祝福她懷孕生子。她不只會得到祝福，也能得以自由，免受災禍（5︰28）。罪帶來轄制，在上帝面前清潔沒有玷污則帶給人自由。

        這個測試也保護遭不白之冤的妻子，上帝並要證明她的清白。清白的妻子能與丈夫和好（婚姻得醫治），她的家也必重獲和諧。這個測試既證明丈夫的嫉妒沒有根據，嫉妒的根就被斬斷，不致生出毀滅之果（歌8︰6）。上帝願意夫妻之間琴瑟合鳴，也樂見我們的生活融洽和諧；但要有和諧的生活，就必須遵守祂的律法過潔淨的生活。

        哦，聖潔的上帝，求您賜給我們一顆充滿愛、純潔、和諒解的心。幫助我們像耶穌那樣赦免人及呼召人悔改。主啊，但願我們能像初代教會那樣的敬畏您。奉主耶穌基督聖名，阿們！

English

        In this chapter, we see that some of the regulations of purity that were given in the book of Leviticus are now being put into effect. Lepers and others who were ceremonially unclean were to be put outside the camp to live apart from the rest of the congregation. This was to illustrate the importance of keeping sin and any kind of defilement away from the camp and their lives, for they were admonished over and over again to be holy, and their standard of holiness was God Himself (Lev. 11:44).

        This standard has not changed: We who follow God must also exhibit holiness in our lives. The church today would do well to follow the example of the early church in disciplining those of their fellowship who are in sin., God has provided for the church to judge and discipline such acts in a prescribed, loving manner (Matt.18:15-17), for if they do not: “a little leaven leavens the whole lump” (1 Cor.5:6, 11-12). Sin can be infectious, and therefore God’s people must separate themselves from it. God’s presence will not abide where there is defilement and sin.

        A further provision of separation from sin was demanded by one who had transgressed and sinned against another person. In this case, a public confession of the sin and restitution was required. For transgressions, which did not involve restitution to be made to another person, the payment of restitution was to go directly to the priest as an honorarium. God shared with His ministers those things, which belonged to Him.

        A large portion of this chapter served to show to God’s people the importance of separation from the sin of marital infidelity. The sanctity of the marriage bed was, and still is, extremely important in the sight of God. If an Israelite man and woman were caught in adultery, the penalty was death for both (Lev.20:10). God provided and unusual test of guilt or innocence for the wife whose husband suspected her of committing adultery and yet did not have proof, in which God alone would be the judge, for He knows and sees all things. This test was established to help produce a high level of marital purity within the covenant community.

        There was nothing in the water itself (5:17), which could bring about the curse for one who was guilty; only God could do this and since He established this test, He would preside over it and intervene with His judgment. It seems that the figurative language used in curse (5:21) means the woman would not be able to bear children, but the opposite would be true if she was found innocent: her fertility would be a blessing from God because she was found clean. Not only would she be blessed, but we also read, “she shall be free” (5:28). Sin brings bondage, but purity before God brings freedom.

        This test would protect the unjustly charged woman and God would vindicate her. The innocent woman would find harmony within her home and reconciliation with her husband (healing of the marriage). Since his jealousy had proven to be unwarranted, the test would kill the root of jealousy so it would not grow and cause destruction (Song of Solomon 8:6). God desires to see harmony in our lives and between marriage partners, but purity and keeping His laws are essential for harmony.

        O Holy God, we pray for hearts filled with love, purity and understanding. Help us to be like Jesus in forgiving others and in calling for repentance. May the hear of You. O Lord, come on all of us as it did upon the early church.