The Consequences of Contamination: A Reflection on Leviticus 14:46
"Moreover he that goeth into the house all the while that it is shut up shall be unclean until the even." - Leviticus 14:46

Leviticus 14:46 states, "Moreover he that goeth into the house all the while that it is shut up shall be unclean until the even." This verse, nestled within the laws regarding leprosy and the ordinances for cleansing, holds deeper implications for our spiritual lives and relationship with God.
To fully appreciate the weight of this verse, we must understand its context. In Leviticus, God is giving Moses guidelines regarding various aspects of ceremonial cleanliness, which were vital for the maintenance of holiness among His people. These laws were not arbitrary; they reflected a God who desires purity and sanctity in all that belongs to Him. By metaphorically applying this principle to our lives, we can see the significance of avoidance of contamination in our walk with Christ.
The phrase "he that goeth into the house all the while that it is shut up" conveys a powerful message. A house that is shut up symbolizes a space that has been deemed unclean, often because it housed a leprous condition. In ancient Israel, living or entering an unclean house could lead to physical impurity. Spiritually, however, this denotes the impact of sin and the danger of entering spaces—literal or metaphorical—that defile us.
The act of going into a house that is shut up signifies a willful choice to engage with something that God has marked as unclean. This raises a crucial question for us today: What are the ‘houses’ in our lives that we continue to enter despite knowing they lead to impurity? These can be relationships, environments, or habits that we know are not pleasing to God but manage to justify our presence there.
The result of entering such places is highlighted in this verse: "shall be unclean until the even." This concept of being "unclean" alludes to a temporary state—a state that could be understood beyond physical dirtiness to represent spiritual separation from God. Being unclean affects one’s ability to worship, serve, and commune with the Lord. As believers, when we allow worldly things to permeate our lives, we can unintentionally hinder our relationship with God.
Consider the New Testament implications of being unclean. Jesus frequently addressed the issue of cleanliness—not merely physical sterility but spiritual wholeness. In Matthew 15:18 KJV, He states, "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man." Defilement is not merely about entering a contaminated space but starts from within. Our thoughts, motives, and actions can render us unclean, making it vital to guard our hearts against sin and anything that goes against God's commands.
As believers, we are called to pursue holiness. This involves critical choices in what we expose ourselves to—media, conversations, environments, and influencers in our lives. Think of David, whose eyes wandered and led him to sin. His experience serves as a stark reminder of how easily we can become contaminated through the doors we choose to open.
So how do we guard against this spiritual contamination? First, through prayer and the reading of Scripture, we can ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas in our lives that need His cleansing touch. Second, we must establish boundaries in our lives, avoiding situations that could expose us to uncleanliness. Lastly, we need to surround ourselves with communities of faith that encourage purity and righteousness.
In conclusion, Leviticus 14:46 is more than an ancient law; it’s a timeless reminder of the impact of sin and the importance of purity in our spiritual lives. Let us strive to live in a manner that honors God and ensures we remain clean vessels for His service, for "without holiness, no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14 KJV). As we do so, we can warm our hearts in the knowledge that we are always invited into His presence, restored and made clean.
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"Moreover he that goeth into the house all the while that it is shut up shall be unclean until the even." - Leviticus 14:46
Leviticus 11:46 - "This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth:"
Mark 14:46 - "¶ And they laid their hands on him, and took him."
Genesis 46:14 - "¶ And the sons of Zebulun; Sered, and Elon, and Jahleel."
Leviticus 26:46 - "These are the statutes and judgments and laws, which the LORD made between him and the children of Israel in mount Sinai by the hand of Moses."
Leviticus 13:46 - "All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be."
"¶ And they laid their hands on him, and took him." - Mark 14:46
1 Samuel 14:46 - "Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place."
"¶ And the sons of Zebulun; Sered, and Elon, and Jahleel." - Genesis 46:14
Leviticus 14:51
Leviticus 14:55 - "And for the leprosy of a garment, and of a house,"
Leviticus 14:56 - "And for a rising, and for a scab, and for a bright spot:"
"This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth:" - Leviticus 11:46
Leviticus 14:1 - "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
Leviticus 11:14 - "And the vulture, and the kite after his kind;"
Leviticus 5:14 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
Jeremiah 46:14 - "Declare ye in Egypt, and publish in Migdol, and publish in Noph and in Tahpanhes: say ye, Stand fast, and prepare thee; for the sword shall devour round about thee."
Leviticus 14:54 - "This is the law for all manner of plague of leprosy, and scall,"
Leviticus 25:46 - "And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession; they shall be your bondmen for ever: but over your brethren the children of Israel, ye shall not rule one over another with rigour."
Leviticus 26:14 - "¶ But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments;"
Leviticus 14:33 - "¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,"
Leviticus 14:57 - "To teach when it is unclean, and when it is clean: this is the law of leprosy."
"And for the leprosy of a garment, and of a house," - Leviticus 14:55
Leviticus 13:14 - "But when raw flesh appeareth in him, he shall be unclean."
"These are the statutes and judgments and laws, which the LORD made between him and the children of Israel in mount Sinai by the hand of Moses." - Leviticus 26:46
Leviticus 14:26 - "And the priest shall pour of the oil into the palm of his own left hand:"
Leviticus 14:30 - "And he shall offer the one of the turtledoves, or of the young pigeons, such as he can get;"
"And for a rising, and for a scab, and for a bright spot:" - Leviticus 14:56
Leviticus 14:50 - "And he shall kill the one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water:"
Leviticus 9:14 - "And he did wash the inwards and the legs, and burnt them upon the burnt offering on the altar."