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Leviticus 12:1-5, The Lord said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites: ‘A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her monthly period. On the eighth day the boy is to be circumcised. Then the woman must wait thirty-three days to be purified from her bleeding. She must not touch anything sacred or go to the sanctuary until the days of her purification are over.  If she gives birth to a daughter, for two weeks the woman will be unclean, as during her period. Then she must wait sixty-six days to be purified from her bleeding. 

Chapter 11 spoke about uncleanness due to eating the wrong food; the next few chapters will talk about uncleanliness surrounding bodily functions.  This chapter details childbirth.  It does seem important to point out that because something is unclean, it doesn't make it morally sinful or wrong.  Childbirth was seen as a joy; God commanded humanity to be fruitful and multiply. A woman who has just given birth is in no way sinful but is considered ritually unclean.  Blood was associated with life and the loss of it meant things were not whole and clean.  Loss of blood could lead to death.  If you haven't been part of a birthing experience, just trust me that there is a great deal of blood (and other fluids) lost in the process.  It's messy. Thus, there was a process then for bringing things back into a state of cleanness.    

I can't help but think this time of seclusion after birth was a gift that God gave the mother.  Before she had to move on to the normal activities of life, she was forced to rest, to be cared for, to have other women tend to her children and her physical needs.  Life slowed down for a time so that she could heal.  This was not a time of punishment but part of God's bigger plan of caring for new mothers.   

Is there a new mother to which you need to offer care and support?   

Let's pray...God, thank you for how you create space for us to heal and rest.  Help us remember how important these things are.  In Your Name, Amen.