Chapter 15 is all about bodily discharges. I know, it isn't appealing, but it was necessary to educate the Israelites about the ways their behavior could have dire consequences physically. If they had a discharge they were commanded to wash themselves and the fabrics they touched. The basic idea was not to spread disease. After the discharge cleared up the person was to have a ceremonial cleansing performed after eight days, by bringing two birds to the Tent of Meeting. One bird was for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering.
Other bodily emissions such as semen and a woman's monthly period are also covered. Eight days after a woman's period was over, she was to bring two doves to the Tent of Meeting and offer them as a sin offering and as a burnt offering to make atonement for her.
The Day of Atonement was considered as a day of reconciliation with God. It was only on this day that Aaron was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies where the ark and the mercy seat were. He was to bathe and dress in the holy garments. He was to bring a bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. The Israelites were to provide him with two male goats for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. Aaron would cast lots, sort of like flipping a coin, to see which goat would be sent out into the desert as a scapegoat. The other was sacrificed in the usual manner. On this day, Aaron made atonement for himself, his household and all the Israelites. They were to fast and rest as if it were the Sabbath. I believe it is healthy to take stock of my life from time to time and make sure I am living the way I believe God wants me to.
Chapter 17 is about not eating blood. You don't have to tell me twice. But I'm not the kid in Africa tending his cows who gets thirsty and because there is no clean drinking water, he has to take a sharp stick and pierce a vein in the neck of a cow and drink the blood to quench his thirst. I heard the story during a sermon in church years ago. The pastor was telling his experience of a mission trip. I thank God for those wonderful people who give their lives to Him and go build wells for these people so they don't have to drink blood because it's safer than their water.
Chapter 18 covers unlawful sexual relations. God said, "Keep my decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them." Sexual relations were forbidden between:
close relatives
your mother
your father's wife
your sister - full or half
your granddaughter
your aunt on your father's or mother's side
your uncle's wife
your daughter-in-law
your brother's wife
both a mother and daughter or mother and grand daughter
That is wickedness!
Tomorrow read Leviticus 18:19 - ch 21
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