Lev. 12: Does this mean something is wrong with the birth of a child?
I wouldn't exactly say "wrong," but the commentaries I looked at suggest that childbirth is a kind of bittersweet event. On the one hand, fertility is a blessing from the Lord and is thus to be celebrated; on the other, all babies are born with a sinful nature and pain in childbirth was the curse pronounced on Eve after the Fall. The woman's time of separation and uncleanliness seems to be a means of purification from the latter.
The pain of childbirth is obviously attributed to the fall, and I think it's safe to say that blood comes with it. I think the time of cleansing reminds us of our fall and the corresponding need to be cleansed.
Lev. 12: Does this mean something is wrong with the birth of a child?
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't exactly say "wrong," but the commentaries I looked at suggest that childbirth is a kind of bittersweet event. On the one hand, fertility is a blessing from the Lord and is thus to be celebrated; on the other, all babies are born with a sinful nature and pain in childbirth was the curse pronounced on Eve after the Fall. The woman's time of separation and uncleanliness seems to be a means of purification from the latter.
The pain of childbirth is obviously attributed to the fall, and I think it's safe to say that blood comes with it. I think the time of cleansing reminds us of our fall and the corresponding need to be cleansed.
ReplyDelete