Deuteronomy 24:8
“Be careful against an infection of leprosy, that you diligently observe and do according to all that the Levitical priests teach you; as I have commanded them, so you shall be careful to do.
Leprosy was a horrible disease. It wasn’t curable and was contagious. Those that contracted it were separated from the people. Leviticus 13:46 says, “He shall remain unclean all the days during which he has the infection; he is unclean. He shall live alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp.”
This sounds cruel. However, God was concerned about the health of the entire group. While He cares about the individual, this action is taken to help the nation. Spock says in one of the Star Trek movies, “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.”
Our present culture is inconsistent with this. We are so focused on hurting the feelings of some, that we ignore the impact on the whole. This is causing societal shifts. In the US, we have pivoted to a multicultural emphasis. While we have a definable cultural, we seek to dilute it for fear some will be made uncomfortable. It’s December 19th, so what used to be on everyone’s lips was “Merry Christmas”. However, it’s now seen as insensitive as a greeting. The needs of the few now outweigh the needs of the many.
What happens to a a society that doesn’t care for the needs of the many first? In a proverbial sense, the lepers are invited back in the city. While this make them feel better, it sets the health of many at risk. In the example of the last paragraph, we aren’t allowed to celebrate our culture. We are made to feel ashamed to do so. It would seem rude to tell South America to caution their speech in their national celebrations. However, we do it to ourselves.
Lord, help our country to understand the folly of some of it’s ways.