These verses regard the regulations from cleansing the house from mold. A priest was called to examine it, determine if it was serious, close off the house, scrape down the walls, or tear it down. Mold is serious and causes serious health problems, even death. Mold is an element of death and could not coexist with Holy God.

The Israelites were dispossessing the homes of the Canaanite peoples. The mold in their old homes could be symbolic of their former idol-worshiping culture of the Canaanites. They must not adopt their various household gods, but cleanse them from their homes.

The method for cleansing mold was similar to the cleaning for leprosy: two birds and some cedar wood, scarlet yarn and hyssop. The first bird was killed and the second bird set free. Only faith in the power of Jesus' death and resurrection can purify our personal lives, homes, churches and nations from cultural sins that easily persist. We must pray to be alert to sin's contamination and ask God's grace to cleanse us through Jesus. We must not let the elements of death through moldy cultural sins grow in our families and community and become comfortable with them. We must be vigilant to live pure lives of faith.


Application: Father, help us to be vigilant against the spread of cultural sins in our community.
One Word: Be alert to sin's contamination