Leviticus 21:16-23

pwfaith · #1 (**permalink**) 10-30-2005, 10:56 AM

The LORD said to Moses, "Say to Aaron: 'For the generations to come none of your descendants who has a defect may come near to offer the food of his God. No man who has any defect may come near: no man who is blind or lame, disfigured or deformed; no man with a crippled foot or hand, or who is hunchbacked or dwarfed, or who has any eye defect, or who has festering or running sores or damaged testicles. 1 No descendant of Aaron the priest who has any defect is to come near to present the offerings made to the LORD by fire. He has a defect; he must not come near to offer the food of his God. He may eat the most holy food of his God, as well as the holy food; yet because of his defect, he must not go near the curtain or approach the altar, and so desecrate my sanctuary. I am the LORD, who makes them holy. ' "

Does God discriminate against the handicapped?

pwfaith · #2 (**permalink**) 11-04-2005, 07:19 AM

Does God discriminate against the handicapped?

No, I don't think He does. People with any kind of disabilities are just as much a part of His beautiful creation, love and family as anyone else.

The rule in these verses had nothing to do with individual rights. Serving as a priest was not a right; it was a privilege reserved for only a few. Those with physical defects were no more discrimnated against than were most of the people of Israel: Only men of a certain age, ceremonially clean, without defect, from the tribe of Levi and descended from Aaron were granted the privilege to represent God as priests. At issue was whether the priests would project an image of a holy, perfect God to the people. The uniqueness of the call preserved the image. Nonetheless, Aaron's descendants with defects were not barred from other priestly benefits (v22).

This commentary talks about it a bit more as well: http://studylight.org/com/mhc-com/vi...le&chapter=021

matthew · #3 (**permalink**) 11-08-2005, 03:58 PM

3Make sure no outsider who now follows GOD

ever has occasion to say, "GOD put me in second-class.

I don't really belong.'

And make sure no physically mutilated person

is ever made to think, "I'm damaged goods.

I don't really belong.'"

4For GOD says:

"To the mutilated who keep my Sabbaths

and choose what delights me

and keep a firm grip on my covenant,

5I'll provide them an honored place

in my family and within my city,

even more honored than that of sons and daughters.

I'll confer permanent honors on them

that will never be revoked.

God bless,

Matthew

matthew · #4 (**permalink**) 11-08-2005, 04:00 PM

The above scripture was from Isaiah 56:3-5.

God bless,

Matthew