These verses concern the regulations on cleansing contaminated houses from mold. A priest was called to examine the contaminated house, determine if it was serious, close it off temporarily, scrape down the walls, or tear it down. Mold can cause serious health problems, even leading to death. Mold was seen as an element of death and thus it could not coexist with the Holy God.

During this time, the Israelites were dispossessing the homes of the Canaanites. The mold in their old homes was symbolic of the idol-worshiping culture of the Canaanites. The Israelites were not to adopt their household gods but were commanded to cleanse their homes of them.

The method for cleaning mold was similar to the cleansing of leprosy: it involved two birds, 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 spread in our families and communities through “moldy” cultural sins.. We must be vigilant in order 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