Well, at least Leviticus 15 does not continue on dwelling with bloody sacrifices, but then again when the topic is bodily discharges, maybe we would prefer reading more about sacrifices. Just from the reading it would seem that the Puritans were not the only ones who had issues with sex. However, there are issues of sexually transmitted diseases within this text which helps explain the issues of washing, cleansing and purification.
When the authors use the term "discharge", they are most likely referring to issue of sexually transmitted diseases, most scholars believe that gonorrhea was likely the std that is being discussed. It is this discharge that creates the true threat to the community. In order to be cleansed one must undergo ritual bathing as well as offering sacrifices after an eight day period, a period of time which reflects the movement from death to life. Notice that both the male and female are considered unclean by these discharges that are considered "abnormal" and therefore contact with them is forbidden.
In contrast to this discharge, chapter 15 also speaks to normal seminal emissions. For these emissions, ritual bathing is the only action called for, in addition to the need to wait til the evening. Once these actions are taken, a person is considered clean. Much like blood, semen was considered to be a life force and as such any waste of it was considered to be an affront to God, which is why there is a need for ritual cleansing.
Chapter 16 ends a string of chapters that deal with impurities and dietary issues. It is likely that chapters 11 to 15 were inserted at a later time and that 16 follows more directly after chapter 10. Recall that chapter 10 tells the stories of the sons of Aaron who fail to follow the directives of God and are struck dead. Seen in this light chapter 16 offers the opportunity for Aaron to rectify this transgression. The actions listed out in the chapter deal with the Day of Atonement, an opportunity for the sanctuary to the cleansed, for Aaron and the priesthood to be able to offer sacrifices for their own sins and then the scapegoat, on which the sins of Israel will be placed and banished.
It is this last action that presents a new ritual action. We are introduced to the figure of Azazel, who is a precursor of the Devil, a demon who lives in the wasteland. Two goats are brought forward, one sacrificed and offered to God and the second has the sins of Israel placed upon it and then it is sent into the wasteland in which Azazel resides. The sins of Israel are therefore removed from the community.
At the end of the chapter, God sets this Day of Atonement within the annual calendar of Israel, where it joins the Passover, as an annual ritual in the life of Israel. This Day of Atonement still is celebrated as Yom Kippur.
Acts 9
The 9th chapter of Acts tells us the familiar story of Saul's conversion. Saul has appeared previously in the story of the stoning of Stephen and he now reappears in a bid to further persecute the church. The fact that a community exists in Damascus tells us that the gospel message is spreading, it also shows that persecution of the community of believers is occurring outside of Jerusalem as well.
It is clear that Saul is well known for his persecution of the early church, as the church only reluctantly agrees to welcome him into the community, only after Barnabas intercedes. God's willingness to use such a person for God's will speaks to God's willingness to call each of us in our way. None of us are perfect, yet God calls us to our vocation.
Chapter 9 continues in the healing stories of Peter, who is still the primary character of the Book of Acts. Peter's transformation from reluctant disciple to bold apostle is seen in his ability to raise Tabitha from the dead.
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