31. That they die not. Whoever should venture to come to the sanctuary when thus defiled would thereby defile it also, in spite of the fact that the personal defilement was in most cases involuntary and did not require a sacrifice. These regulations indicate God’s interest in personal health and sanitation, and at the same time served to emphasize the sacredness of holy things. Ceremonial defilement was symbolic of moral defilement. In the Levitical laws the difference between actual sin and uncleanness is clearly distinguished.
God hates sin. He has seen its beginning and its outworking, and He knows what it is. He also hates uncleanness of all kinds, even though it may not be specifically called sin. God makes a difference between sin and uncleanness, and does not charge moral delinquency for that which is merely unclean. But neither does God fail to make men know that uncleanness of all kinds is displeasing to Him. This lesson should not be lost on us. God requires holiness. He requires cleanliness; He requires becoming modesty and humility; He requires that we do not benumb our sensibilities by anything whatsoever that tends to make us less aware of His voice.
1. The Lord spake unto Moses. Even though Aaron had been appointed high priest, God still recognized Moses as the leader and gave Aaron instructions through him.