“And if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering” (Leviticus 12:8 ESV).
The law for the purification of a woman who had given birth to a male child called for the child to be circumcised on the eighth day. After the circumcision of her son, she was to wait thirty-three more days to complete her time of purification. Then, she was to bring with her to the Temple a lamb for a burnt offering and a pigeon for a sin offering. Yet, the law further stated that another pigeon might be substituted for the lamb if the mother could not “afford a lamb.”
Centuries later, this provision for the poor was utilized by Mary and Joseph when they brought baby Jesus from Bethlehem to Jerusalem after the time for purification. For the gospel of Luke reported that they brought “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons” according to the Law of the Lord (Luke 2:24).
That this provision was utilized by Mary and Joseph points to the poverty of the young couple to whom Jesus was born. For as the apostle Paul told the believers at Corinth, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich” (2 Cor. 8:9).
Isn’t it wonderful that God’s law made provision for the poor and especially for the Son that became poor for our sakes, that we might become rich in Him?
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the grace You have shown us through Christ Jesus. For we were spiritually impoverished and morally bankrupt, but for our sakes Jesus took on our situation that we might be made whole and right with You. Now strengthen us by Your grace to live for You today. In Jesus’ name, amen.