The commentary was tremendously helpful with this chapter. These odd-seeming laws actually relate to purity of religion. The Israelites were to honor God in their human-ness. God does not ask to mutilate our bodies or hate our flesh or even hate the world. We are to be in the world but not of it--and we are to love Him above all. Just as the Israelites were not to merge their ideals with the idols of the nations around them, we are to be single-minded in our pursuit of God.
Holiness is a necessity in our pursuit of God--and is necessary beyond 'religion'. Holiness is to be part of our daily life. Indeed, God dwells in the camps of our lives and we need to be pure in how we live. The world soils us regularly but cleansing is ours when we run to Jesus. 'Dirty' money was not to be used in the Israelites worship--or our own. We are to share and follow through on our commitments. The Israelites God--our God--is not confined to ceremonies. He is in all and He is all! Praise Him.
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