Mikveh: Baptism

Matthew 3

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

"1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:

'The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord;

Make His paths straight.’

4 Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him 6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins."

(John baptizing in the Jordan River.)

Baptism is specifically mentioned here in the Gospel of Matthew because he was writing to Jewish people, both saved and unsaved.  This is the same Matthew who was a tax collector, considered by his countrymen to be a traitor of his nation.  This gospel was specifically written TO Jewish people although non-Jews can learn many things as well.  (For more on this topic of who wrote what to whom, follow this link:  http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/11/part-3-of-16-rightly-dividing-word-of.html)

In Jewish culture, the confession of sins, ritual baptism, cleansing, consecration to God and spiritual purification via the waters of baptism, or Mikveh, was a centuries-old tradition.  It was an integral part of their religious life and a custom with which they were well acquainted.  Many homes even had their own Mikveh built right in.  

The pool of Siloám is a perfect example of a naturally occurring one.  Siloám means "Sent One," 

(For more on this topic, follow this link:  http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/07/siloam-sent-one.html)

(Pool of Siloam.)

This Hebrew word comes from the root "qavah," meaning "wait," as in waiting for something (or Someone?).  The word in scripture first occurs in Genesis 1:10...the gathering of the waters He called,"seas."  You see, the first and greatest flood of all was the one in the very beginning.  When the earth was without form and void, chaos everywhere, and the Spirit of the Lord was hovering over the face of the deep.  

("....and the earth was without form and void.")

The Jewish custom of immersion was usually done in a Mikveh, which simply means "a pool where water has gathered."  The Mikveh is an essential in any Synagogue and was also part of the temple.  It was not intended for physical cleaning, which would be done beforehand, but for Spiritual cleansing in a purification ceremony.   

The terms "purity and impurity" are inadequate translations from the Hebrew and lend more to a physical rather than a spiritual sense to the process.

(Jewish Mikveh.)

Immersion was conducted for various occasions:

1. Women after childbirth or menstruation

2. A bride before her wedding

3. Priests (in the Temple) before divine service

4. Men on the eve of Yom Kippur (also optionally, before Shabbat)

5. For converts to Judaism

6. In preparation of a dead person for burial

The Torah does not say much about immersion and the mikveh, but it appears to have become an essential part of Jewish religious life by Temple times.  Leviticus 12:5 talks of washing for purification for women, and Leviticus 14: 8-9 of purification for leprosy, a typology of sin in the Bible.  

Exodus 29: 4-5 gives instruction for consecrating the priests:  "Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water.  Take the garments and dress Aaron with the tunic, the robe of the ephod, ........";

(Priest ceremonially cleansing himself.)

Exodus 30:20 describes hoe the priest must cleanse himself before entering the Mishkan or tent of meeting:  "Whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting, they shall wash with water so that they will not die."

A search on the word "bathe" will produce many verses, such as Leviticus 15:13

"When a man is cleansed from his discharge, he is to count off seven days for his ceremonial cleansing; he must wash his clothes and bathe himself with fresh water, and he will be clean."

It all brings to mind the greatest gathering of waters ever known:  The flood of Noah's day.  The whole earth was immersed in water-as in a Mikveh-after which it was cleansed of all evil.  When Noah stepped out of the ark, he stepped into a brand new world; no condemnation ground, with a rainbow in the sky proclaiming no more judgment!
 

That's pretty much what baptism symbolizes: That we died with Christ, were buried and raised to newness of life.  We came up out of the water, showing those in witness, that we now stand on no-curse ground, cleansed of all sin, with a rainbow over our heads.....no more condemnation.....FOREVER!  HALLELUIA!!!
(For more on this topic, follow this link:  http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-covenant-of-rainbow.html)
 

Thank you, Jesus!  You are our "Mikveh!"