“Go to your room” meant something in the pre-computer days. It was a place to force a child to contemplate misbehavior and, hopefully, feel shamed by the rejection and hurt by the temporary loss of fellowship with the family.

But when temporary punishment doesn’t work expulsion from the family may be necessary. It won’t be easy, but for the child’s sake, as well as the family, it must be done. The Old Testament law describes it as a necessity for the family, and community. But it wasn’t just for lawbreakers. People with contagious diseases were sent outside the camp to protect the community (Leviticus 13:46). Ashes and viscera from sacrifices were carried outside the camp for disposal (Leviticus 4:11=12).

Outside the camp became synonymous with the exclusion of unclean people and things. It was also the place for executions. Jesus brought all those Old Testament types together with his death “outside the camp” (Hebrews 13:10-13). And that’s where we have to go to meet him: outside the Jewish and worldly camps.