Through the Bible: Leviticusনমুনা

Jesus Restores Our Fellowship with God and Man

The priest is to go outside the camp and examine them. If they have been healed of their defiling skin disease, the priest shall order that two live clean birds and some cedar wood, scarlet yarn and hyssop be brought for the person to be cleansed.

Leviticus 14:3-4 (NIV)

On the eighth day, they must bring two male lambs and one ewe lamb a year old each without defect, along with three-tenths of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with olive oil for a grain offering, and one log of oil.

Leviticus 14:10 (NIV)

Leprosy was a dreaded skin disease in ancient times. The leper, considered ceremonially unclean, was isolated and forced to live apart from others. From the description of rites and ceremonies performed and sacrifices offered, the man had to go through purification, cleansing, and bring the same offering he would have brought for a sin. Leprosy therefore symbolized sin. Here are three observations:

1. Leprosy led to isolation from community life and worship in the same way sin cuts us off from fellowship with God and with one another

2. The priest’s role was not to heal but to perform ceremonial cleansing and offer sacrifices only after a person is declared clean. Contrast this with Jesus, our High Priest who healed the leper(s) (Matt 8:1-4; Luke 17:11-14), thus bearing witness that He is God

3. Even after cleansing and sacrifices, one could enter the camp, dwell in his own tent, and approach the tabernacle (Lev 14:8, 11) only after a certain number of days - a reminder of the holiness He desired for those who lived among His people.

Prayer:

Father God, thank You for Jesus, the Lamb of God sacrificed for our sins, who has restored our fellowship with You and with one another. In Jesus’ name, amen.