Read Leviticus 14 – 15
Highlights:
Purification after having skin diseases; signs of leprosy; uncleanness of men and women; sacrifice for cleansing from defilements
The priest shall pronounce him utterly unclean . . . . his clothes shall be rent (torn), and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean. . . . he shall dwell (live) alone; without (outside) the camp shall his habitation be (Leviticus 13:44-46). In his extreme grief and deep humiliation, this poor, wretched person had to pass through the camp for one last time, crying: Unclean! Unclean!
When leprosy first appears, it seems harmless – just a small white or pink spot on the skin and, in its earliest stages, it is totally painless. The spot might remain for months or even years before it begins to develop further. Eventually, leprosy causes an extremely repulsive disfigurement of the entire body, including spongy tumor-like swell-ings on the face and head. The movement of joints causes deep, pain-ful, bleeding fissures. The fingers and toes become misshapen, rough, and ragged. The fingernails swell, curl up, and fall off. And, as lep-rosy progresses, the flesh develops offensive, running sores, and the gums begin to bleed. Eventually, as the years pass, the leper becomes thin and weak, plagued with diarrhea, an incessant thirst, and burning fever.
On one occasion, ten. . . lepers, which stood afar off . . . lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. . . . And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and . . . glorified God. . . . And He (Jesus) said . . . Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole (Luke 17:12-13,15,19).
Leprosy illustrates how insignificant a sin may first appear but how dreadful, loathsome, and fatal it can become. Sin immediately separates us from God, for it makes us “unclean.” People controlled by sin exist in a state of living death, unless they turn to Christ, truly repent, and forsake their sins.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:7,9).
Thought For The Day: Disease and sickness give opportunity to minister to our brothers and sisters.
Word Studies:
14:8 tarry abroad, stay outside his tent; 14:32 whose hand is not able, who cannot afford; 14:37 lower than the wall, below the surface of the plaster; 15:2 running issue, discharge; 15:33 of her flowers, with her monthly period.
Christ Portrayed: By the priest who made atonement for the leper (Leviticus 14:20). Our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement (reconciliation) (Romans 5:11).
Prayer Suggestion: Read, study, and listen to the Word of God so that your prayers will be answered (Proverbs 28:9).
Optional Reading: Mark 9
Memory Verse for the Week: Hebrews 4:12
