Chapter 14
Leviticus 14 - GENERAL REMARKS - The fact that there are laws for the pronouncement of a former leper as clean demonstrates that there is room for miraculous divine intervention. There is no remedy given in the Bible for leprosy. We must assume that any cleansing was divine and miraculous.
Leviticus 14:2 - Notice the tense of the word "he shall be brought." Someone else is to bring him to the priest. Twice in the previous chapter the same word and tense is employed (13:2,9). This tells us a little about how cases of leprosy should be treated. They are village affairs. The person is not to face the stress of diagnosis before the priest alone, and neither is he to rejoice in his healing alone. The Apostle says, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15). The sense of community has been lost in the Western Christian world. There is also the sense of adherence to the law of God. Having someone there with the leper ensures that the leper will go through with what is required of him. Thus, it is a measure of preservation for his soul. As humans, we are all prone to leave the path of God when things get tough. This means of preservation helps the leper to persevere in the path of God, which is also the path of life - even if it means suffering or physical death. The warning passages in Hebrews are also means of preservation. We read them and think, "I do not want to do this!" So we will pay closer attention to our walk with God. We will be diligent to avoid the errors. Thus, we are preserved in our faith.
Leviticus 14:3 - The leper is still outside the city until his healing is confirmed by the priest. Caution is still exhibited.
Leviticus 14:10ff - Notice the connection between leprosy and sin. The Jewish leaders latched onto this connection to condemn those with the disease. But Jesus forgave their sins and cleansed them from the disease.
Leviticus 14:17 & 28 - Here the Lord indicates that on top of the blood of the offering for guilt should be placed the oil. The blood represents cleaning, and the oil is a symbol of the Spirit of God. Thus, in the place that has been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, the Spirit of God is set.
Leviticus 14:34 - There are varying interpretations for the Lord putting a mark of leprosy on a house. None are clear.
Leviticus 14:49 - Notice that the one whose house had to be torn down from leprosy did not have to make a sacrifice for cleansing. Tearing down the house was a form of cleansing, however, the Lord judged that the loss of one's house was sacrifice enough for cleansing.
