Leviticus 13
-Chapter 13 discusses in unpleasant detail the tests for
spotting and dealing with leprosy in the camp of Israel. The LORD speaks these
directions for His chosen people directly to Moses and Aaron, the brother of
Moses (Exodus 4:14, Leviticus 13:1). Leprosy is a name applied to various
diseases during those days and was greatly feared because of its potential for
fatality. These diseases were highly contagious. It is interesting that it was
the priests who acted as doctors for determining these matters in this theocratic
form of government. They were given exact things to look for in making an
assessment based on the rule and omniscience of God, who knows all things well.
The tests included swelling, scabs, bright spots, discoloring, and infections
on the skin. They also involved boils, the coloring of hairs, and defects below
the skin level. Not only were the stipulations for the bodies of men and women
covered, but their garments as well. Tainted clothes with the disease were to
be burned with fire thus destroying the contamination.
-Lepers who had the infections were to tear their clothes,
uncover their hair of their head, cover any facial hair, and cry out to the
camp, “Unclean! Unclean!” They were to
dwell outside of the camp alone to thwart the spreading of the disease
(Leviticus 13:45-46). Today this may seem inhumane and ostracizing, but drastic
situations called for drastic measures. If healed, the people were restored at
the priests’ discretion after allowing for the proper time to inspect by God’s
given Law. These practices were well in force even in Jesus’ time as denoted by
accounts in the New Testament (Matthew 8:2-4, Mark 1:40-44, Luke 5:12-14;
17:11-17).
-*Application* Leprosy is often illustrated in the Bible as
a type and symbol for sin. Just like leprosy, sin can be very contagious, it is
absolutely destructive, and it leads to separation. The theme of holiness
reigns supreme once again in this passage when we consider how this disease
relates spiritually to iniquity.
Verse to Memorize:
Leviticus 13:2
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