Leviticus 13:47-14:6
We notice in our chapter that leprosy might appear in a garment or skin, as well as upon a man’s person. This would tell us that there is such a thing as being in an association or position where one is defiled by sinful surroundings. The garment with leprosy in it was therefore to be brought to the priest who was to shut it up seven days. On the seventh day he was to look and see if the leprosy was spreading, and if it was, the garment was to be burned. This would tell us that any association or position which is defiling, and which continually robs us in our souls, should he given up completely, no matter what it costs us.
If, however, after shutting the garment t up it was found that the leprosy was not spreading, it was to be washed and shut up for seven days more. At the end of the seven days the priest was to look again, and if the leprous spot had not changed its color by the washing, it was unclean and had to be burned. It must be given up. If, however, it was changed by the washing, then the leprous spot was to be torn out and the garment could be used. These things would show us that if we apply the Word of God to what we are going on with and thus cleansed from the defilements, we may be able to continue there with God. This is like washing the leprous garment, tearing out the had spot, and then using the clean part left. Some of the things in school life and business life are very defiling, but a Christian does not have to do them. He can apply the Word of God to the situation and refuse, even though he has to suffer for it. Like the garment with a piece torn out, there is a loss, but far better than allowing the whole thing to become leprous. Oh, what needful lessons there are for us here if we are willing to be taught God!
We now come to the cleansing of the leper which is most interesting and instructive. First of all, the leper who was to be cleansed was to be brought to the priest. He did not even have to come himself — he was brought there. How could a helpless sinner do anything for himself? But what joyful news it is for him that Christ has done it all, even to bringing us to Himself by the compelling power of the Spirit of God. Then two living and clean birds were taken, telling us of the Lord Jesus, the sinless One, who came down from heaven; and who now having accomplished redemption has gone back to heaven again.
One of the birds was to be killed in an earthen vessel over running water and so the Lord Jesus who came down from heaven took an earthly body as man, in order that He might die, the Just One for us the unjust, to bring us to God. (1 Peter 3:18.) He perfectly fulfilled the Word of God in it all, like the running water in the type, and has glorified God about the question of sin. Then cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop were taken; as well as the other bird which was still living, and all were dipped in the blood of the bird that had been killed; and then the man who, was to be cleansed was sprinkled with the blood seven times. The cedar was the greatest, tree of the forest, and the hyssop the most insignificant little weed, while the scarlet was the royal color in which kings were arrayed, but all were brought down to one level and dipped in the blood. Yes, the great must come down, and the little man must forget himself in order to be cleansed from his sins.
ML 01/21/1951