Remember, leprosy, in Scripture, is a picture of sin. There was no known way to cure it. In today’s chapter however, the man who had leprosy is pronounced clean. Here is a wonderful thing — the story we will now read is the story (in type) of Christ’s death and resurrection! No one but God could have inspired such a Book as the Bible.
V.1-3 The leper is outside the camp of Israel. He had been unclean. Now he is clean. But he cannot come in — the priest must go out to him and pronounce him clean.
V.4 Here is the wonderful part of the story. Firstly, two living and clean birds (like sparrows) are brought to the priest. Secondly, 3 strange things are to be brought also (v. 4) (1) cedar wood — in Scripture, a picture of strength and stability (Psa. 92:12), (2) scarlet — earthly grandeur and Israel’s royalty. See Ex. 39:1-29 for the High Priest’s garments of glory and beauty. (3) Hyssop — a little flower which grew plentifully on walls (a picture of lowliness), often used for sprinkling the unclean (Ex. 12:22). It was a contrast with (1).
V.5-7 Beautiful to see these 2 birds as types of the Lord Jesus in death and resurrection. One bird is killed, the living bird is dipped into the blood of the dead bird (as are the 3 things, mentioned above). The living bird (with blood on it), is let loose into the open field (resurrection of Christ). In Romans 4:25 you will see these two birds in type.
V.7. The leper is sprinkled 7 times and so the believer is covered by the blood of Christ and stands in all the acceptance of Christ before God (Heb. 10:14). This gives us peace with God.
V.7-9 The leper has been cleansed by the water and the blood. (Read John 19:34; 1 John 5:6).
V.10-32 Now begins the long process of going through the different offerings which are described in the first 7 chapters of this book. When we accept the Lord Jesus as our Savior, we are cleansed forever from our sins. But now that we are cleansed, it does not mean that we can live as we did before. Now our life is not our own, for we have been bought with the price of the blood of Christ. Read what it says after the word “therefore” in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Salvation depends on the cleansing power of the blood of Christ, but communion with God depends on the purifying work of Christ. Blood and water (Read Heb. 10:22).