Leprous Raiment Lev. 13:47-59
So apt to spread is the taint of sin, that the concluding paragraph of our chapter is devoted to leprosy in raiment made of any material, or a skin serving the like purpose.
“And if a sore of leprosy is in raiment, in woolen raiment or linen raiment, either in warp or in woof, of linen, or of woolen, or in a skin or anything made of skin; and the sore is greenish or reddish in raiment or in the skin, or in the warp or in the woof, or in anything of skin; it [is] the sore of leprosy and shall be shown to the priest. And the priest shall look on the sore, and shut up [what hath] the sore seven days. And he shall look on the sore on the seventh day: if the sore have spread in the raiment, either in the warp or in the woof, or in the skin, whatever work is made of skin, the sore [is] a corroding leprosy; it [is] unclean. And they shall burn the raiment, or the warp or the woof, of woolen or of linen, or anything of skin, wherein the sore is; for it [is] a corroding leprosy; it shall be burned with fire. But the priest shall look, and, behold, [if ] the sore hath not spread in the raiment, either in the warp or in the woof, or in anything of skin, then the priest shall command that they wash [the thing] wherein the sore [is], and he shall shut it up seven days a second time. And the priest shall look on the sore after the washing; and, behold, [if] the sore have not changed its appearance (lit, eye), and the sore have not spread, it [is] unclean: thou shalt burn it with fire: it [is] a fret [on what is] threadbare or napless (lit. bald in head or forehead). But if the priest look, and, behold, the sore be dim after the washing thereof, then he shall rend it out of the raiment or out of the skin, or out of the warp or out of the woof. And if it appear still in the raiment, either in the warp or in the woof, or in anything of skin, it [is] a breaking out: thou shalt burn with fire that wherein the sore [is]. But the raiment, either the warp or the woof, or whatever thing of skin which thou hast washed, and the sore departeth from them, it shall be washed a second time, and be clean. This [is] the law of the sore of leprosy in raiment of wool or linen, either in the warp or in the woof, or in anything of skin, to pronounce it clean or to pronounce it unclean” (vers. 47-59).
Thus according to the law of Jehovah leprosy might betray itself in a man's external circumstances, typified by his apparel, whatever this might be, as well as in his person. Everywhere it must be dealt with, but not on such moral grounds as an Israelite might apply. Its appearance was for the priest to discern. It was for him to see and pronounce according to the law of Jehovah which bound him as well as the suspected thing. The appearance of leprosy externally as well as in the person were too serious to be ignored or put off. In Israel the priest must be consulted without fail or delay; but he must look into it as before God and speak accordingly.
We have the authority of the inspired Jude (23) for giving this type a present bearing. For what else is the allusion in “hating even the raiment spotted by the flesh?” Of course the language is figurative in the Epistle; but figures are used in scripture as in all other communications, not for enfeebling the sense but to make it vivid and impressive. So it is in the scriptural phrases, derived from O. T. types of washing us, whether in water or in blood: both are used and carefully distinguished, and the truth meant by each is of the greatest moment. But the allusion in that solemn warning of the departure, not only from righteousness but from grace and the faith once delivered to the saints, may help souls to see that every scripture is not only God-breathed but profitable as the apostle says.
The surroundings of a man lay bare his leprosy. Our ways may display even more than our words. People talk about the heart being all right as an excuse for what stumbles in the eye, the hand, or the foot. The Lord, who really searches the heart and can alone judge as He soon will, pronounces now that each or all must be got rid of at all cost, rather than keeping all to be sent into the everlasting fire, the Gehenna of fire. Habits disclose the deadly taint very plainly; but it is the spiritual man who alone can truly discern. Such have the mind of Christ, who indeed is “the priest” to pronounce absolutely. But even with Him, though unfailing, there is no haste. He did not speak from Himself, but the things which He heard from His Father. He would impress on us the divine authority of the word, that what we say or do be in obedience. If the circumstances are persistently bad, they must be absolutely judged. Nothing less than “burning” will do as ordered by the priest on God's part. If “washing” avail to correct, a further application is enjoined, and if the change more appear, the priest pronounces clean. If not, all is wrong, for it is leprosy. The standing type of sin, at least in the O.T. aspect, is thus carried out beyond the person to his environment; and there the surroundings might disclose the fatal taint. Wherever it was discerned by the spiritual eye, immediate and unsparing judgment must follow.