Leviticus 14:1-32
Q.1. What was the law regarding how the leper was to mark his cleansing? How would this impact on the cleansed leper? – (Lev.14:1-20)
There were rigorous rules to protect Israel’s camp from disease. Where a healing was claimed – the priest shall go out to the outside of the camp. Thus, the priest shall look, and if the infection of leprosy has been healed then the priest shall give orders to take two live clean birds and cedar wood and a scarlet string and hyssop for the one who is to be cleansed (Lev.14:3-4). One bird would be slain and the blood transferred ceremonially to the living bird. Then, after the cleansed leper was sprinkled seven times, the live bird was set free (Lev.14:5-7). The cleansed leper – shall wash his clothes and shave off all his hair and bathe in water and be clean (Lev.14:7). He could enter the camp but had to stay outside his tent for another seven days (Lev.14:8). After repeating the process, he was presented by the priest before the tent of meeting where the priest offered – two male lambs without defect and a yearling ewe without defect and three tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering, and one pint of oil (Lev.14:10). Both the blood of the sacrificed lamb and the oil were ceremonially applied to the cleansed leper’s right ear, right thumb, and right great toe (Lev.14:12-18). Finally – the priest shall next offer the sin offering and make atonement for the one to be cleansed from his uncleanness … and he will be clean (Lev.14:19-20). It was an exacting process that would not soon be forgotten by the cleansed leper.
Q.2. How did God instruct poor sufferers to be cleansed? Is this consistent with the Bible’s revelation of God? – (Lev.14:21-32)
God made it possible for all to be cleansed, including the poor. He reduced the offering to … two young pigeons which are within his means, the one shall be a sin offering and the other a burnt offering (Lev.14:22 & 30). Guidelines were specified for the offerings, including the application of blood and oil to the right ear, right thumb, and right great toe of the one being cleansed (Lev.14:24-29). Atonement was accessible to all. It is recorded – This is the law for him in whom there is an infection of leprosy, whose means are limited for his cleansing (Lev.14:32). This showed again that God is a God of mercy and grace, from the beginning to the end.