Leprosy

Leviticus 13:1-46; 14:1-32

INTRODUCTION:  Leprosy is used in scripture as a type of sin.  Leprosy is a disease which a person acquires.  Yet, over and over again in the Bible, it is said to be an uncleanness from which one must be cleansed.  In our lesson, this cleansing requires the leper to make a trespass offering (14:12) and a sin offering (14:19) in order to make atonement for him who is to be cleansed (14:19).  We, too, must be cleansed of the leprosy of our sin by the blood of Jesus Christ.

I.          THE CHARACTER OF LEPROSY (13:1-43)

            A.            The Plague Turns the Hair White (v.3, 20)

                  1.            Hair turning white is an indication of aging (Pr.20:29)

                  2.            Leprosy causes a type of preliminary aging

                  3.            Sin causes us to age and is the cause of death (Rom.6:23)

            B.            The Plague is Deeper Than the Skin (v.3, 20, 30)

1.       The plague of leprosy is more than just a surface problem that can be ignored or that will go away

2.       Sin is deeper than the skin and is much more serious than most people think (Rom.7:11-13)

            C.            The Plague Spreads in the Skin (v.8, 22, 27)

                  1.            Leprosy cannot be controlled by normal means; it just keeps spreading

2.       Man cannot control sin; it gets out of control before he knows it (Pr.14:12)

            D.            The Plague Causes Raw Flesh to Appear (v.10, 14)

1.       Most diseases occur under the skin or on top of the skin; leprosy is deeper than the skin (point B above) but it also causes raw flesh to appear; it exposes the flesh

2.       The reason sin can never be truly fixed by man is because it is a natural result of his flesh (Jn.6:63; Rom.7:18; 8:8; Gal.5:16-21)

II.          THE CONDITION OF THE LEPER (13:44-46)

            A.            He is Pronounced Unclean (v.44)

            B.            His Clothes are Rent (v.45)

            C.            His Head is Uncovered (v.45; cp.10:6)

            D.            He Must Put a Covering on His Upper Lip (v.45; Isa.6:5)

            E.            He Must Cry “Unclean, Unclean” (v.45)

            F.            He Must Dwell Along (v.46; Lk.17:12)

            G.            He Must Dwell Without the Camp (v.46; cp.Eph.2:12)

III.         THE CLEANSING OF THE LEPER (14:1-32)

            A.            He Presents Himself to be Examined by the Priest (v.1-3)

            B.            He Brings Two Birds to the Priest (v.4-7)

                  1.            What he brings (v.4)

                           a.            Two birds alive and clean

                           b.            Cedar wood

                           c.            Scarlet

                           d.            Hyssop

                  2.            The first bird killed (v.5)

                           a.            In an earthen vessel

                           b.            Over running water

                  3.            The second bird released (v.6-7)

                           a.            Taken with the other items (v.6)

                           b.            Dipped in the blood of the first bird (v.6)

                           c.            The blood sprinkled on the leper seven times (v.7)

NOTE:  The number seven is mentioned in the passage on leprosy (Lev.13-14) exactly 14 times; it points to perfection in the cleansing of the leper

                           d.            The living bird released in the field (v.7)

            C.            He Cleanses Himself Externally (v.8-9)

                  1.            He washes his clothes

                  2.            He shaves off his hair

                  3.            He washes himself

                  4.            He waits seven days

                  5.            He shaves off his hair

                  6.            He washes his clothes

                  7.            He washes himself

            D.            He Brings Offerings to the Priest (v.10-13)

                  1.            His offering (v.10)

                           a.            Two he lambs

                           b.            One ewe lamb

                           c.            Three tenth deals of flour for a meat offering

                  2.            He is presented before the Lord (v.11)

                  3.            The offerings are made by the priest (v.12-13)

                           a.            A trespass offering (v.12)

                           b.            A wave offering (v.12)

                           c.            A sin offering (v.13)

                           d.            A burnt offering (v.13)

            E.            He has Blood and Oil Applied by the Priest (v.14-18)

                  1.            The application of blood (v.14)

                           a.            From the trespass offering

                           b.            On his right ear, right hand and right foot

                  2.            The application of oil (v.15-18)

                           a.            From the log of oil (v.15)

                           b.            The sprinkling of oil seven times (v.16)

                           c.            Its application on his right ear, right hand and right foot (v.17)

                           d.            The anointing of his head with oil (v.18)

            F.            He has Atonement Made for Him by the Priest (v.19-32)

                  1.            He is cleansed from his uncleanness (v.19-20)

                  2.            A way is made for the poor to be cleansed (v.21-32)

CONCLUSION:  Other Bible stories about lepers and leprosy are 1) the signs given to Moses (Ex.4:1-8); 2) the judgment of Miriam (Num.12:1-16); 3) the cleansing of Naaman (2Kgs.5:1-14); 4) the judgment of Gehazi (2Kgs.5:15-27); 5) the four leprous beggars (2Kgs.7:3-11); 6) the judgment of Uzziah (2Chr.26:16-21); 7) the cleansing of the leper (Mt.8:1-4; Mk.1:40-45; Lk.5:12-16); 8) the cleansing of the ten lepers (Lk.17:11-19).  The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from the leprosy of sin.  Praise the Lord!

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