Comparison of leprosy and sin: Horrible, painful and unsightly as it numbs, cripples, deadens and destroys the soul of man
In chapter 14 it's interesting that we don't see the healing of the leprosy. We see the cleansing of the leper and the restoration of that person to the company of God's people
Why is that important? Restoration requires more than outward change. It requires a cleansing which only obedience to God's law can bring.
God's law for man then and now provides the way back for those who have been separated from Him
Verses 1-3: Outside the camp (We must go out among the unclean!)
Verses 4-7: This ritual has some things in common with other rituals used to remove sin or impurity
Two living and clean birds - pigeons or turtledoves. In common with the two goats on the Day of Atonement (Chapter 16)
Cedar - perhaps juniper. Known to have medicinal value
Scarlet - in KJV and NKJV, RSV added "stuff," NIV, "yarn," NAS "string," others have "material" or "thread"
Origin: coccus ilicus - A crimson or scarlet worm, looks like a grub. Female lays eggs on a tree, attaches herself to the tree over the eggs for protection. As larvae consume her body, blood runs down the tree, staining it. Harvested at the right time, the blood is used to dye fabric
The Hebrew word is pronounced as "shaw-nee," meaning crimson, the insect of its color or material dyed with it. Same word is used in Psalm 22:6, "But I am a worm and not a man..."
Scarlet thread: Genesis 38:27-30 - sons of Judah and Tamar were being born. Midwife tied thread to Zerah then Perez was born first. Jesus came from the lineage of Perez (Matthew 1:3)
Scarlet was part of the tabernacle curtains (Exodus 26:1) and the High Priest's ephod (Exodus 28:6)
Rahab the Harlot (Joshua 2:18) "Tie this cord of scarlet in the window"
Blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:22) "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness"
Hyssop - Note that in Numbers 19 a red heifer is sacrificed. Cedar, hyssop and scarlet were tied together and thrown on the burning cow. When it was all burned to ash, the ash was used to purify water
Used as an antiseptic (Psalm 51) and also as a cough reliever
The process - One bird was killed over running (living) water. Bird's blood was mixed with the water and collected in the vessel. The other bird, cedar, scarlet and hyssop were dipped in that blood. Blood was then sprinkled on the person being cleansed
Meaning? No inspired explanation is given. Sprinkling of the dead bird's blood may represent the cleansing of the diseased person just as sprinkled blood was used in seeking atonement for sin
Freed bird may symbolize the person was no longer imprisoned by the disease but was free to go where he wanted. May also represent freedom from possible death they faced
Or, placing the dead bird's blood on the person and the living bird, "the ritual impurity was transferred from the person to the living bird, via the blood of the slain bird and the living bird carried the impurity away."
Verse 10: Healed person was allowed in the camp on the 8th day. Special significance in this book, marking a new beginning and is generally associated with rest and celebration (verse 23; 9:1, 3; 12:3; 15:14, 29; 22:27; 23:36, 39)
Verses 11-13: A trespass offering was given. Why?
The afflicted person had been absent from the community and was separated from God by not being allowed in the Holy Place
Verses 18-20: Sin offering and burnt offering given. Making atonement
Third time in three verses it's stated these sacrifices made atonement. "He shall be clean."
Verses 21-32: Provisions for the poor are made. Birds are substituted for lambs
Verses 33-53: Deal with homes
Note the promise in 34, "When you have come into the land of Canaan"
Verses 43-47: An incurable case
Verses 48-53: Cleansing rituals
Ted Thrasher in The Cleansing of Leprosy wrote, "Surely we can see God's great provision for our cleansing, restoration and fellowship with Him and the faithful in the comparisons of His dealing with leprosy. God has provided the cleansing blood of His only Son. We can all have fellowship with Him and the righteous when we are cleansed of our sins, put on the clean garments of righteousness and remain faithful."
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