Leprosy A Picture of Sin Leviticus 13

 

Leviticus 13 - Leprosy

 

Leprosy was a feared disease. God had concern for the leper and made certain he or she was treated with dignity.  God gave the priest all the information needed to detect the disease and make sure it did not spread.  In the Bible, leprosy is a picture of sin.  The disease was not on the surface; like sin, it was deeper than the skin. Leprosy spreads in the system and makes the person unclean, so much that he had to be isolated. Leprosy and running issues of the flesh are accurate symbols of sin in the heart of man.  The diagnosis was not done to prescribe a treatment, it was a religious ritual. Any sin, either small or great, should be brought immediately to our High Priest, who is also the Great Physician.  He has made a thorough inspection of us and has made a diagnosis.  “All have sinned.” Leprosy is a fitting symbol of sin that separates us from God. The Great Physician looks on the human family and pronounces it unclean.  He does this so that we might come to Him for cleansing.  There was no hurry to make a judgement back then and even now “God is slow to anger” in His relationship with us.  God is very patient, and He grants every opportunity to the sinner. God will give the sinner a thousand chances. If that is what it takes. A leper was declared unclean and was shut out.  If it was chronic leprosy he was certain a leper.  There are sinners today that are so hardened that even their best friends can’t convince them of their sins.  These people are slaves to their sins and only the Lord can help them. Sometimes there are church members who are unsaved and don’t believe they are sinners.  The hardened sinner is easier to reach than these unsaved church members. However, it is certain that no sinner is hopeless. Isaiah 1:18 says “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Our old sins were judged on the cross. When sin manifests itself in a believer, God must judge it.  Only that which the Holy Spirit produces in the life of the believer is acceptable to God. Some old sins pop back into a person’s life repeatedly.  It is not our place to judge, but to remind them that they have a Savior and will forgive.  God is willing to heal even the old sins that manifest repeatedly.

 

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