‏ Leviticus 14

* Of declaring the leper to be clean. (1-9) The sacrifices to be

offered by him. (10-32) The leprosy in a house. (33-53) Summary

of the law concerning leprosy. (54-57)

1-9 The priests could not cleanse the lepers; but when the Lord

removed the plague, various rules were to be observed in

admitting them again to the ordinances of God, and the society

of his people. They represent many duties and exercises of truly

repenting sinners, and the duties of ministers respecting them.

If we apply this to the spiritual leprosy of sin, it intimates

that when we withdraw from those who walk disorderly, we must

not count them as enemies, but admonish them as brethren. And

also that when God by his grace has brought to repentance, they

ought with tenderness and joy, and sincere affection, to be

received again. Care should always be taken that sinners may not

be encouraged, nor penitents discouraged. If it were found that

the leprosy was healed, the priest must declare it with the

particular solemnities here described. The two birds, one

killed, and the other dipped in the blood of the bird that was

killed, and then let loose, may signify Christ shedding his

blood for sinners, and rising and ascending into heaven. The

priest having pronounced the leper clean from the disease, he

must make himself clean from all remains of it. Thus those who

have comfort of the remission of their sins, must with care and

caution cleanse themselves from sins; for every one that has

this hope in him, will be concerned to purify himself. 10-32 The cleansed leper was to be presented to the Lord, with

his offerings. When God has restored us to enjoy public worship

again, after sickness, distance, or otherwise, we should testify

our thanksgiving by our diligent use of the liberty. And both we

and our offerings must be presented before the Lord, by the

Priest that made us clean, even our Lord Jesus. Beside the usual

rites of the trespass-offering, some of the blood, and some of

the oil, was to be put upon him that was to be cleansed.

Wherever the blood of Christ is applied for justification, the

oil of the Spirit is applied for sanctification; these two

cannot be separated. We have here the gracious provision the law

made for poor lepers. The poor are as welcome to God's altar as

the rich. But though a meaner sacrifice was accepted from the

poor, yet the same ceremony was used for the rich; their souls

are as precious, and Christ and his gospel are the same to both.

Even for the poor one lamb was necessary. No sinner could be

saved, had it not been for the Lamb that was slain, and hath

redeemed us to God with his blood. 33-53 The leprosy in a house is unaccountable to us, as well as

the leprosy in a garment; but now sin, where that reigns in a

house, is a plague there, as it is in a heart. Masters of

families should be aware, and afraid of the first appearance of

sin in their families, and put it away, whatever it is. If the

leprosy is got into the house, the infected part must be taken

out. If it remain in the house, the whole must be pulled down.

The owner had better be without a dwelling, than live in one

that was infected. The leprosy of sin ruins families and

churches. Thus sin is so interwoven with the human body, that it

must be taken down by death. 54-57 When that God who is rich in mercy, for his great love

wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath

quickened us by his grace, #Eph 2:4,5|, we shall manifest the

change by repenting, and forsaking former sins. Let us follow

after holiness, and let us compassionate other poor lepers, and

desire, seek, and pray for their cleansing.