Leprosy

Suggested Readings to Read Through the Bible in One Year

Thursday February 7 Leviticus 13:1-59

Friday February 8 Leviticus 14:1- 15:33

Saturday February 9 Leviticus 16:1- 18:30

Sunday February 10 Leviticus 19:1- 21:24

Monday February 11 Leviticus 22:1- 23:44

Tuesday February 12 Leviticus 24:1- 25:55

Wednesday February 13 Leviticus 26:1- 27:34

Thursday February 14 Numbers 1:1- 2:34

Friday February 15 Numbers 3:1- 4:49

Saturday February 16 Numbers 5:1- 6:27

Thursday February 7 Leviticus 13:1-59

Todays reading is not one of the chapters we turn to when looking for a text to preach an inspiring sermon from. The chapter reads like a warning from the local health department. It is evidence that God was concerned about every aspect of life for this group of people he has chosen to call his own. Leprosy, or Hansens disease, could be a very devastating plague if it were allowed to get a hold in the general population of people. It was a disease that was fatal, and there was no known cure besides the miracle healing power of God. So it was important that the Israelites knew what to do to protect the nation from an outbreak of the disease. The guidelines that God laid down would also protect them from seeing an outbreak of other contagious diseases like measles and chicken pox because they would have quarantined people with rashes on their skin until they knew what they were dealing with.

Todays reading is not one of the chapters we turn to when looking for a text to preach an inspiring sermon from. The chapter reads like a warning from the local health department. It is evidence that God was concerned about every aspect of life for this group of people he has chosen to call his own. Leprosy, or Hansens disease, could be a very devastating plague if it were allowed to get a hold in the general population of people. It was a disease that was fatal, and there was no known cure besides the miracle healing power of God. So it was important that the Israelites knew what to do to protect the nation from an outbreak of the disease. The guidelines that God laid down would also protect them from seeing an outbreak of other contagious diseases like measles and chicken pox because they would have quarantined people with rashes on their skin until they knew what they were dealing with.There is a spiritual lesson in this chapter as well. Leprosy is a picture of sin. Sin will have the same effects on our spirit man as leprosy does on our physical man. Let me point out just a few things about sin.

1. Sin is more than skin deep. It is not something that can be treated with skin lotion. The Bible says

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all thingsand beyond cure.Who can understand it?And then we read in

And then we read inMatthew 15:19-20

And then we read inMatthew 15:19-20For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. [20] These are what make a man 'unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean.' "

And then we read inMatthew 15:19-20.' "Sin comes from deep inside.

2. Sin spreads. Leprosy would start in one spot, but it would take over the body. So it is with sin. Man left to himself is not getting better. We get worse and worse.

3. Sin defiles. In chapters 13 and 14 of Leviticus you read the word "unclean" 54 times. Sin makes us unclean. When Isaiah had an encounter in the presence of the Lord he cries out

Isaiah 6:5

"Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty."

When David prays for forgiveness in Psalm 51, over and over he asks to be washed clean. He understood and confessed that sin had defiled him . . . it made him unclean.

4. Sin isolates. The person with a skin disease was first quarantined. And if the disease continued and was deemed to be leprosy, they were exiled from the people. They had to move outside of the camp. When they came in close proximity to other people they were to cry out "unclean" so that people would know to stay clear of them. Sin always leads to isolation. I have heard people say, I know that I am going to hell, but I will be with my friends. That is not a true picture of the hell Jesus talked about, where there is outer darkness and weeping and gnashing of teeth.

5. Sin is only fit for the fire. When someone was diagnosed with leprosy or a similar skin disease, they were to take their clothes and burn them. They were not to try and clean them just burn them. That is exactly what the Bible says will be the lot of sinners. They will be cast into the eternal lake of fire which is called the second death.

The bad news is we are all sinners. We have all missed the mark - we have all failed to be perfect . . . the good news is there is a savior we can be cured from the leprosy of sin . . . more about that tomorrow in chapter 14!

Thank you Lord that my sins can be forgiven. Thank you for the fact of the cross, and the fact that you have redeemed my life from certain and eternal destruction. Wash me again today in your blood. Forgive me of my sins and help me to walk in obedience to your word today.

Amen.