Originally posted: 05/10/2019
“As for the leper who has the infection, his clothes shall be torn, and the hair of his head shall be uncovered, and he shall cover his mustache and cry, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ 46 He shall remain unclean all the days during which he has the infection; he is unclean. He shall live alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp,” (13:45-46).
The treatment seemed harsh, His Inauguration of Isolation; but leprosy was a disease that would ravage and consume the entire camp if left unchecked.
The camp was to be the place where God would dwell with His people, the place of His Presence. As we seek Him in the pages of this book of the Holy Scriptures, it is vital to remember Leviticus is a continual proclamation of the Holiness of God, the unholiness of man, the seriousness of sin, and the drastic measures required to eradicate and atone for sin in the place of His Presence.
The following is an excerpt from the NIV Study Bible, and provides further explanation on this Theological Theme expounded throughout Leviticus:
Leviticus is a manual of regulations enabling the holy King to set up His earthly throne among the people of His kingdom. It explains how they are to be His holy people and to worship in in a holy manner. Holiness in this sense means to be separated from sin and set apart exclusively to the Lord for His purpose, in His service and for His glory… In Leviticus spiritual holiness is symbolized in physical perfection. (NIV Study Bible, page 146)
Consider His Inauguration of Isolation
His Inauguration of Isolation was determined a necessity by the priest.
His Inauguration of Isolation was a place of mourning and humiliation.
His Inauguration of Isolation was a place of solitude and separation.
His Inauguration of Isolation would prevent further contamination.
How do we respond to His Inauguration of Isolation?
God, in His care for the Israelites living in a less than sanitary and safe wilderness, regulated strict parameters to prevent the spread of any infection. The slightest appearance of the deadly disease demanded an exhaustive examination by the priest.
Leprosy is often a symbol of sin in the Bible, and we can glean much from His Inauguration of Isolation that instituted this radical and harsh treatment of leprosy.
- His Inauguration of Isolation was determined a necessity by the priest: Today, it is the Holy Spirit Who examines the faith of all to determine whether each one is clean or unclean. Let us truthfully consider what His examination reveals about us.
- “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; 11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. 12 I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth…” (John 16:7-13).
- His Inauguration of Isolation was a place of mourning and humiliation: When we place our faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit indwells us; but the sad reality is, we still sin; and sin grieves the Holy Spirit. Does the thought of grieving Holy God bring us to a state of mourning and humiliation, leading us to confession and repentance?
- Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption, (Ephesians 4:30).
- When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away
Through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer.
5 I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I did not hide;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”;
And You forgave the guilt of my sin, (Psalm 32:3-5).
- His Inauguration of Isolation was a place of solitude and separation: Although it may not be a physical separation, our sin will separate us from fellowship with God and with other believers, resulting in a sense of loneliness and isolation. Repentance restores us to fellowship within the camp.
- But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God,
And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear, (Isaiah 59:2). - Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
And sustain me with a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners will be converted to You, (Psalm 51:10-13).
- But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God,
- His Inauguration of Isolation would prevent further contamination: We must not take sin lightly; left unchecked sin will ravage and consume an individual, a family, a church, a community, a nation. Let us learn from God’s treatment of leprosy through His Inauguration of Isolation. We must be alert to small beginnings of compromise and radically deal with our sin so as to stop the threat of further contamination.
- “But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out,” (Numbers 32:23).
- If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, (1 John 1:8-9).
- Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1).
Oh that we would be ever mindful that He is Holy! Let us live intentionally to worship Him in holiness, never losing sight that He has set us apart exclusively to Himself for His Purpose, in His Service, and for His Glory.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come before Him;
Worship the Lord in holy array, (1 Chronicles 16:29).
…so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification, (Romans 6:19).