In chapter 13 we looked at the leper and the characteristics of leprosy. Now in chapter 14 the focus changes to rituals on the "cleansing" of the leper. The examination by the priest (vv.1-3), the sacrifice required (vv.4-7), the instructions on the seven days of cleansing of the lepers body (vv.8-9), and finally the eighth day rituals (vv.10-32).
On the eighth day from the start of the rituals upon the cleansing of a leper, the leper brought three lambs (two male and one female), along with flour and oil for sacrifice. This was a considerable expense, and since most lepers were not prosperous (the disease was isolating from the community and normally lasted a long time), a provision was made for the poor leper (vv.21-32).
As we saw back in chapter 13, it was the priest who declared a leper clean or unclean (13:3, 13:6, 13:8, 13:11, 13:13, 13:17, 13:20). It is in this sense that the priest “made” a leper clean; by judging his condition in light of God’s revealed instructions (His Word). Even though this leper had been declared physically clean, there was still cleansing to be done. Lepers still had to follow the sacrifices and rituals (which pointed to the perfect work of the Messiah to come) before they would be declared spiritually clean by the priest through the blood of the sin offering (a foreshadowing of Jesus' sacrificial death for all).
Since leprosy is a picture of sin, we see how this ritual has spiritual application to every sinner that Jesus cleanses, restores, and sets free. As the Apostle wrote, "We are bought with the price of His precious blood, and should therefore glorify God with our bodies." (1 Corinthians 6:20). And later in the Book of Ephesians chapter 2 Paul writes, "we were all dead in our transgressions and sins, but God who is rich in mercy made us alive in Christ." Hallelujah!
The Truth: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our LORD." (Romans 6:23)
