Leviticus 13:40-59 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is Leviticus 13:40-59. Let’s go!
Leviticus 13:40-46 (NIV)
40 “When a man has lost his hair and is bald, he is clean.
41 If he has lost his hair from the front of his scalp and has a bald forehead, he is clean.
42 But if he has a reddish-white sore on his bald head or forehead, it is an infectious disease breaking out on his head or forehead.
43 The priest is to examine him, and if the swollen sore on his head or forehead is reddish-white like an infectious skin disease,
44 the man is diseased and is unclean. The priest shall pronounce him unclean because of the sore on his head.
45 “The person with such an infectious disease must wear torn clothes, let his hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of his face and cry out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’
46 As long as he has the infection he remains unclean. He must live alone; he must live outside the camp.
On verses 40-46: In Leviticus 13:45-46 we read of the way in which people with leprosy were kept away from the rest of society: they would need to tear their clothes, cover their faces, cry out “unclean!” whenever anyone came near, and live alone outside the camp away from everyone. Sadly, for the protection of the rest of the community, lepers were treated as the untouchables of Israelite society.
Given this, it is amazing to read about the way Jesus treated lepers. In Luke 5:12-16, a man covered in leprosy sees Jesus and falls with his face to the ground and begs Jesus, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus’ response is, literally, touching. The Bible says Jesus reached out his hand and touched this man, who probably had not felt the touch of another human being in a very long time. When no one else was willing to get near him, let alone touch him, Jesus touched and said, “I am willing. Be clean!” And when Jesus touched the leper, the leprosy left him immediately.
What can we learn from this?
1. Jesus has extraordinary compassion for people who are suffering.
2. Jesus has the power to heal diseases that we cannot heal.
3. Likewise, when we were separated from God because of our condition, it was the power of Jesus’ touch that turned us who were unclean before God into people who are now righteous, clean and restored in God’s sight.
Leviticus 13:47-59 (NIV)
47 “If any clothing is contaminated with mildew–any woolen or linen clothing,
48 any woven or knitted material of linen or wool, any leather or anything made of leather–
49 and if the contamination in the clothing, or leather, or woven or knitted material, or any leather article, is greenish or reddish, it is a spreading mildew and must be shown to the priest.
50 The priest is to examine the mildew and isolate the affected article for seven days.
51 On the seventh day he is to examine it, and if the mildew has spread in the clothing, or the woven or knitted material, or the leather, whatever its use, it is a destructive mildew; the article is unclean.
52 He must burn up the clothing, or the woven or knitted material of wool or linen, or any leather article that has the contamination in it, because the mildew is destructive; the article must be burned up.
53 “But if, when the priest examines it, the mildew has not spread in the clothing, or the woven or knitted material, or the leather article,
54 he shall order that the contaminated article be washed. Then he is to isolate it for another seven days.
55 After the affected article has been washed, the priest is to examine it, and if the mildew has not changed its appearance, even though it has not spread, it is unclean. Burn it with fire, whether the mildew has affected one side or the other.
56 If, when the priest examines it, the mildew has faded after the article has been washed, he is to tear the contaminated part out of the clothing, or the leather, or the woven or knitted material.
57 But if it reappears in the clothing, or in the woven or knitted material, or in the leather article, it is spreading, and whatever has the mildew must be burned with fire.
58 The clothing, or the woven or knitted material, or any leather article that has been washed and is rid of the mildew, must be washed again, and it will be clean.”
59 These are the regulations concerning contamination by mildew in woolen or linen clothing, woven or knitted material, or any leather article, for pronouncing them clean or unclean.
On verses 47-59: These verses show the concern that the Israelites were to have in regards to contamination and the spreading of germs and mildew. According to some scholars, the Israelites’ policies against contamination were ahead of their time.
From a spiritual perspective, these verses remind me of Jude 1:22-23 where it says, “to others show mercy, mixed with fear–hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” Just as we should be cautious not to spread or contract unwanted germs, especially in the wake of things like the coronavirus, may we have a similar attitude toward sin, being careful not to allow sinful thoughts and habits to contaminate our hearts, minds and habits.
Thank You Jesus that You have a heart to reach out and touch those who have been excluded, looked down upon, or mistreated. Thank You that You reach out Your hand and touch all of us who, because of our sinful condition, had no right to come near You. And by Your touch we are healed. Thank You for the healing You make available to us when we come to You. Jesus, You are amazing! Since You gave up Your life so that we would not be burdened by sin anymore, may we be careful to keep ourselves free from sinful thoughts and habits. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
