Leviticus 13

v1-17: In the laws concerning skin diseases, we are shown our need for Christ. For those who had a skin disease, “the priest could only declare a person ceremonially unclean,” but the Lord Jesus, could make them clean. We all need to be washed in the blood of Christ from our spots, because “spots on the skin are the opposite of the spotless perfection of Christ, and one day of God’s children.”

v18-37: As we read of these different types of skin disease, it is good for us “to mourn the tragic state of our human life, which is exposed to so much suffering. Armies of illnesses seem to surround us - and they all came into the world through sin.”

v38-46: Those who suffered from an infectious skin disease were to “cry out to those they saw at a distance, ‘I am unclean, unclean, do not touch me.’” This was to warn them of the danger, and to stop them from becoming ceremonially unclean themselves. Through this we are shown the weakness of the Law which can “only show us our disease.” Praise God for the gospel which “shows us our help in Christ.”

v47-59: Mildew in clothing shows “the great harm that sin brings.” Sin “not only defiles our conscience, but it also stains everything we work at and enjoy, all we have and do.”

Leviticus 14

v1-9: A person who was pronounced “unclean because of an infectious skin disease was excluded from the community.” If we were “to apply this to the spiritual uncleanness of sin,” it shows that we are to exclude from the membership of the church those who embrace a particular sin and refuse to repent of it. Then as the healed individual was welcomed back into the community, so the repentant excluded member is to be brought back into the fellowship.

v10-20: When a previously unclean person was restored, a purification ceremony took place, which included blood from the sacrifice being “put on the ear, thumb, and big toe of the person cleansed.” Oil was also sprinkled on these places too. It has been suggested that as blood was a sign of forgiveness, oil was a sign of healing. “Wherever the blood of Christ is applied to justify us, the oil of the Spirit is applied to sanctify us, for these two are inseparable and both are necessary for us to be accepted by God.”

v21-32: The law made provision for the cleansing of the poor. An offering was still expected by God “according to their ability.” Christ and His saving work is to be offered to all people, and we are not to show favouritism.

v33-53: The laws concerning mildew in a house was for their future settlement in the Promised Land. We learn here that “corruption should be cleaned up promptly, before it spreads,” because if it is allowed to spread, it will destroy the house, as sin not dealt with will “eventually destroy our families and churches.”

v54-57: This law concerning infectious skin diseases and mildew was for Israel, and not for the Gentiles. “In the same way, those who are entrusted with the key of discipline in the church are to judge those only that are within,” that is, who are members of the church. But those that outside the church, God judges.