Leviticus 13-14

The first part of chapter 13 provides instructions for diagnosing infectious skin diseases from non-infections skin diseases, rashes, and other minor blemishes. Since there were no medical treatments for these diseases, the most effective approach was isolation. Quarantine provided an opportunity for the person to get better (or not), but either way it was effective in preventing the spread of the infection to others. Those that remained unclean had to live separately from the rest of the community. A terrible fate to be sure, but one that was necessary to provide for the greater good of the people.

The last part of chapter 13 addresses what to do with fabrics, the warp and woof (that is, the threads or yarn used for weaving), and other items contaminated with mildew or a fungus. Like people so infected, such articles were to be washed and reexamined periodically. If the mildew or fungus subsided, they were acceptable for use again. If not, they were to be burned. Like the dietary laws and the laws concerning skin diseases, these commands served to protect the people from sickness, while at the same time minimizing the loss of useful goods.

In chapter 14 we find instructions for the ceremonial cleansing of people from their skin diseases and of their houses from mildew. In both cases, when the person or house was determined by the priest to be clean, sacrifices and offerings were prepared and presented to the Lord. Sickness is often symbolic of sin in the Scriptures, so it is no surprise that the offerings associated with a person being made physically clean were similar to those being made spiritually clean.

Understanding these regulations gives us a greater appreciation for Jesus’ healing of those with serious skin diseases, such as in Mark 1:40. In this episode, a man falls at Jesus’ feet and begs, “If you are willing, you can make me clean”. Instead of turning away in fear or disgust, Jesus does the unthinkable, he reaches out and touches the man and says, “I am willing. Be made clean.” He then tells the man to go and show himself to the priest and make the offerings prescribed by Moses, the same ones we see in these chapters of Leviticus. Here we see a picture of Jesus as our great high priest and the healer of our souls. We need to come to him regularly, saying, “If you are willing, you can make me clean”. We already know what his answer will be.

You can read Leviticus 13-14 here.