The practice of the ceremonial law of “cleanness and uncleanness” is so serious in the Old Testament that it requires the priest (Aaron or one of his sons, v.2) to examine the person and the clothing (vv. 3, 50) and make a judgment call to pronounce whether the person or property is clean or unclean.

In Chapter 10, two sons of Aaron were given very severe punishment because they offered unholy (unauthorized) fire that was not acceptable to the Lord. Chapter 11 gives Israel the laws forbidding them to eat or touch unclean food. And Chapter 12 talks about the uncleanness and need for purification for childbirth.

This chapter continues the theme of cleanness and uncleanness with respect to the skin disease for both the person and the clothing that people wear. When a person has a skin disease that spreads to the rest of his body, he becomes unclean. Likewise, the garment and clothes that people wear need to be clean, free from mildew or disease.

The priest plays a key role in determining whether a person or piece of clothing is clean or unclean. Why not a doctor but a priest? I think it has to do with holiness. God desires his people to be holy and pure when they come into his presence. If God expects the offering of animal sacrifices to be healthy and without blemish, then all the more he requires his people to be holy and pure when they come before him.

Secondly, the priest must really know his stuff: to be clear and discerning so as to pass the correct judgment on the person or the clothing. Thank God that he had given clear how-to instructions for the priest to examine and pronounce whether the case is clean or unclean. The method is clearly detailed to prevent any ambiguity or dispute.

This reminds me that the purpose of God’s law is to guide us to live holy lives for him, and not to bind us down in a box, to restrain or restrict us, or to hinder our growth or make us legalistic creatures.

A declaration of cleanness will allow the person to go free to do his or her daily routine activities. On the other hand, a declaration of uncleanness will send the person literally to outside the Israelite camp where he or she will dwell alone from public eye and contact so as not to infect others.

The separation is not only physical, but also emotional, social and spiritual. He is sent away to a lonely and lonesome journey, for the rest of his life, unless by some mercy or miracle of God, he recovers. The four things that the diseased person needs to do are clearly spelled out in verses 45-46.

As for the clothing, drastic measures are also taken to determine the cleanness of the garment, by washing and repeated washing if needed (vv. 54-55, 59). Clothing that are found to be diseased would be destroyed by burning.

In all these instructions, I think the lesson that God wants us to learn is that he takes holiness and purity very seriously. The very fact that he had to send his only beloved Son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross is because of our sins and unrighteousness that separated us from him.

We thank God that we have been washed by the blood of the lamb of God. Through his blood we are cleansed from our sins and by his stripes we are healed of our diseases.

For everyone who has believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, no matter what conditions they are physically, including having an uncleanness due to leprosy, or a haemorrhage or any kind of growth or a discharge from the body, we are already healed and cleansed by the body of Christ that was broken on the cross. This is a fact even though we might not experience a total healing or complete eradication of our illness, disease or condition.

Let us continue to be opened to listen to Christ’s word and be cleansed as he said, “Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.” (John 15:3) Amen!

Prayer : Dear precious Lord Jesus Christ, I thank you for coming into our sin-sick world to die on the cross so that we might have forgiveness and hope. Thank you, God, that we have been cleansed and made righteous before you, and we could come freely into your presence by the imputed holiness of Christ. Holy Spirit, help us to live holy lives and stay away from sin, unrighteousness and anything that is not pleasing in your sight. We pray these things in Christ’s name. Amen!