The Offering for the Leper
By Clarence Santee
The Complete Healing of the Disease, and the Complete Cleansing from Sin
"BUT we are all as an unclean thing." Isa. 64:6. Sin is well represented by leprosy, and the sinner by the leper. As the leper could only cry, "Unclean, unclean" (Lev. 13:45), helpless, incurable, so the sinner may strive in vain to cleanse himself. A new creation must accomplish the cleansing, or death must result. Naaman, the Syrian, was healed of his leprosy by creative power placing purity and cleanness in the place of the diseased impurity of the leper. "His flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean." 2 Kings 5:14, last part. AN OFFERING FULL OF SIGNIFICANCE
An offering that was full of significance was given to ancient Israel regarding the leper, and, as will be seen, was also to teach them that there is hope of cleansing on the same basis on which cleansing can come to the sinner. This offering is described in Lev. 14:2-7, 14-18. "This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing. . . . Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop." Verses 2, 4. The margin reads, "two sparrows." This was continued to the time of Christ, and was used by Him to reveal His Father's love. He said: "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father." Matt. 10:29. Shall we learn the lesson that was given to them that even the leper could discern God's boundless love, and, believing, claim and receive healing power? With the two sparrows, they were to take cedar wood and scarlet and hyssop. One of the birds was to be killed "in an earthen vessel over running water." Lev. 14:5. Then the living bird, the cedar wood, the scarlet wood (Heb. 9:19), and the hyssop were to be dipped in the blood of the dead bird. Lev. 14:6. The man was also sprinkled with the blood seven times. The number seven is often used to denote completeness. In this instance it evidently represents a complete cleansing. The living bird is then let go free. But it goes out marked with the blood of the dead bird. The price is stamped upon it as it is made free. As all creation was cursed because of man's sin (Gen. 3:17), so in the blood of Christ, represented by the blood of the bird, cleansing is provided for all. In the type, the cedar and the hyssop—the vegetable kingdom; the scarlet wool and the bird—the animal; the earthen vessel and the water—the mineral,—all were touched by the cleansing blood. Even the air was sprinkled, as the bird, dipped in the warm blood, fluttered away. All this is comprehended in the words of our Saviour, "The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10. Man's innocence, his dominion, his life, all were lost. In Christ innocence is restored. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9. Eternal life is assured. "I give unto them eternal life." John 10:28. "The kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under, the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him." Dan. 7:27. "The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity." Isa. 33:24. THE EAR, THE HAND, AND THE FOOT CONSECRATED
Returning to the type, Lev. 14:14-18, we read that the priest should take some of the blood of the trespass-offering, and put it upon the right ear, the right thumb, and the great toe of the right foot, of the man who has been cleansed. This signifies that the ear has been purchased with blood, and that it is now turned to hear the voice of the Master. Ps. 40:6. Christ said, "Take heed therefore how ye hear." Luke 8:18. The hands and the feet, touched with the blood, will labor and walk in the way of life. "My hands also will I lift up unto Thy commandments, which I have loved." Ps. 119:48. "I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies." Verse 59. The priest then took the anointing oil, and touched it to the ear, the thumb, and the toe, but it was to be placed only upon the blood that had been put there. Lev. 14:17. This taught that only where the blood of Christ has been accepted and applied, can His righteousness be imparted. No man by doing right can make himself right. "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one." Job 14:4. The blood must be applied to cleanse the leprosy of sin, then the oil of Christ's righteousness can be imparted.