The Cleansing of the Leper by S. N. Haskell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · May 30, 1912

The Cleansing of the Leper

By S. N. Haskell

(Concluded)

S. N. HASKELL

THE cross upon which the Saviour hung, and which was stained with his precious blood, was made of the trees of the forest, while a small reed of hyssop supported the sponge dipped in vinegar given him to quench his thirst. As the Saviour hung upon the cross, he listened for some word or token from humanity that would indicate that his sacrifice was appreciated; but only jeers, taunts, and curses were borne to his ears from the surging mass below. Even one of the thieves by his side joined in the rabble of railing; but the other thief reproved him, and turning to Jesus said, "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." The reply of Jesus, "Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise," contained an assurance of pardon. Even while the cleansing blood of Christ was flowing from his veins, the thief rejoiced in its power to cleanse from sin. He who his enemies thought was conquered, died a mighty Conqueror, and the thief experienced the fulfilment of the promise, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." Isa. 1: 18. There was a significance in the color of the wool dipped in the blood of the typical offering. It is impossible to remove scarlet stains, but "though your sins be as scarlet," the blood of Christ can make them "white as snow." You may be condemned and counted as an outcast by every one on earth; but if you look to the Saviour and claim his cleansing power, he will cleanse you from your sins, and will put joy and rejoicing in your heart.

In the typical service, notwithstanding the fact that when the one to be cleansed from leprosy was sprinkled with the blood he was pronounced clean, yet there was something more for him to do. On the eighth day after he was pronounced clean, he was to appear before the priest, with three lambs, a meat-offering, and a log of oil. The priest presented the man to be cleansed at the door of the tabernacle, and waved one of the lambs and the log of oil before the Lord. He then slew the lamb, and took some of the blood and put it upon the tip of the right ear of him that was to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot, thus consecrating his ears to hear only those things that would tend to keep him clean. His hands were

consecrated to the service of God, and his feet were to travel only in the way of the Lord's commandments.

Then the priest took the log of oil, and after sprinkling a portion of it before the Lord, he put some of it upon the tip of the right ear of him that was to be cleansed, also upon the thumb of his right hand and the great toe of his right foot, and then anointed his head with the remainder of the oil. Leviticus 14. This service was not an empty form, but a type of a blessed antitype, which is fulfilled in every Christian that presents himself for service before the Lord after the Lord forgives his sins and pronounces him clean. Of Mary, Jesus said, "Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little." Luke 7: 47. The leper cleansed from that loathsome, living death felt so thankful to God for freedom and cleansing that he consecrated his life to the Lord for service. Not only is the oil, an emblem of the Holy Spirit which prepares the Christian for service, touched to his ear, hand, and foot, but it is poured upon his head, thus betokening a full surrender of the entire being to the service of his Master who has redeemed him. The books of heaven record the names of many who have fulfilled this beautiful antitype by surrendering their entire being to the service of their Redeemer.

The Levitical law provided for the cleansing of houses and garments infected with leprosy. If an owner of a house saw any signs of leprosy, he was to report the matter to the priest, who at once proceeded to examine the house. First the house was to be emptied, and if the priest saw "greenish or reddish" streaks upon the wall, the house was shut up for seven days. If at the end of that time the walls were still covered with the mold, then the wall was to be scraped and the stones taken out and the wall thoroughly repaired. If after the house was thoroughly repaired, the spots appeared again, it proved it did not come from any leak or defect in the wall; but the location was damp and unhealthful, and the house was to be torn down.

If the health laws of the land to-day were as watchful over the homes of the people as were the old Levitical laws, there would be less of the dread white plague.

The laws in regard to garments infected with leprosy were very rigid. If the plague of leprosy was so deep seated that it could not be removed by washing, the garment was to be burned in the fire. There is a wonderful spiritual lesson in this instruction. God has given very definite directions in regard to the dress of his followers. 1 Peter 3: 3, 4; 1 Tim. 2: 9. He never designed that his people should follow the foolish fashions of the world. Isa. 3: 16-26. A marked difference should be seen between the dress of the Christian and that of the worldling. Num. 15: 38, 39. Individuals may argue that they have overcome pride, and that when they wear fashionable apparel and dress like worldlings, it does not hurt them any. As well might a person who had just recovered from smallpox wear the garments infected with that disease. He reasons that as he has had the disease once and recovered, there is no danger of his taking it a second time; hence there is no danger in the garments; but he sows the germs of the disease wherever he goes. In like manner the Christian that fails to obey the Lord's instruction in regard to dress, misrepresents the Lord, and sows seeds of pride and vanity in the hearts of weaker believers.

There is a great war being waged in this earth between the prince of darkness and the Saviour of mankind. Each army has a uniform for those fighting in its ranks. No Christian who loves the Lord can afford to dress in the uniform of the enemy. It is better to follow the instruction given in the Levitical service, and even burn garments infected with pride and vanity, than to misrepresent our Lord and Master even in our dress.

"The entire system of Judaism was the gospel veiled."

Type	Antitype
Lev. 14: 6, 7: Blood sprinkled on the one to be cleansed.	1 Peter 1: 2: The sprinkling of the blood of Jesus cleanses from sin.
Lev. 14: 6: Cedar, scarlet, and hyssop dipped in the blood. 1 Kings 4: 33: Cedar and hyssop extremes in vegetation. Heb. 9: 19: Wool from the sheep was dyed scarlet.	John 19: 29: The hyssop was brought in connection with the Saviour, while the cross was made from the trees of the forest.
Lev. 14: 5: The bird killed, and its blood caught in an earthen vessel.	Luke 22: 44: Jesus' blood came in contact with the earth.
Lev. 14: 6: The bird that had been dipped in the blood let loose to fly through the air. Jer. 9: 21: Air corrupt.	Rev. 21: 1: There will be a new heaven, atmospheric heaven, as the result of Christ's death. His blood dropped through the air from the cross.
Lev. 14: 14, 17: Tip of ear touched with the blood and oil.	Isa. 42: 18-20: God's servants are deaf to things they should not hear.
Lev. 14: 14, 17: Thumb of right hand touched with blood and oil.	Ps. 119: 48: "My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved."
Lev. 14: 14, 17: Toe of right foot touched with the blood.	Gen. 17: 1: "I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect."

Portland, Maine.