Purification of Leprosy Tidbits

One of the strangest rituals we'll meet in Leviticus is the purification for "lepers" in 14:1-20. So, I'd like to give you just a few things to keep in mind as you read the passage. And remember, all of these ritual ingredients were culturally appropriate for the Israelites!

• Cedarwood and Red Yarn: Both are symbols of blood (i.e. life)
• "Fresh" water means running water . . . moving water or spring water is life giving, like the River in Eden, or like what Jesus offers to the Samaritan woman in John 4:14.
• "Seven" sprinkles: Returning to pristine state (seven days of creation)
• Freeing the "dipped" bird: The bird is symbolically carrying away the disease, or symbolically conquering 
• The "leper" then waits seven days . . . again, a creational "reset"
• Note that the cleansed "leper" offers a "guilt" or reparation offering (v.12). This is interesting because these are the more serious offerings for wrongdoing. However, this sacrifice is probably used in recognition that communion was broken and needs to be repaired.
• Blood placed on "leper's" ear lobe, thumb and toe restores the "leper" legally and existentially to the community (the "leper" is clean and free of death)
• Oil was used as a sanctifying agent for the priest, but in this case it is most likely a symbol of blessing (Ps. 104:15, for example)
•  Note then that the "sin" or purification offering (v.19) cleanses the Tabernacle, and finally the burnt offering (v.20) is a thanksgiving to God.  

Random Aside: You might have noticed in 14:34 that God says "and I put a leprous disease in a house" . . . very interesting! Why are we told this? Is God behind all leprosy? No, at least there's nothing else in Leviticus to suggest that this would be the case. Israel's neighbors believed that mold and fungus were the result of demonic activity . . . this verse would counter those claims and place mold and fungus under God's sovereignty.