In Leviticus 13 we learn how the leper was convicted of his condition. It was not through feelings or his own assessment of himself. Rather, it was the discernment of the priest that convicted him. Then we read, “All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be” (Lev. 13:4646All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be. (Leviticus 13:46)).
In Leviticus 14 we find the same in principle. The leper being cleansed is once again to be brought back, but how? “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. And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water; as for the living bird he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water; and he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field” (Lev. 14:4-74Then 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: 5And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water: 6As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water: 7And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field. (Leviticus 14:4‑7)).
In the above verses which describe the cleansing of the leper, we have a striking picture of the principle on which God now justifies the ungodly, namely, on the ground of the death of Christ, by which sin is put away and righteousness established, and the resurrection of Christ, which proclaims God’s satisfaction and our justification.
The Two Birds
The bird killed in an earthen vessel, over running water, is in picture Christ crucified, and the living bird let loose, Christ risen and glorified. All this is the result of that which was in God’s heart respecting poor sinners on earth, helpless and hopeless in their ruin. What a comfort to be able to show all this to a poor sinner as God’s testimony, that the word which silences him on his side opens the door of hope on God’s side. Wonderful message, yet more wonderful messenger He who came from heaven to make it all good in His death and resurrection for us!
We have seen, I trust, that it is God’s testimony to man’s ruin, not man’s feelings or thoughts about it, and that God has likewise given testimony to all that was in His heart in the gift, death, resurrection and glory of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. There is one other point of testimony to which I would direct attention. How did the leper know he was cleansed? On the same authority as that which convicted him of leprosy. As at first he was pronounced unclean by the priest, so now being cleansed, he is “pronounced clean.” As at first, on the word of the priest, he took his place outside, so now on the word of the priest, he takes his place inside; in both cases it was the word of the priest. How important, how blessed is this! Many a person is perplexed from not simply taking God at His word, which is the true source and spring of all known enjoyment, as it is written, “The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing” (Rom. 15:1313Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (Romans 15:13)). And on the other hand, many a person is blinded and deceived, judging its state by its own apprehension of it or its own feelings, and not realizing the complete ruin all are in. Likewise, such fail to see the wonderful provision God has in love made in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to meet us where we are. May we all joy in the Savior — the Savior who died on the cross for sinners, who by His death has made atonement, has risen again from the dead and gone into heaven, the author of eternal salvation to all who look to Him.
W. T. Turpin (adapted)