The recovery of lepers and the second stage of purification

The recovery of lepers and the second stage of purification

 

Leviticus 14:1-20

 

After the leper was cured, he was able to return to his original position only through a thorough purification process over two rounds. This reminds us that God hates human iniquity and sin very much, and at the same time shows that even if we have sinned, He will restore our fellowship if we repent and come before God (1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness).

 

1. The First Purification Ceremony – The Principle of Justification

For the first purification ceremony, a person healed from leprosy had to make some preparations. It was two living birds, clean and without blemish, cedar, scarlet and hyssop. And there had to be an earthen vessel with fresh water on it, and cedar and hyssop tied with scarlet thread were immersed in the water of this earthen vessel. After these preparations were completed, the priest took one from the two birds, and slaughtered them in an earthen vessel filled with cedar and hyssop tied with scarlet thread, and fresh water. As he sprinkled, he declared his cleanliness. And the other bird, soaked in the blood of the slain bird, was placed in a wide field and flew away freely. After all these purification ceremonies were over, a person who had recovered from leprosy could be cleansed by washing clothes, shaving all hair on the body, and washing the body. So, what does this ritual of purification mean?

The blood and clean water of the sacrificed bird were needed in order to taste the salvation and liberation of a single bird, which symbolizes a person recovering from leprosy, flying freely over a wide field. This symbolizes the water and blood of Jesus Christ, which was lavished on the cross to save us sinners like lepers. (John 19:34 One of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out). The 'cedar' symbolizes the power of life to prevent the decay of death, the 'hyssop' symbolizes the power of purification to prevent the smell of death, and the 'red thread' symbolizes the power of the precious blood to defeat death. These are all things that Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross. Therefore, it is only through the blood of Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins that we, like lepers, are healed and purified from that terrible soul leprosy. The first ritual of purification is reminding us of this fact.

 

2. Second Purification Ceremony – Principle of Sanctification

On the 8th day, 7 days after the first purification ceremony, a person recovering from leprosy had to perform the second purification ceremony. It was a ritual to restore normal relationship with God, and consisted of four sacrifices. First, a trespass offering was made with a ram, and the blood of the sacrifice was applied to the right ear, thumb, and big toe of the person who had recovered from leprosy (verse 14). After the guilt offering, a sin offering, a burnt offering, and a grain offering were offered (verses 19-20).

 

The meaning of this secondary purification ritual is as follows. The saints who have been saved from such terrible sins and death as leprosy through the merits of the blood of Jesus Christ do not only remain in the place of justification, but further compensate God (trespass offering), repent (sin offering), and dedicate themselves ( It means going to the place of sanctification (burnt offering) to serve (grain offering). In this context, the sacrificial blood applied to the lobe of the ear, thumb, and big toe of a person who has been healed of leprosy is an act that symbolizes that the places where the saints hear, act, and go must be holy and sanctified. When we only stay in the seat of justification (the first rite of purification), it becomes an imperfect and shameful salvation. From there, with the fervent joy and thanksgiving of salvation, when we reach the place of sanctification (the 2nd ceremonial ceremony) to serve God with loyalty, devotion, and service, we will be able to achieve truly complete salvation and salvation without shame.

 

Please pray for us, our families, and the saints to achieve complete salvation, not staying in the place of justification, but moving to the place of sanctification.