Leviticus 13:1–46

Even in the type it was a holy rather than a medical question. Leprosy was not so much an illness as a stroke or plague. The priest looked at the suspected person under careful direction from Jehovah, not as a doctor making a diagnosis. The consequence was most serious for an Israelite, so the priest had to take the most scrupulous care. Uncleanness from birth was an obvious fact. There Jehovah spoke to Moses about what concerned every mother and child. For leprosy He spoke to Moses and to Aaron.

This chapter gives its instructions to Aaron as well as Moses, because spotting and treating leprosy was the priest's own job. Note that leprosy, as a type, stresses not so much the guilt of sin as its corrupting and defiling power.

Leprosy is the most stubborn and loathsome of diseases. It starts so slightly, holds on so surely, and spreads so readily both inside and around the unhappy person who has it. Its end is terrible. It serves as the fitting type of the corruption of sin. God Himself therefore takes it into His own hand. He alone is competent to deal with it, and with Him alone its cure was found.

It was not what the leper did that made him unclean, but what he was... It is what we are, as well as what we do, that makes us unclean. That is why the leper had to go to the priest — not to the doctor — to be made clean. Notice, it was not only a question of being healed, but of being cleansed.

Other illnesses might look like leprosy and be only suspicious symptoms. So there was this important provision: a man is not made the judge of his own sin. The law laid down that the Israelite should submit his condition to another man's inspection. That other man is the type of a spiritual man, for that is what a priest means. He is one who is called to have the right of access to God. So he should have his senses trained to tell good from evil by the standard of the sanctuary.

Suspicion would not be enough to brand a person a leper. Nor was the priest left to his own devices to decide what counted as leprosy. The Lord revealed all of that in His word; to it the priest was to be subject, and by it alone he was to be guided. God placed the power of exclusion from the camp in the hands of a priest — a failing, sinful creature. So it was of the utmost importance that this power should not be abused. Jehovah made known in His Word, within everyone's reach, the marks by which the priest could tell whether the person, the garment, or the house really was struck with this plague.

His sphere is limited to Israel, those among whom God dwelt. He had no instructions for cases among Gentiles. So we are to judge those who are inside, while God judges those outside.

The priest was not to pronounce judgment hastily in any case. The most patient care was needed, so that no one should be put out as a leper who really was not one, and so that no real case of leprosy should escape. There was to be no haste and no indifference.

Suppose Jehovah cared only about maintaining this holiness. Then the leper would have stayed outside the camp for good, cut off from the Tabernacle and from fellowship with God's people. But He cared for the leper, and provided for his reinstatement into all his privileges in the camp, if only he was first healed... Money, pleading, promises, efforts — none of it would help. Jehovah Himself must heal the man, or he could never be cleansed. So grace had room to display itself, once the claims of divine holiness had been acknowledged.

Leprosy is the picture of indwelling sin and its awful corruption. The Lord chose this horrible disease to picture sin because of how vile it is. Like sin, it keeps spreading until it affects the whole person. It is passed down from parent to child, and it cannot be cured. As the disease goes on, the victim grows less and less aware of his dreadful condition, and is even content with it.

Leprosy may affect almost any part of the body. It was not what the leper did that made him unclean, but what he was… It is what we are, as well as what we do, that makes us unclean. So the leper had to go to the priest (not to the doctor) to be made clean. Notice, it was not only a question of being healed, but cleansed.

There might appear in the skin of the flesh a swelling, or a scab, or a bright spot. The outbreaks of leprosy looked different from one another, just as sin works in different ways. But each of them points to what is hateful to God. And Aaron or one of his sons must examine the man.

"A bright spot." We read in Hebrews 11:25 of "the fleeting pleasures of sin." Sin does have its pleasures, and often it looks very bright. We read in Hebrews 3:13 of "the deceitfulness of sin," and that is always true. Satan would turn our eyes away from the danger of sin, and would tell us how very profitable, how very bright it is.

Perhaps he was not willing to go to the priest. Perhaps he thought he could decide for himself about the rising, the scab or the bright spot. Perhaps he thought the small spot on his body would soon get better. But the Word of God stands sure: "He shall be brought to the priest." It does not even say that he himself shall go to the priest. It says, "He shall be brought to the priest."

There was this important provision: a man is not made the judge of his own sin. The law laid down that the Israelite must let another person examine his condition. That other person pictures a spiritual man, for that is what a priest means. A priest is really someone called to have the right of access to God. So his senses should be trained to tell good from evil by the standard of the sanctuary.

The priest was not to judge any case in haste, or decide it without care. He was not to form an opinion from mere hearsay. He had to see for himself, to use priestly discernment, to think calmly, and to hold strictly to the written word — the holy, faultless guide book. He needed all of this to form a sound judgement of each case.

Two things claimed the priest's careful attention. One was the purity of the assembly. The other was the grace that could not shut out any member, except on the clearest grounds. Holiness could not let anyone stay in who ought to be out. Grace, on the other hand, would not have anyone out who ought to be in. Things might seem small which were in fact serious, and things might look like leprosy which were not leprosy at all.

God Himself takes this disease into His own hand. He is the only One able to deal with it, and the only One with whom its cure was found… So if no natural remedy is given, or even hinted at, for this disease, we shall surely find the cure for the spiritual illness in the means God appointed for cleansing the leper.

Leviticus 13 is lengthy in contrast with chapter 12. That is easy to understand. Chapter 12 deals with the defilement that marks the very start of man's life. This chapter deals with how that defilement works and grows all through his life, and that takes a great deal of detail. There is no doubt that leprosy is as striking a picture of sin as the Bible gives. God gave the instructions of this chapter to Aaron as well as to Moses, because finding and treating leprosy was the priest's own work. Note that leprosy, as a picture, stresses not the guilt of sin so much as its corrupting and defiling power.

If both signs showed up — the hair in the sore turned white, and the sore deeper than the skin — then no question remained. It was leprosy, and the priest was to pronounce the patient unclean. The white hair speaks of spiritual strength decaying. The sore deeper than the skin shows that the sin is not just a light slip. Seeing this needs true spiritual perception, and it takes great care to keep any judgment under God's guidance. But when the case is clear, God's word is clear: the priest must pronounce the man unclean.

Friend, the plague is deeper than the skin. It is not only a surface trouble with you. No, the real trouble is far deeper. It is in our heart. The Priest pronounces the heart "deceitful above all things, and desperately sick." And He adds, "Who can understand it? I the LORD search the heart." He knows well that you do not know your own heart. Only the Lord knows how bad you really are.

Even in the picture it was a holy question, not a medical one. Leprosy was not so much an illness as a plague or a blow. The priest looked at the man under suspicion with detailed direction from the Lord. This was not a doctor making a diagnosis. The result was so serious for an Israelite that the priest owed the case the most careful attention… Sin works and shows itself. But rushing to pronounce on evil, even when it is out in the open and active, is as far from God as ignoring it. Both are the opposite of grace. The priest — the spiritual man who is at home in God's presence — judges by the written word.

Notice the care, the watchfulness, the perfect patience urged on the priest. He must not treat something as leprosy when it is not. He must not let real leprosy slip past him either. Many things might appear on the skin — the place where trouble shows — looking like a case of leprous disease, and patient examination by the priest would find them to be only skin-deep… And yet what seemed a surface mark might turn out to be something deeper than the skin, something below the surface, something affecting the man's whole body from within… Some slight neglect, some small oversight, might lead to disastrous results.

You can stick a needle into the part affected by leprosy, and the man does not feel it. In the same way, a man who keeps going on in sin no longer feels his conscience prick him, and does not know he is a sinner… The leper might reply, "But I feel in excellent health; I never felt better in my life." "I am sorry," the priest replies, "but it is my sad duty to pronounce you unclean." The man's feelings and opinions had nothing to do with the case; everything rested on the word of the priest. "When the priest has examined him, he shall pronounce him unclean." That ended the matter. The man knew he was unclean because the priest said so, not because he felt unclean.

Spiritual decay (the "hair turned white") is always present when evil is active in a person. But it can also come from other causes. So it must not be the only ground for judging a case to be leprosy. But if this is found together with the energy of inward evil (a "spot deeper than the skin"), then it is a clear case. Spiritual discernment will tell the difference between surface signs — what is only casual and unintended — and signs of deep-seated evil.

But notice the care, the watchfulness, and the perfect patience required of the priest. He must not treat anything as leprosy that was not leprosy. He must not let anything escape that really was leprosy. Many things might appear "in the skin" — the place where things show — "like the plague of leprosy." Patient examination by the priest would show they were only on the surface… Some slight neglect, some small oversight, might lead to disastrous consequences. It might leave a confirmed leper in place and so defile the assembly. Or it might expel a genuine member of the Israel of God over a surface blemish.

If there was still room for doubt, he was to be shut up for a while — not shut out, but shut up. Israel must not be defiled by a possible leper, while on the other hand the man must not be treated as what he may not be. God's people must not act in the dark, but in the light.

You will not find the Priest impatient or cruel. You will find One who is filled with love and sympathy. He will look on those risings or swellings — that scab which marks some old trouble, maybe some old quarrel or bad feeling. He will look on those bright spots which you rather like, but which tell of something wrong within, perhaps some self-indulgence which you love. He will not look hurriedly. His eye will never make a mistake. If there is any question, He will shut up the one with these complaints for seven days — or even another seven days if need be.

Sometimes the evil is serious, yet not fully developed or made plain. Then those who care for the assembly may ask the person to hold back willingly, for the time being, from taking the Lord's Supper, where fellowship is expressed, until the matter is cleared up… This would be a sort of "shutting one up" as in Leviticus 13. This is not a grade of discipline. It is only a temporary measure while waiting for investigation or further examination… No person should be asked to refrain from breaking bread on a mere suspicion of evil.

But there is also provision against a gloomy judgment and despair, which Satan knows how to use for injury and ruin. It guards against that as well as against the more common danger of too light and self-sparing an examination. A man or a woman might have "bright spots, white bright spots" in the skin of their flesh. Here again the priest's discernment is required. If the spots were pale or dull in colour, this was not leprosy but a different rash that had broken out in the skin. The person was clean. It is holy, but neither hard nor careless or compromising. God is light, and God is love.

It is the most stubborn and loathsome of diseases. It is so slight in its beginnings, so sure in its grip and in its power to spread both within and around the unhappy person who has it, so terrible in its end. That is why it is used as the fitting picture of the corruption of sin. God Himself therefore takes it into His own hand, as indeed the only One competent to deal with it, and with whom alone its cure was found.

This explains why the same expressions keep coming back: "The priest shall look"; "And the priest shall look on him the seventh day"; "Then the priest shall shut him up seven days more"... The priest was not to judge any case in haste, or decide it rashly. He was not to form an opinion from mere hearsay. The priest had to have all of this to judge each case soundly: seeing for himself, the discernment of a priest, calm reflection, and strict obedience to the written word — the holy, infallible guide book.

And of these the priest was to be the interpreter — for us the spiritual man, able to draw near to God, and having the mind of God. The priest could never leave the judgment to the man whose own case was in question. No one asked his opinion, and no one could accept it — an opinion about a matter in which he was too closely involved to be impartial.

Sometimes the unmistakable signs were missing, yet there was still real cause for concern — some visible spot, for God would not allow acting on mere suspicion. Then the priest was neither to dismiss the man free, nor shut him out of the camp, but to shut him up seven days. He was neither denied his place altogether, nor allowed to enjoy it. Indifference was impossible: tenderness and watchfulness each had their place. If the disease then seemed to be at a standstill, that was still not enough, for it was not yet recovery.

This does not picture someone being put out of fellowship. It pictures only the loss of certain privileges of practical fellowship for a time, until the matter is cleared up.

The priest had to make sure that no real leper stayed among the people of Israel. He had to be just as careful not to put out anyone who was not a leper. "Holiness could not allow anyone to stay in who ought to be out; and grace would not have anyone out who ought to be in."

There might be "the bright spot," but no deep purpose underneath, and no active evil in result. On the seventh day he looks again, and if there is no spreading in the skin but the sore has stopped, he shuts the man up seven days more. Then he looks, and if the sore is pale and dim, with no spread of it in the skin, the priest pronounces the man clean. It is only a scab; and he is to wash his clothes, and be clean.

There was no haste, and no indifference. God always enters the place of judgment with a slow and measured step. But once He enters, He must act according to the claims of His nature. He can patiently investigate. He can wait for "seven days." If the symptoms change even slightly, He can wait for "seven days more." But the moment the disease proves to be leprosy truly at work, there can be no toleration.

But notice the care, the watchfulness, the perfect patience urged on the priest. He must not treat anything as leprosy that was not leprosy. He must not let anything slip through that really was leprosy... Some slight neglect, some small oversight, might lead to disastrous consequences. A confirmed leper might stay and defile the assembly, or the priest might put out a genuine member of the Israel of God over a surface blemish.

You will not find the Priest impatient or cruel. You will find One who is filled with love and sympathy. He will look at those risings or swellings — that scab which marks some old trouble, maybe some old quarrel, or bad feeling; those bright spots that you quite like, but that tell of something wrong inside, perhaps some self-indulgence which you love. He will not look in a hurry. His eye will never make a mistake.

There might be "the bright spot," but no deep purpose underneath, and no active evil in result. In this case the priest shut the case up for seven days, though he could not dismiss it as clear, for there was plainly an appearance of evil; but as there was no more, he waits patiently. ... Then he looks, and if the mark is pale and dim, and has not spread in the skin, the man is pronounced clean. It is only a scab; and he is to wash his clothes, and be clean.

In verse 6 it is clear that if the sore suspected of being leprosy had not spread, but faded, the patient was pronounced clean... So for us today, if evil is at work, it will spread; if not, it will fade. How do we discern this? The surest sign that evil is not active is seen in an attitude of self-judgment. In a case like this, an attitude of self-defence almost always shows that the evil is spreading.

There is a difference between personal infirmity and the positive energy of evil — between mere defects and blemishes in the outward character, and the activity of sin in the members. No doubt it is important to watch against our infirmities; for if they are not watched, judged, and guarded against, they may become the source of positive evil.

The person was to be isolated for seven days. This would not speak of one being put out of fellowship, but only of his being deprived of certain privileges of practical fellowship for the time being, until the matter was cleared. If no change had taken place after seven days, then another seven days of probation were added.

The clothes tell us of what touches us — our associations, what we have to do with, what the world around sees as connected with us. Perhaps people have been used to seeing us in the gambling halls, or in other evil places. All these associations and ways must be "washed." How do we wash our ways and associations? We get that question answered for us in Psalm 119:9 — "How can a young man keep his way pure?" Here is God's own answer: "By guarding it according to your word."

The Lord asks for personal inspection by the priest, not a report. If there is proof that evil is at work now — and still more, that it is no passing outbreak but persistent, deliberate, deeply penetrating evil — then doubt is over. The priest must pronounce the man unclean... But if the scab spreads after he has shown himself to the priest for cleansing, he must show himself to the priest again. The priest sees the spreading, and the truth must be spoken, for the evil is at work. It is leprosy. It must not be hid.

Leprosy spreads. Even "a little leaven leavens the whole lump." Some may say it does not spread, because they cannot see its damage. But leaven works quietly and unnoticed, and it works surely. God's word assures us that leaven, even a little, leavens. So the priest watched to see whether the plague spread. If it did, that was sometimes enough evidence to decide the case.

Here we have the most characteristic type of sin under the sign of that foul and hopeless disease. Other diseases might wear its evil look, yet in fact be only suspicious symptoms. So the law made this important provision: a man is not the judge of his own sin. The Israelite had to submit his condition to another man's inspection. That other man pictures a spiritual man, for that is what a priest means... As such he must not be carried away by conventional opinions, traditional thoughts, or what men call public opinion. Such opinion is one of the most damaging things that corrupt the holy moral judgment of God's children.

But notice the care, the watchfulness, the perfect patience urged on the priest. He must not treat anything as leprosy that was not leprosy, and he must not let real leprosy escape... Some slight neglect, some small oversight, might lead to disastrous results. It might leave a confirmed leper inside the assembly and defile it. Or it might expel a genuine member of the Israel of God over some surface blemish.

It may take a little time to discern whether self-judgment is genuine. So verse 7 shows that self-judgment could appear to be there when it was not. If the same thing surfaced again, even after the priest had pronounced the man clean, the priest was to examine him again. If he found it had spread, he was to pronounce him unclean. If a believer falls into the same type of sin after forgiveness, this shows that he has not judged the root of the matter.

A brother in fellowship may fall and then sincerely acknowledge his fault as an evil. He may even be restored to his place. But he is always in danger of falling again if he has not judged the root of it. It is there that he got to a distance from God. Communion with God is not fully restored, and self and its will are not fully broken, until the Christian finds the point where his heart began to lose its spiritual sensitivity.

You will not find the Priest impatient or cruel. You will find One who is filled with love and sympathy. He will look on those risings or swellings. He will look at that scab which marks some old trouble — maybe an old quarrel or bad feeling. He will look at those bright spots which you rather like, but which tell of something wrong within, perhaps some self-indulgence which you love. He will not look hurriedly. His eye will never mistake.

Leprosy is the most stubborn and loathsome of diseases. It is so slight in its beginnings. It holds on so surely, and it spreads both inside and around the unhappy person who has it. Its end is so terrible. So it stands as the fitting picture of the corruption of sin. God Himself therefore takes it into His own hand. He is the only One able to deal with it, and the only One with whom its cure is found.

Leprosy spreads. Even "a little leaven leavens the whole lump." Some may say it does not spread, because they cannot see its damage. But leaven works quietly and unnoticed, and it works most surely. So the priest watched closely to see if the plague spread. If it did, that would sometimes be enough evidence to decide the case. This would be a true sign of leprosy, whether in a man, a garment, or a house… But when a person is pronounced to be a leprous man, he must be put outside the camp. Then his cry will be, "Unclean, unclean!"

A possible leper must not defile Israel. On the other hand, no one must treat the man as what he may not be. God's people must not act in the dark, but in the light. The great deciding point would now be whether or not the disease would spread or was stopped. If it did not spread, the priest was to tell him to wash his clothes, and he would be clean. There had been minor uncleanness, or there would have been no need of this pause in judgment. But if the disease spread even after this, the earlier decision had to be recalled: the man was unclean.

So for us today, if evil is at work, it will spread; if not, it will fade. How do we discern this? The surest sign that evil is not active is an attitude of self-judgment. In a case like this, self-defence almost always shows that the evil is spreading… If a believer falls into the same type of sin after being forgiven, this shows that he has not really judged the root of the matter.

There was no haste, and no indifference. God always enters the place of judgment with a slow and measured step. But when He does enter, He must act according to the claims of His nature. He can investigate with patience. He can wait for "seven days." Should there be the slightest change in the symptoms, He can wait for "seven days more." But the moment it proves to be the positive working of leprosy, there can be no toleration.

Here we have the most characteristic picture of sin under the sign of that foul and hopeless disease. Other illnesses might wear its evil appearance, but they were in fact only suspicious symptoms. So there was this important provision: a man is not made the judge of his own sin. The law laid down that the Israelite must show his condition to another man for inspection. That other man is a picture of a spiritual man, for that is what a priest means. He is really someone called to have the right of access to God. So he should train his senses to discern both good and evil by the standard of the sanctuary.

Leprosy is the most stubborn and loathsome of diseases. It is so slight in its beginnings, so sure in its grip and in its power to spread both within and around the unhappy person who has it, so awful in its end. So it is used as the fitting type of the corruption of sin. God Himself therefore takes it into His own hand. He is the only One able to deal with it, and He alone has its cure.

Perhaps he was not willing to go to the priest. Perhaps he thought he could decide for himself about the rising, the scab or the bright spot. Perhaps he thought the small spot on his body would soon get better. But the Word of God stands sure: "he shall be brought to the priest." It does not even say that he himself shall go to the priest. It says, "he shall be brought to the priest."

When something questionable appeared on a person's skin, he was to be brought to a priest to examine it, because he might not come on his own. The whole congregation could not examine him. One fit representative of the congregation was to do it.

There was this important provision: a man is not made the judge of his own sin. The law laid it down that the Israelite should submit his condition to the inspection of another. This other man is the type of a spiritual man, for that is what a priest means. He is one who is called to have the right of access to God. So he should have his senses exercised to discern both good and evil by the standard of the sanctuary.

The priest here speaks of spiritual discernment. That discernment is the fruit of nearness to God, and of the enjoyment of God's word in communion with Him. Now this makes the Scriptures the judge of what leprosy is... What a sad sight it is when a man deals with leprosy without fellowship with God, and without the ability that the word of God alone gives!

Here the proofs of leprosy came together and put the priest's sentence beyond doubt. There was a white swelling in the skin, the hair had turned white, and a trace of raw or living flesh was in the swelling. All of it pointed to the fatal evil in the man, and to evil at work. Waiting is needless in such circumstances... To shut him up would mislead: he is unclean, and the priest says so. To wait, when evil is plain, is trifling with God and man.

Nothing could be done for the healing of the leper; it was the work of God... When sin is hidden, and the leprosy is inside, the evil is greater. Showing and confessing sin leads to peace, and the heart is set at ease. This is the upright and honest heart... The priest could only find out the disease and perform the acts for purification. Leprosy shut its victim out of the camp; sin hinders fellowship with God and His people.

Yet, strange to say, the priest on looking at a sight so terrible was told to pronounce him clean, as indeed he was. Where sin abounded, grace over-exceeded. It is the denial of sin, and the claim of one's own righteousness, which cut off hope. Where there is no hiding, but the sin is out and the sins laid bare all over, God delights in saving.

Verses 9 to 11 speak of one who has a leprous sore, and the priest finds that the swelling is white, the hair is white and raw flesh appears in the sore. There is no question in this case: the person is pronounced unclean.

If a man had a white swelling in his skin with raw flesh under it, it was clearly leprosy, and the priest pronounced him unclean. It was something deeper than the skin. It was not just a sudden outburst of nature, but the deep-seated disease of leprosy. That disease shuts a person out of God's presence.

In this case the proofs of leprosy combined, and the priest's sentence was beyond doubt. Everything pointed to the fatal evil in the man, and to evil actually at work. Waiting is needless in such circumstances. It is too plainly a long-standing and energetic plague in the man. To shut him up would mislead: he is unclean, and the priest says so. To wait, when evil is obvious, is trifling with God and man.

Even in the picture it gives, it was a holy question, not a medical one. Leprosy was not so much an illness as a stroke or plague. The priest looked at the suspected man with detailed direction from Jehovah. It was not a doctor's diagnosis… The leper does not stand for a Christian. He stands for man in the flesh, Israel under the first covenant. Sin works and shows itself. But rushing to pronounce on evil when it is obvious or at work is as far from God as being indifferent to it. Both are the opposite of grace. The priest, the spiritual man who knows the presence of God, judges by the written word.

There can be no doubt that leprosy is as striking a type of sin as the Bible offers. The instructions of this chapter are given to Aaron as well as Moses, because detecting and handling leprosy was the priest's particular responsibility. Note that leprosy, as a type, puts the stress not so much on the guilt of sin as on its corrupting and defiling power.

But then notice the care, the watchfulness, the complete patience urged on the priest. He must not treat anything as leprosy that was not leprosy. And he must not let true leprosy slip past him. Many things might appear "in the skin" — the place where things show — "like the plague of leprosy." Under patient examination by the priest, they would turn out to be only on the surface… A slight neglect, a small oversight, might lead to disastrous results. It might let a confirmed leper stay and defile the assembly. Or it might shut out a genuine member of the Israel of God for a surface blemish.

Sin dwells within the believer. If one is not watchful and walking in self-judgment, it will show itself — in a sudden outburst of temper, in rash hasty speech, or in being caught in some fault… These sad showings of the flesh are not leprosy or wickedness, though leprosy or wickedness might grow out of them. But we must judge and watch such outbursts of our evil nature, in case they spread and become like a sore deeper than the skin.

In this first case, the combined proofs of leprosy put the priest's sentence beyond doubt. There was a white swelling in the skin, the hair had turned white, and a trace of raw or living flesh was in the swelling. All pointed to the fatal evil in the man, and an actual activity of evil. Waiting is needless in such circumstances. It is too plainly a deep-rooted and active plague in the man. To shut him up would mislead: he is unclean, and the priest pronounces so. To wait, when the evil is plain to see, is to trifle with God and man.

Leprosy signalled the working of the flesh. In the case of the man it might be an old sore breaking out afresh (Lev. 13:11), or a new one showing itself for the first time. But this was evil working inside the man, showing itself this way. While it kept working, the man was unclean.

If one had a white swelling in his skin and there was raw living flesh under it, it was clear that it was leprosy and the man was pronounced unclean. It was something deeper than the skin and not just a sudden outburst of nature, but the deep-seated disease of leprosy which shuts one out from God's presence.

This tells us of the man who is willing to go on in sin, even though he owns himself to be a sinner. He is all covered with leprosy, but there is raw flesh, sin, actively working in him. This is very remarkable. Many men in Scripture take the place of saying, "I have sinned." Yet not all of them receive cleansing… There was no hatred of the sin. There was no desire to turn from it and give it up. There was no true repentance. But the active evil was still working in their flesh.

But it must not be on mere suspicion that anyone is dealt with this way. The evil must be manifest, or acknowledged by the person, or established "in the mouth of two or three witnesses" (2 Cor. 13:1). If these are missing, then there must be waiting on God and asking Him to bring everything to light. But the suspected person could not go on as if all were well… Certain clear and unmistakable signs marked out the disease. When these appeared, the case called for the most immediate action: the leper was put out of the camp. So there are clear cases of wickedness that need only to be seen to be known for what they are. Then prompt putting away is the only thing to be done.

There should be no hesitation in declaring a person to be what the word of God says he is. No considerations of any kind, whether personal or social, should keep us from accepting the plain judgment of Scripture. We need always to remember that the judgment of a case is not ours. The word of God judges it for us… It is not our judgment that makes a leper unclean. We declare him to be unclean because the word of God tells us he is so.

Have you ever been brought to the Lord Jesus Christ, the great High Priest? Have you ever submitted your life to the gaze of His eyes, which are "as a flame of fire"? Revelation 1:14. There may be things in your life which you know are not quite right: what about them? Has the Priest "looked" at them?… Perhaps you say, "Oh, those things are of no consequence. It is only a rising, a swelling." But is it a swelling of pride? Is sin at the root of the trouble? The priest alone can decide this.

Here the leprosy has broken out widely in the skin. It has covered the man from his head to his foot, so that before the priest's eye it has spread over his whole outside, and all is turned white. Yet, strange to say, the priest looked at this dreadful sight and had to pronounce him clean — and clean he was. Where sin abounded, grace went far beyond it. It is the denial of sin, and the claim of one's own righteousness, that cut off hope. Where there is no hiding, but the sin is out and the sins laid bare all over, God delights in saving. So it was that the cross displayed all the wickedness of man, and God's love to the uttermost. See in the criminal crucified beside Jesus a living picture of this principle: he hid nothing of his sins, and that day he went to be in Paradise with the Saviour.

I believe the great truth taught here is this: where everything is ruined, and plainly admitted to be ruined, the grace of God can and loves to bless… In the picture it is not leprosy at work, for if raw flesh appeared the person was to be unclean. It is the miserable effect the disease has left behind — all turned white. In the reality, this is the man who knows it is all over with him. He stops trying to establish his own righteousness and submits to the righteousness of God.

Sin defiles as long as it works beneath the surface. But when honest, thorough confession brings it fully out into the open, it stops defiling. In confession the sinner has judged himself, and that breaks the spreading, defiling power of his sin.

There was no haste, and no indifference. God always enters the place of judgment with a slow and measured step. But when He does enter, He must act according to the claims of His nature… once He finds leprosy truly at work, He can tolerate it no longer. "His dwelling shall be outside the camp." How long? Until the disease comes fully to the surface… The very smallest speck of leprosy was intolerable to God. Yet when the whole man was covered, from head to foot, the priest pronounced him clean — that is, he was a fit subject for the grace of God and the blood of atonement.

The moment a sinner is in his true place before God, the whole question is settled. Once his real character is fully out in the open, there is no further difficulty. He may have to pass through much painful exercise before he reaches this point. The pain comes from his refusal to take his true place and to bring out "all the truth" about what he is. But the moment God brings him to say, from his heart, "just as I am," the free grace of God flows down to him.

Such a person was healed, though not yet cleansed. He was not brought under the benefit of the sacrifices, or restored to relationship with God inside the camp. In the picture, he is a sinner in the place of self-judgment before God. He is defiled by sin and knows it, but the activity of sin has stopped, because he is in the place of repentance… He is still a sinner, for though repentant, he is not yet under the benefit of the death and resurrection of Christ.

One spot with certain characteristics would decide the leprosy of the individual. One spot reveals an inward diseased condition, just as one sin comes from a sinful nature. How good God is in giving us such a vivid presentation of what sin is in His presence.

The very smallest speck of leprosy was intolerable to God. Yet when the whole man was covered, from head to foot, the priest pronounced him clean. That is, he was a proper subject for the grace of God and the blood of atonement.

In general, leprosy is sin acting in the flesh. So when the "raw flesh appears" (v. 14), it is a sign that sin is active, and the man was to be pronounced unclean. The flesh in this case has been at work, and the proof of its past activity is still there. But that activity has stopped. So, though a leper, he is to be counted as clean. Such a man was healed, though not yet cleansed. He was not brought under the benefit of the sacrifices, nor restored to relationship with God inside the camp. In type, it is a sinner in the place of self-judgment before God.

In the next chapter you find the various rites for cleansing the leper, to fit him for fellowship with God. The first thing, the foundation of everything, is the death and resurrection of Christ — for the leper outside the camp pictures the sinner.

When a sinner has got to his worst and felt it, he is forgiven. Instead of going about to set up his own righteousness, he submits to the righteousness of God and is justified by faith. When you see a man filled with a thorough sense of sin yet bowing to God, we may be sure of a blessing, and in full measure too. A man may try to excuse, cover, and correct himself instead of confessing his sins in all their seriousness. That only blocks his view of God's grace and keeps up uncertainty. Such striving only keeps empty hopes alive. It denies how far man's ruin goes, and shuts out the full delivering mercy of God.

It tells us of a poor sinner who has not one word of good to say about himself. We may see many lepers in the Bible who were all covered with leprosy, and all were cleansed. Look at Peter in Luke 5. He finds out for the first time that he is covered with leprosy. Hear him: "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man" — that is, a man full of sin. If you have a cup full of water, you have no room for anything else in it. If you have a man full of sin, you have no room for any good in him.

According to Leviticus 13:13, this complete whiteness was exactly the condition for being pronounced clean again! So God's judgment struck Miriam, and yet right away a proof of His grace could be seen — grace that had her restoration in mind. She had to go outside the camp as an unclean person, and she had to cry out that she was unclean. But it was not forever. God wanted to receive her again after she had been shut out of the camp for seven days.

It is quite different when "raw flesh" appears in the man (v. 14). The evil is active then, and it points to a deep-seated source. Sin is still reigning within — a surer sign of ruin than anything on the surface. "He shall be unclean," says the word; and the priest, when he sees the living flesh, can only pronounce him unclean, for that is what it is: leprosy beyond mistake.

Leprosy was sin acting in the flesh. The spiritual man — the priest — discerns about it. If the raw flesh appears, he is unclean; the strength of the flesh is at work. If the man was white all over, it was only the effect, like sin fully confessed but no longer active; he was clean. The first step for the unclean man is to confess, with full spiritual discernment, under the judgment of God who has brought to light what was at work in his nature. He makes up his mind as one judged and found out. He has no part in the assembly of God, though in one sense he belongs to it. He is put outside the camp.

Here the leprosy has broken out in the skin and covered it all, from the man's head to his foot. Before the priest's eye it has spread over his whole outside, and all is turned white. Yet, strange to say, God told the priest, looking at a sight so dreadful, to pronounce him clean — as indeed he was. Where sin abounded, grace far exceeded it. It is the denial of sin, and the claim to one's own righteousness, that cut off hope. Where there is no hiding, but the sin is out and the sins laid bare all over, God delights in saving. So the cross displayed all the wickedness of man, and God's love to the uttermost.

This tells us of the man who is willing to go on in sin, even though he admits he is a sinner. He is all covered with leprosy, but there is raw flesh — sin — actively working in him. It is very remarkable that many men in Scripture take the place of saying, "I have sinned." Yet not all of them get cleansing. David, Nehemiah, Job, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Micah, the prodigal son, and the thief on the cross all took the place of sinners and all received cleansing or blessing. But look at Pharaoh, Balaam, Achan, Saul, Shimei, and Judas: these all confess they have sinned, yet they perish. They all admit the leprosy, but the raw flesh is showing. There was no hatred of the sin, no desire to turn from it and give it up, no true repentance.

The leper shut out is not the helpless, ruined, guilty, convicted sinner whose guilt and misery have fully come out. Such a person is a fit subject for the love of God and the blood of Christ. No; in the excluded leper we see someone in whom sin is actually working — someone in whom there is the positive energy of evil. This is what defiles and shuts a person out from the enjoyment of the divine presence and the fellowship of the saints... It does not matter what kind or amount the evil is. Even the weight of a feather, even some foolish thought, must hinder fellowship as long as it keeps working.

This is encouraging enough for the man to "come" to the priest. The priest looks at him, sees the sore truly turned white, and pronounces him clean. The sore is no longer working with energy inside; it is turned white outside. The man comes himself, sure that he is clean, so that the priest may certify it according to God's will. Divine healing produces liberty of spirit.

So there was need of patient discernment, giving full attention to every sign present, and allowing time for new developments. The priest was to be the interpreter of these signs — for us the spiritual man, able to draw near to God, and having the mind of God. The judgment could never be left to the man himself. His opinion was not asked for and could not be accepted; he was far too involved in the matter to judge it calmly.

Leprosy was sin acting in the flesh. The spiritual man — the priest — discerns as to it. If the raw flesh appears, he is unclean; the strength of the flesh is at work. If the man was white all over, it was only the effect, as sin entirely confessed but no longer active; he was clean. The first step is for him to confess — and to confess under full spiritual discernment, and under the judgment of God, who has brought to light what was at work in his nature. He makes up his mind as one who has been judged and found out.

These all confess they have sinned, yet they perish. These all admit the leprosy, but they have the raw flesh appearing. There was no hatred of the sin. There was no desire to turn from it and give it up. There was no true repentance. But the active evil was still working in their flesh.

Strange to say, when the priest looked at such a dreadful sight, God told him to pronounce the man clean — and clean he really was. Where sin abounded, grace over-exceeded. It is the denial of sin, and the claim to one's own righteousness, that cut off hope. Where there is no hiding, but the sin is out and every sin laid bare, God delights in saving. So the cross displayed all the wickedness of man, and God's love to the very end. See in the robber crucified beside Jesus a living example of this great principle: "We indeed justly" sentenced to a death of torture; yet the man who hid nothing of his sins went that day to be in Paradise with the Saviour, the Son of God.

Instead of working with energy inside, the sore has turned white outside. The man comes himself, knowing he is clean, so that it can be certified according to God's will. Divine healing produces liberty of spirit.

So recovery and restoration are still possible. The priest's discernment should be able to recognize a good change in the attitude of someone who has been in a bad condition before.

Now, in the eyes of God, the poor leper is clean and spotless. The priest has pronounced him clean, and that pronouncement comes with all the authority and certainty of God Himself.

In the first case named, the boil is healed; but in its place there may be a white swelling, or a reddish-white bright spot. This is too serious to pass over. The man must bring it to the priest. The boil was not proof of leprosy, but it may give leprosy, hidden until now, the occasion to show itself. That is reason enough to call for the priest's inspection: in God's eyes, indifference is as intolerable as meddling with what He has not authorised.

Sin lives inside the believer. If you are not watchful and judging yourself, it will show itself in a sudden outburst of temper, in rash hasty words, or in being caught out in some fault. This is like a swelling in the skin or a burning boil... These sad displays of the flesh are not leprosy or wickedness, though leprosy or wickedness might grow out of them. But we must judge and watch such outbursts of our evil nature, or they will spread and become like a sore deeper than the skin.

Next we see how leprosy may develop out of an abscess or out of a burn. An infirmity left unwatched may in this way become the occasion of the most serious defilement. But however it arises, the signs of leprosy are essentially the same, and the treatment of the leper is always the same.

The priest was to be the one who read these signs — for us the spiritual man, able to draw near to God, and having the mind of God. In no case could the judgment rest with the man whose case it was. No one asked his opinion, and no one could accept it, for he was too closely involved to judge calmly.

Purely human considerations are out of the question. Even being an Israelite cannot block the action that is due; if anything, it calls for it. The word and will of Jehovah must rule in His appointed way. And the priest must obey God's directions as strictly as the Israelite. Does the trouble look deeper than the skin? Has the hair turned white? If so, the energy of evil is there and at work; and the priest shall pronounce the man unclean. It is the sore of leprosy broken out in the boil. On the other hand, if the priest finds no white hairs, and nothing but a surface mark, there is no instant clearance; the man waits seven days and is examined again. If it has spread much in the skin, the sore is plain, and the priest must not hesitate to say so; but if it has not spread and the bright spot stays as it was, it is only the scar of the boil, and the priest shall declare him clean.

There are real differences here, as the New Testament also teaches us. Someone "caught in any transgression" (Gal. 6:1) is not the serious case of a person who has settled into being an adulterer, greedy, an idolater, a reviler, a drunkard or a swindler (1 Cor. 5:11). In the first case, the man needs the restoring help of believers. In the second case he must be put out of the fellowship of saints, though with his eventual recovery in view.

We have next to consider how leprosy might show itself, and the care needed not to confuse other symptoms with that repulsive sore. Zeal for God is not to put out tenderness toward man: Jehovah Himself upholds and calls for both.

There can be no doubt that leprosy is as striking a picture of sin as the Bible offers. This chapter gives its instructions to Aaron as well as Moses. Detecting and treating leprosy was the priest's own responsibility. Note that leprosy, as a picture, puts the stress not so much on the guilt of sin as on its corrupting and defiling power.

A flare-up of temper or some other extreme excitement may pass, yet still leave its effects in evil ways and words. Quite a few people would judge harshly. But here the standard is the sanctuary of the Lord, and the judge is the one who is familiar with His presence. In the first case named, the boil is healed. But in its place there may be a white swelling, or a reddish-white spot. This is too serious to pass over. It must go to the priest. The boil was not to prove leprosy, but it may give occasion for leprosy, until now hidden, to show itself. And there is enough ground to call for the priest's inspection. In God's eyes, indifference is as intolerable as meddling that has no divine warrant.

There is a difference between personal weakness and the positive energy of evil. Mere defects and blemishes in the outward character are one thing; the activity of sin in the body is another... Take, for example, the matter of an irritable temper. I should judge it in myself; I should make allowance for it in another. Like the boil in an Israelite's case (vv. 19, 20), it may prove the source of real defilement — the ground of exclusion from the assembly. We must watch every form of weakness, in case it becomes an occasion of sin.

Other illnesses might wear the look of leprosy, but in fact be only suspicious symptoms. So there was this important provision: a man is not made the judge of his own sin. The law laid down that the Israelite should submit his condition to another man's inspection. That other man pictures a spiritual man, because that is what a priest means. He is one who is called to have the right of access to God. So he should have his senses trained to discern both good and evil by the standard of the sanctuary. He must not be carried away by conventional opinions, traditional thoughts, or what men call public opinion.

Merely human considerations are out of the question. Even being an Israelite cannot block the proper intervention — the opposite is true. The word and will of the Lord must rule in His appointed way. And the priest must submit to the divine directions as carefully as the Israelite. Does the trouble look deeper than the skin? Is the hair turned white? If so, the energy of evil lies there and is at work; and the priest shall pronounce the man unclean. It is the sore of leprosy broken out in the boil. On the other hand, the priest may find no white hairs, and nothing but a surface mark. Then there is no quick clearance, but a delay of seven days.

There are definitely things that differ, as the New Testament also teaches us. Anyone "caught in any transgression" (Gal. 6:1) is not the serious case of someone settled in a habit of sexual immorality, greed, idolatry, reviling, drunkenness or swindling (1 Cor. 5:11). In the first case, the person needs the restoring help of believers. In the second, he must be put away from the fellowship of saints, though with the aim of eventual recovery. Some cases are perfectly clear. Others are so difficult that they need special discernment. That is why the priest had time to be sure about the case.

In the first case the boil is healed, but in its place there may be a white swelling or a reddish-white bright spot. This is too serious to pass over. It must be brought to the priest. The boil did not prove leprosy, but it could give leprosy, hidden until now, the chance to show itself. And that is reason enough to call the priest to look: in God's eyes, indifference is as intolerable as meddling with what He has not authorised.

If two symptoms showed up — the hair in the sore turned white, and the sore deeper than the skin — then no question remained. It was leprosy, and the priest was to declare the person unclean. The white hair speaks of the decay of spiritual strength. The sore deeper than the skin shows that the sin is not just a small lapse... But when the case is clear, then God's word is clear: the person must be pronounced unclean.

First, the hair turned white is the sign of strength leaving... Freshness and vigour are gone. There may seem to be as much activity as before, but it takes more effort. There may even be more life on the outside, while inside it is weakened and fading.

Then the spot looks "deeper than the skin." This needs much closer attention than the white hair... It is simple enough to say that it means what is not on the surface. But how do we know that in the case of the sin we have to judge? No doubt this is designed to put us to work and to make us feel our need of God... "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." (James 1:5)

So there was this important provision: a man is not made the judge of his own sin. The law required the Israelite to bring his condition to someone else for inspection, and that someone else pictures a spiritual man, because that is what a priest means. He is one who has the right of access to God. So he should have his senses trained to tell good from evil by the standard of the sanctuary. He must not be swept along by conventional opinions, or by traditional thoughts, or by what people call public opinion.

There is a difference between personal weakness and the active energy of evil — between simple faults and blemishes in the outward character, and sin at work in us... Take an irritable temper as an example. I should judge it in myself; I should make allowance for it in another. Like "the burning boil" in the case of an Israelite, it may become the source of real defilement — the ground for being shut out of the assembly. Every form of weakness must be watched, in case it becomes an occasion of sin.

There are real differences here, as the New Testament also teaches us. "Anyone caught in any transgression" (Gal. 6:1) is not the same as the serious case of someone who has made a habit of being sexually immoral, greedy, an idolater, a reviler, a drunkard or a swindler (1 Cor. 5:11). In the first case the person needs other believers to restore him. In the second case he must be put out from the fellowship of the saints — though the goal is his recovery in the end.

Does the trouble look like it sits deeper than the skin? Has the hair turned white? If so, the energy of evil is inside it and at work, and the priest shall pronounce the man unclean. It is the sore of leprosy broken out in the boil. On the other hand, the priest may find no white hairs and nothing but a surface mark. Then there is no instant clearance. The man is held for seven days, and the priest examines him again. Suppose the priest sees no sign of activity, and no evil rooted under the skin, but instead a fading away. Then he may wait and hope. It may be only a passing evil and not a lasting habit.

Here the standard is the sanctuary of the LORD, and the judge is the one who is familiar with His presence. In the first case the boil has healed. But in its place there may be a white swelling, or a bright reddish-white spot. This is too serious to pass over. It must go to the priest. The boil itself was no proof of leprosy. But it may give hidden leprosy the occasion to show itself. That is ground enough to call for the priest's inspection. To God, indifference is as intolerable as meddling that He has not authorised.

Sin dwells within the believer. It will show itself if one is not watchful and walking in self-judgment. It comes out in a sudden outburst of temper, in rash hasty speech, or in being caught in some fault. This is like a rising in one's skin or like a burning boil... These sad displays of our evil nature are not leprosy or wickedness. Yet leprosy or wickedness might grow out of them. So we must judge and watch such outbursts, in case they spread and become like a sore deeper than the skin.

No one must be dealt with on mere suspicion... Certain clear and unmistakable signs marked out the disease. When these were present, the most immediate action was demanded: the leper was put out of the camp. So there are clear cases of wickedness. Anyone can see them for what they are, and prompt putting away is the only thing to do. But some symptoms looked like leprosy — a boil, a burn, baldness — and were still too unclear to treat as leprosy. To put such a suspected person out of the camp would be plain injustice. To leave him at large would be just as unsafe. He was shut up seven days, until the disease should show itself.

The priest had to make sure that no real leper stayed in the congregation of Israel. He had to be just as careful that no one was put out of the congregation who was not a leper. "Holiness could not permit anyone to remain in who ought to be out; and on the other hand, grace would not have anyone out who ought to be in."... Note how God commanded that the suspected one should not be treated in a hasty manner.

So for us today, if evil is at work, it will spread; if not, it will fade. How do we discern this? The surest sign that evil is not active is an attitude of self-judgment. In a case like this, an attitude of self-defence almost always shows that the evil is spreading.

Chapter 12 deals with the defilement that marks the very start of a person's life. Chapter 13 deals with that same defilement at work and growing all through his life, which takes so much detail. There can be no doubt that leprosy is as striking a picture of sin as the Bible gives. This chapter's instructions go to Aaron as well as Moses, because spotting and treating leprosy was the priest's own special work. Note that leprosy, as a picture, stresses not the guilt of sin so much as its corrupting and defiling power.

There is a difference between personal weakness and evil that is active — between mere faults and flaws in the outward character, and sin at work in us. Of course we must watch against our weaknesses. If we do not watch them, judge them and guard against them, they may become the source of real evil… Take an irritable temper as an example. I should judge it in myself; I should make allowance for it in another. Like "the burning boil" in an Israelite, it may become the source of real defilement — the ground for shutting a person out of the assembly. We must watch every form of weakness, or it becomes an occasion of sin.

So for us today, if evil is at work, it will spread: if not, it will fade. How do we tell? The surest sign that evil is not active is self-judgment. Here, self-defence almost always shows that the evil is spreading… If a believer falls into the same kind of sin after being forgiven, this shows that the root of the matter was never really judged.

Leprosy spreads. Even "a little leaven leavens the whole lump." Some may say that because they cannot see the damage, it does not spread. But leaven works quietly and unnoticed, and it never fails to work… So the priest kept close watch to see if the disease spread. If it did, that was sometimes enough evidence to decide the case.

But notice the care, the watchfulness, the complete patience required of the priest. He was not to treat anything as leprosy that was not leprosy, and he was not to let real leprosy slip past… One small neglect, one slight oversight, could lead to disaster. It could defile the assembly by leaving a confirmed leper inside it, or drive out a true member of God's people over a surface blemish.

Merely human considerations do not come into it. Even being an Israelite cannot stop the proper action; if anything, it makes action more necessary. The word and will of Jehovah must rule in His appointed way… Does the trouble look deeper than the skin? Has the hair turned white? If so, the energy of evil is there and at work, and the priest shall pronounce the man unclean. It is the sore of leprosy broken out in the boil. On the other hand, if the priest finds no white hairs and nothing but a surface mark, he does not clear the man at once. He waits seven days and examines him again. Then if it has spread much in the skin, the sore is plain, and the priest must not hesitate to say so; but if there is no spread, and the bright spot stays just as before, it is only the scar of the boil, and the priest shall declare him clean.

There really are things that differ, as the New Testament also teaches us. Someone "caught in any transgression" (Galatians 6:1) is not the serious case of a person who has made a habit of adultery, greed, idolatry, abusive speech, drunkenness or cheating others (1 Corinthians 5:11). The first man needs believers to restore him. The second must be put out of the fellowship of the saints, though the aim is still his recovery.

Does the trouble look deeper than the skin? Is the hair turned white? If so, the energy of evil is there and at work, and the priest shall pronounce the man unclean. But if the priest's inspection finds no white hairs, and nothing but a surface appearance, he does not clear the man on the spot. Instead the man waits seven days, and then the priest examines him again. Then if it has spread much in the skin, the sore is plain, and the priest must not hesitate to say so. But suppose there is no spread, and the bright spot stays just as it was. Then it is only the scar of the boil, and the priest shall declare him clean.

So for us today, if evil is at work, it will spread; if not, it will fade. How do we discern this? The surest sign that evil is not active is an attitude of self-judgment. In a case like this, an attitude of self-defense almost always shows that the evil is spreading. It may take a little time to be able to discern whether there is genuine self-judgment.

There is a difference between personal infirmity and the positive energy of evil. The one is mere defects and blemishes in the outward character; the other is the activity of sin in the members... We must not make any allowance for personal infirmity in ourselves. But we should make ample allowance for it in others. Take, for example, the matter of an irritable temper. I should judge it in myself; I should make allowance for it in another. It may, like "the burning boil" in the case of an Israelite, prove the source of real defilement.

In the case named first, the boil is healed. But in its place there may be a white swelling, or a bright spot that is reddish-white. This is too serious to pass over. It must be brought to the priest. The boil was not there to prove leprosy, but it may give hidden leprosy the occasion to show itself. There is enough ground to call for the priest's inspection. In God's eyes, indifference is as intolerable as meddling that He has not authorized.

But the priest was not to take this solemn step on suspicion, however strong the grounds for it might be. The case must first be made clear... This principle runs right through Scripture: do not act until enough unquestionable evidence has come to light. On another matter we read: "then you shall inquire and make search and ask diligently. And behold, if it be true and certain" (Deuteronomy 13:14)... Nothing can excuse haste in acting before the evil is most certainly made clear.

Two things claimed the priest's careful attention. One was the purity of the assembly. The other was the grace that would not exclude any member except on the most clearly established grounds. Holiness could not let anyone stay in who ought to be out. Grace, on the other hand, would not have anyone out who ought to be in. So the priest had the most urgent need of watchfulness, calmness, wisdom, patience, tenderness, and wide experience.

There was need of patient discernment. The priest had to give full attention to every sign present, and to allow time for new ones to appear. He was the interpreter of these signs — for us the spiritual man, who can draw near to God and has the mind of God. The judgment could never be left to the man whose case it was. His opinion was not sought and could not be accepted. He was too closely involved to be impartial.

We are next shown how leprosy may develop out of an abscess or out of a burn. An infirmity left unwatched may become an occasion of the most serious defilement. But however it may arise, the signs of leprosy are the same in substance, and the treatment of the leper is always the same.

The next case is not that of an ulcer said to be healed. There is a burning inflammation. The raw flesh that burns has a bright spot, white-reddish or white, since symptoms may differ a little. Here again the inflammation is no more leprosy than the boil or ulcer; the suspicion of worse is in the bright spot. Here too the priest must look, as the LORD commanded. Is something at work turning the hair white? Does it seem deeper than the skin? These signs tell the fatal tale. If so, leprosy has broken out in the inflammation.

Sin dwells within the believer. If one is not watchful and walking in self-judgment, it will show itself in a sudden outburst of temper, in rash hasty speech, or in being overtaken in some fault. This is like a rising in one's skin or like a burning boil. … These sad displays of the flesh are not leprosy or wickedness, though leprosy or wickedness might develop out of them. But we must judge and watch such outbursts of our evil nature, in case they spread and become like a sore deeper than the skin.

This called for patient discernment. The priest had to weigh every sign already there, and to give time for new signs to appear. He was the interpreter of these signs — for us the spiritual man, able to draw near to God, and having the mind of God. In no case could the judgment rest with the man in question. No one asked his opinion, and no one could accept it. He was too closely involved in the matter to be impartial.

The priest had to watch that no real leper stayed in the congregation of Israel. He had to be just as careful not to put out anyone who was not a leper. "Holiness could not permit anyone to remain in who ought to be out; and on the other hand, grace would not have anyone out who ought to be in." … And notice: God commanded that no one should rush the case of the man under suspicion.

You will not find the Priest impatient or cruel. You will find One who is filled with love and sympathy. He will look at those risings or swellings — that scab which marks some old trouble, perhaps an old quarrel, or bad feeling. He will look at those bright spots which you quite like, but which tell of something wrong inside, perhaps some self-indulgence which you love. He will not look in a hurry. His eye will never mistake. If there is any question, He will keep the one with these complaints shut away for seven days — or even for another seven days if need be.

There is a burning inflammation, and the raw flesh that burns has a bright spot, white-reddish or white, for symptoms may differ a little. Here again the inflammation is no more leprosy than the boil or ulcer; the suspicion of worse is in the bright spot. Here too the priest must look on according to the command of the Lord. Is there an active energy at work turning the hair white? Does it seem deeper than the skin? These indications tell the fatal tale. If so, it is a leprosy that has broken out in the inflammation. The priest cannot rightly shirk his painful but binding duty. Generosity in such a case is entirely misplaced, and a giving way to the devil. It is the sore of leprosy, and the man must be pronounced unclean.

Leprosy is the most stubborn and loathsome of diseases. It is so slight in its beginnings. Yet it holds on surely, and it spreads both within and around the unhappy person who has it. Its end is terrible. That is why it stands as the fitting type of the corruption of sin. So God Himself takes it into His own hand. He is the only One able to deal with it, and the cure lies with Him alone.

Sin dwells within the believer. If one is not watchful and walking in self-judgment, it will show itself in a sudden outburst of temper, in rash hasty speech, or in being overtaken in some fault... These sad displays of the flesh are not leprosy or wickedness, though leprosy or wickedness might develop out of them. But we need to judge and watch such outbursts of our evil nature, in case they spread and become like a sore deeper than the skin.

First, the hair turned white is the sign of departing strength. Decay of spiritual strength shows itself very plainly in such cases. Freshness and vigour are gone. There may seem to be as much activity as before, but it takes more effort. There may even be more outward life, while inside it is weakened and fading.

Not everything that looked like leprosy really was leprosy. And something that did not look like it might turn out to be it in the end. So there was need of patient discernment: full attention to all the signs already there, and room for new developments. And of these the priest was to be the interpreter — for us the spiritual man, able to draw near to God, and having the mind of God. In no case did the judgment belong to the man in question. No one asked his opinion, and no one could accept it, because he was too involved in the matter to be fair.

We are next shown how leprosy may develop out of an abscess or out of a burn. An infirmity left unwatched may become the occasion of the most serious defilement. But however it starts, the signs of leprosy are much the same, and the treatment of the leper is always the same... He was to dwell alone, outside the camp. Separated from the assembly, and in his true place, he might still hope in God. Help and healing in so great a trouble could come from Him alone.

The next case is not that of an ulcer said to be healed. There is a burning inflammation, and the raw flesh that burns has a bright spot, white-reddish or white, for symptoms may differ a little. Here again the inflammation is no more leprosy than the boil or ulcer. The suspicion of something worse lies in the bright spot… But suppose the priest looks and sees no sign of activity, and nothing evil seated under the surface, but rather a fading away. Then he may wait and hope that this is only a passing evil, and not something settled and lasting.

We are next shown how leprosy may develop out of an abscess or out of a burn. An infirmity unwatched may thus become an occasion of the most serious defilement.

There is a difference between personal weakness and the active energy of evil — between mere defects and blemishes in the outward character, and the working of sin in us. Of course, it is important to watch against our weaknesses. If we do not watch them, judge them, and guard against them, they may become the source of actual evil. (See vv. 14–28)… Take, for example, the matter of an irritable temper. I should judge it in myself; I should make allowance for it in another.

First, the hair turned white is the sign of strength departing. In such cases the decay of spiritual strength is easy to see. Freshness and vigour are gone. There may seem to be as much activity as before, but it takes more effort. There may even be more outward life, while inside the person is weakened and fading.

The person was to be isolated for seven days. This does not speak of someone being put out of fellowship. It speaks only of his losing certain privileges of practical fellowship for the time being, until the matter was cleared up. If no change had taken place after seven days, then another seven days of probation were added. In that time, if the sore had faded and had not spread, the priest was to pronounce the person clean, and he needed only to wash his clothes.

Two things called for the priest's watchful care. One was the purity of the assembly. The other was grace, which could not allow any member to be shut out except on the clearest grounds. Holiness could not let anyone stay in who ought to be out. Grace would not have anyone out who ought to be in… A judgement formed in haste, a conclusion reached too quickly, might bring the most serious consequences, either for the assembly or for one of its members.

The priest was to be the interpreter — for us the spiritual person, able to draw near to God, and having the mind of God. The judgement could never be left to the man under question. No one asked for his opinion, and no one could accept it, because he was too closely involved to judge calmly.

You will not find the Priest impatient or cruel. You will find One who is filled with love and sympathy… He will not look in a hurry. His eye will never make a mistake. If there is any question, He will shut up the one with these complaints for seven days — or even for another seven days if need be.

There is a burning inflammation, and the raw flesh that burns has a bright spot, white-reddish or white, for symptoms may differ a little. Here again the inflammation is no more leprosy than the boil or ulcer; the suspicion of worse is in the bright spot… But suppose the priest looks and sees no sign of activity, and no evil seated under the surface, but a fading away instead. Then he may wait and hope that it is only a passing evil and not a settled habit… But if it has not spread, and the bright spot remains in its place, the priest must pronounce him clean.

We are next shown how leprosy may develop out of an abscess or out of a burn. A weakness left unwatched can become an occasion of the most serious defilement.

Sin dwells within the believer. If one is not watchful and walking in self-judgment, it will show itself in a sudden outburst of temper, in rash hasty speech, or in being caught out in some fault… These sad displays of our sinful nature are not leprosy or wickedness, though leprosy or wickedness might grow out of them. But we must judge and watch such outbursts of our evil nature, or they may spread and become like a sore deeper than the skin.

So for us today, if evil is at work, it will spread: if not, it will fade. How do we discern this? The surest sign that evil is not active is an attitude of self-judgment. In a case like this, an attitude of self-defense almost always shows that the evil is spreading.

An outburst of temper or other extreme excitement, once it has passed, may leave its effects in evil ways and words. Quite a few people would be inclined to judge harshly. But here the standard is the sanctuary of Jehovah, and the judge is the man who is at home in His presence… And there is enough ground to call for the priest's inspection. In God's eyes, indifference is as intolerable as meddling that has no authority from God.

The priest was to be the interpreter of these signs — for us the spiritual man, able to draw near to God, and having the mind of God. The judgment could never be left to the man whose own case was in question. No one asked his opinion, and no one could accept it: he was too closely involved to be impartial.

If the signs were not clear, and there was still room for doubt, he was to be shut up for a while — not shut out, but shut up. A possible leper must not defile Israel, and on the other hand no one must treat the man as what he may not be. God's people must not act in the dark, but in the light.

A scaly sore in the head or beard would need careful inspection to tell it apart from leprosy (vv. 29-34). The display of our attractiveness might hide it from view. In the same way, some people have attractive features and behaviour, likeable and winning ways. These sometimes hide completely the leaven they carry with them. It is good to be aware of this. We must never forget that leaven can hide itself under the most pleasing exterior.

Verses 29 to 37 take up suspected leprosy in the head or beard. The priest had to examine it in the same way. If he confirmed leprosy, the patient was unclean; if not, he declared him clean. Leprosy in the head would speak of the mind wrongly affected by doctrine that twists the truth. If a man is only mistaken, that can be put right. But if he holds on to a gravely false doctrine, and others work with him to correct him, and he is determined not to change, that makes him unfit for the fellowship of believers.

Here the suspected evil attacked what partly marks out a woman, and what wholly marks out a man. The priest had to look and judge. Was it in appearance deeper than the skin? Still more, was there yellow hair in it? If so, a destructive energy was at work, against the body's normal state. Black hair was a sign of health. Yellow, thin hair showed the terrible disease at work, and the priest had only to pronounce him unclean. This was not just a scaly sore but leprosy of the head or of the beard.

The priest was to be the interpreter of these signs — for us the spiritual man, able to draw near to God, and having the mind of God. The judgment could never be left to the man in question. No one asked his opinion, and no one could accept it. He was too closely involved in the matter to be impartial.

Still, suspicion was not to be acted on. There had to be positive proof before anyone could call it leprosy. And there were signs which, though patience might be needed, would not deceive.

Everything here plainly marks the holiness Jehovah demanded in His people. And this did not rest on a man's estimate of his own state, nor on the casual opinion of a fellow Israelite. What was offensive in His eyes and unfit for any part in His congregation had to be brought to the man who was at home in His sanctuary. He was bound to judge by His word, according to that standard; for there Jehovah dwelt. The same principle applies still, and more fully since Christ came and accomplished redemption. He too is the ever accessible and watchful priest who cannot fail to discern and act to God's glory.

The priest had to look and judge. Did it look deeper than the skin? Even more telling, was there yellow hair in it? If so, some destructive energy was at work, against the body's normal condition. Black hair was a sign of health, so yellow thin hair showed the disease was active, and the priest had only to declare the person unclean. It was not only a scall but leprosy of the head or the beard. But if the priest looked and saw the sore was only on the surface, even with no black hair in it, there was hope.

Here, in that foul and hopeless disease, we have the most typical picture of sin. Other illnesses might wear its evil look, but in fact they showed only suspicious symptoms. So the law made this important provision: a man is not the judge of his own sin. The Israelite had to bring his condition to someone else for inspection, and that someone pictures a spiritual man, for that is what a priest means. He is really a person with the right of access to God, and so he should have his senses trained to tell good from evil by the standard of the sanctuary. As such he must not be carried away by conventional opinions, or traditional thoughts, or what people call public opinion — one of the most harmful things that corrupt holy moral judgment in the children of God.

The hair shields the animal from the rain, and protects it from extremes of cold and heat. So it stands for separation. So the Nazarite let his hair grow long as a sign of his separation from everything that would defile (Num. 6:5). If defilement came in, he had to shave off his hair as a sign that he had lost his separation. One of the signs of leprosy was the hair turning its colour, or sometimes its falling out was the forerunner of this disease (Lev. 13:30, 42). When the strength of separation was not kept up, defilement and sin followed.

"A scall" in the head, or beard, would need careful inspection to tell it apart from leprosy. (vv. 29-34.) Our own good looks might hide it from view. In the same way, the attractive face and manner of some people, their pleasant and winning ways, can at times hide the leaven they carry with them. It is good to be aware of this. We must never forget that leaven can hide under the most attractive exterior.

Leprosy in the head would speak of the mind being twisted by doctrine that perverts the truth. If someone is simply mistaken, that can be put right. But suppose a person holds firmly to a gravely false teaching, and others work with him to correct him, and he is determined not to change. Then he becomes unfit for the fellowship of believers.

There can be no doubt that leprosy is as striking a picture of sin as the Bible gives. God gives the instructions of this chapter to Aaron as well as Moses, because finding and treating leprosy was the priest's own work. Note that leprosy, as a picture, lays stress not on the guilt of sin so much as on its corrupting and defiling power.

"A scall" in the head, or beard, would need careful inspection to tell it apart from leprosy (vv. 29-34). The display of our attractiveness might hide it from view. In the same way, some people have pleasant, attractive features and behaviour. Their likeable and winning ways at times completely hide the leaven they carry with them. It is well to be aware of this. We must never forget that leaven may hide itself under the most attractive exterior.

Was it in appearance deeper than the skin? Still more, was there yellow hair in it? If so, an energy of mischief was at work, contrary to the body in its normal state. The presence of black hair was a sign of health. Yellow thin hair showed the terrible disease in an active form, and the priest had only to pronounce him unclean. It was not only a scall but leprosy of the head or of the beard. If, however, the priest on looking saw the sore to be on the surface, though no black hair was in it, there was hope.

If there was still room for doubt, he was to be shut up for a while — not shut out, but shut up. Israel must not be defiled by a possible leper, while on the other hand the man must not be treated as what he may not be. God's people must not act in the dark, but in the light. The great decisive point would now be whether the disease would spread or was stopped.

On the one hand the priest had to watch that no real leper stayed in the congregation of Israel. On the other hand he had to take just as much care not to put out anyone who was not a leper. "Holiness could not permit anyone to remain in who ought to be out; and on the other hand, grace would not have anyone out who ought to be in."

This is why the same expressions keep coming back: "The priest shall look"; "The priest shall shut up the person who has the disease for seven days"; "And the priest shall look on him the seventh day"; "Then the priest shall shut him up seven days more." … The priest was not to judge any case hastily, or decide it rashly. He was not to form an opinion from mere hearsay. Personal observation, priestly discernment, calm reflection, strict adherence to the written word — the holy, infallible guide book. The priest needed all of these to form a sound judgement of each case.

Leprosy in the head would speak of doctrine that twists the truth and warps the mind. If someone is simply mistaken, that can be put right. But suppose a person holds firmly to a seriously false doctrine. Others work hard to correct him, and still he refuses to change. He is then unfit for the fellowship of believers.

This solemn action was not to be based on suspicion, however strong the grounds for it might be. The case must first be clearly shown. If there were the least question about it, the priest was to shut the man up for seven days. Then he was to look at him again on the seventh day. If he was not satisfied then, he might shut him up for seven days more, and look at him again on the seventh day. By then he could expect the case to be clear enough to pronounce him clean or unclean. This principle runs all through Scripture: do not act before enough unquestionable evidence has come to light. On another matter we read: "then you shall inquire and make search and ask diligently. And behold, if it be true and certain..." (Deut. 13:14.)

Was it deeper than the skin in appearance? Still more, was there yellow hair in it? If so, there was an energy of mischief at work, contrary to the normal constitution. Black hair was a sign of health. But yellow thin hair showed the fierce disease in an active form, and the priest had only to pronounce him unclean. It was not only a scall but leprosy of the head or of the beard. If, however, the priest on looking saw the sore to be on the surface, though no black hair was in it, there was hope. But the man was to be shut up for a full term of waiting. If on the seventh day there was no spreading, no yellow hair, and the sore was only skin deep, he must shave himself (not the sore), and be shut up again in the same way.

If there was still room for doubt, he was to be shut up for a while — not shut out, but shut up. Israel must not be defiled by a possible leper, while on the other hand the man must not be treated as what he may not be. God's people must not act in the dark, but in the light. The great decisive point now was whether the disease spread or stopped.

From verse 29 to 37 the matter of suspected leprosy in the head or beard is considered. The priest had to examine these cases in the same way. If leprosy was confirmed, the patient was unclean. If not, the priest pronounced him clean. Leprosy in the head would speak of the intellect being wrongly affected by doctrine that is a perversion of the truth. If someone is simply mistaken, that can be corrected. But suppose he holds a seriously false doctrine. If others work with him to correct him and he is determined not to change, then he becomes unfit for the fellowship of believers.

You will not find the Priest impatient or cruel. You will find One who is filled with love and sympathy... He will not look hurriedly. His eye will never mistake. If there is any question, He will shut up the one with these complaints for seven days — or even for another seven days if need be.

Everything here plainly marks the holiness Jehovah demanded in His people. And this did not rest on a man's estimate of his own state, nor on the casual opinion of a fellow Israelite. Whatever was offensive in His eyes and unfit for any part in His congregation had to be brought before the one who was used to His sanctuary. He was bound to judge by His word, according to that standard; for there Jehovah dwelt. The same principle applies still, and more fully since Christ came and accomplished redemption. He too is the ever accessible and watchful priest who cannot fail to discern and act to God's glory.

Black hair was a sign of health, while thin yellow hair showed the disease was active, and then the priest had only to declare the man unclean. But if the priest looked and saw the sore was only on the surface, even though no black hair was in it, there was hope. He had to be shut away for a full term of waiting. Then, if on the seventh day the priest inspected him and found no spreading, no yellow hair, and the sore only skin deep, he had to shave himself — but not the sore — and be shut away again in the same way.

An "itch" in the head or beard would need careful inspection to tell it apart from leprosy. (vv. 29-34.) The good looks we put on display might hide it from view. So the attractive features and behaviour of some people, their pleasant and winning ways, at times completely hide the leaven they carry with them. It is well to be aware of this. We must never forget that leaven may hide itself under the most attractive exterior.

Hair is something on the surface, but its roots go deep within. So the leper's hair becomes a symbol of the actions that spring from that corrupt nature inside. Shaving the hair pictures cutting off those actions, by applying the sharp razor of self-judgment to oneself.

If the unmistakable signs were missing, but there was still real cause for concern — some visible spot, for God would not allow acting on mere suspicion — then the man was neither let go free nor shut out of the camp. He was shut away for seven days. He was not denied his place altogether, and he was not allowed to enjoy it. There could be no indifference: tenderness and watchfulness each had their place.

The priest was not to judge any case in haste, or decide it rashly. He was not to form an opinion from mere hearsay. Seeing for himself, discernment as a priest, calm reflection, strict adherence to the written word — the holy guide book that is never wrong — the priest needed every one of these if he was to form a sound judgement of each case.

The priest was to be the one who read the signs — for us, the spiritual person, able to draw near to God and having the mind of God. The judgment could never be left to the man whose case it was. His opinion was not asked for, and it could not be accepted, since he was too closely involved to be impartial.

So for us today, if evil is at work, it will spread; if not, it will fade. How do we tell? The surest sign that evil is not active is an attitude of self-judgment. In a case like this, an attitude of self-defence almost always shows that the evil is spreading. It may take a little time to tell whether the self-judgment is genuine: there can seem to be self-judgment when it is not really there.

The priest had to look and judge. Did it appear deeper than the skin? More than that, was there yellow hair in it? If so, a destructive force was at work, against the body in its normal state... But if the priest looked and saw that the sore was only on the surface, even though no black hair was in it, there was hope. Even so, the man was shut away for a full term of waiting. If on the seventh day the priest inspected him and found no spreading, no yellow hair, and the sore only skin deep, the man had to shave himself (not the sore), and be shut away again in the same way. If the priest then looked after this fresh time apart and found the sore had neither spread nor gone deeper, the man had the right to be pronounced clean, and he was then told to wash his clothes and be clean.

This serious step was never to be taken on suspicion, however strong the grounds might be. The case had to be made plain first. If there was the least question about it, the priest shut the man away for seven days and looked at him again on the seventh day. If he was still not satisfied, he could shut him away for seven more days and look at him again on the seventh day. By then he could expect the case to be clear enough to pronounce the man clean or unclean... Careful investigation is good, and so is prayer to God to bring the truth to light. But nothing can excuse haste in acting before the evil has been made certain.

An itch on the head or chin needed careful inspection to tell it apart from leprosy. (vv. 29-34.) The way we display our good looks might hide it from view. In the same way the pleasant looks and behaviour of some people, their friendly and winning manner, can at times completely hide the leaven they carry with them. It is good to be aware of this. We must never forget that leaven can hide itself under the most attractive exterior.

Leprosy in the head would picture the mind being wrongly affected by teaching that twists the truth. If a person is simply mistaken, that can be put right. But suppose someone holds to a seriously false doctrine. Others work with him to try to correct him, and he is still determined not to change. Then he is unfit for the fellowship of believers.

Plainly, everything here marks the holiness the LORD demanded in His people. It was not left to a man's own estimate of his state, nor to the casual opinion of a fellow Israelite. Whatever was offensive in His eyes and had no place in His congregation had to be brought to the man who served in His sanctuary and was bound to judge by His word, by that standard; for that is where the LORD lived among them. The same principle applies still, and more fully since Christ came and accomplished redemption. He too is the priest who is always available and always watchful, who cannot fail to discern and act for God's glory.

Notice that the cleansed man washes his clothes. What is that? He changes his ways altogether, and gets rid of the thing that was the hindrance. In practice, he is washed by the Word.

"A scall" in the head or beard would need careful inspection to tell it apart from leprosy (vv. 29-34). The display of our attractiveness might hide it from view. The same is true of people. Their attractive features and behaviour, their likeable and winning ways, sometimes do hide the leaven they carry with them. It is well to be aware of this. We must never forget that leaven may hide itself under the most attractive exterior.

Leprosy in the head would speak of the mind being corrupted by teaching that perverts the truth. If someone is only mistaken, that can be corrected. But suppose a person is committed to a seriously false doctrine. Others work with him to correct him, and still he refuses to change. Then he is unfit for the fellowship of believers.

If there was still room for doubt, he was to be shut up for a while — not shut out, but shut up. Israel must not be defiled by a possible leper, while on the other hand the man must not be treated as what he may not be. God's people must not act in the dark, but in the light. The great decisive point would now be whether the disease would spread or was stopped. If it did not spread, he was to be told to wash his clothes, and he would be clean... But if the disease spread even after this, the earlier decision must be recalled: the man was unclean.

If evil is at work, it will spread; if not, it will fade. How do we discern this? The surest sign that evil is not active is an attitude of self-judgment... Suppose the same thing surfaced again, even after the priest had pronounced someone clean. The priest was to examine the person again. If he found it had spread, he was to pronounce him unclean. If a believer falls into the same kind of sin after being forgiven, this shows the root of the matter was never really judged.

Not everything that looked like leprosy really was leprosy. And something that did not look like it might turn out to be. So there was need of patient discernment, giving full attention to all the signs present, and time for new developments. The priest was to be the interpreter of these signs — for us the spiritual person, able to draw near to God, and having the mind of God.

There is also provision against an unhealthy judgment and despair, which Satan knows how to use for injury and ruin. It also provides against the more common danger of a scrutiny that is too light and too easy on ourselves... Grace is as opposed to severity as it is to laxness. It is holy, but it is neither hard nor careless nor compromising. God is light, and God is love.

Another case appears, with signs of evil on the head or on the beard. This at once arrests attention. For it turned what was attractive into its opposite. Deadly evil darkened what should display beauty of its kind.

Was it deeper than the skin in appearance? Still more, was there yellow hair in it? If so, there was an energy of mischief at work, contrary to the body in its normal state. Black hair was a sign of health. Thin yellow hair showed the dreadful disease in an active form, and the priest had only to pronounce him unclean.

Leprosy is marked by three things: it destroys, it defiles, and it spreads. Even "a little leaven leavens the whole lump." Some may be quick to say that it does not spread, because they cannot see its damage. But leaven works quietly and unnoticed, and it works most surely. God's Word assures us that leaven, even a little, leavens. The priest therefore watched carefully to see if the plague spread. If it did, that would sometimes be enough evidence to decide the case.

The great decisive point would now be whether the disease would spread or was stopped. If it did not spread, he was to wash his clothes, and he would be clean. There had been minor uncleanness, or there would have been no need to suspend judgment like this. But if the disease spread even after this, the earlier decision must be withdrawn: the man was unclean.

And of these the priest was to be the interpreter — for us the spiritual man, able to draw near to God, and having the mind of God. In no case did the judgment rest with the man in question. No one asked his opinion, and no one could accept it. He was too closely involved in the matter to be impartial.

Verses 29 to 37 deal with suspected leprosy in the head or beard. The priest had to examine it in the same way. If he confirmed leprosy, the patient was unclean; if not, he pronounced him clean. Leprosy in the head would speak of doctrine that perverts the truth and wrongly affects the mind. If someone is simply mistaken, that can be corrected. But someone may hold a seriously false doctrine and stay determined not to change, even after others work with him to correct him. Then he is unfit for the fellowship of believers.

Everything, it is plain, marks the holiness Jehovah demanded in His people. A man's estimate of his own state did not settle it, and neither did the casual opinion of a fellow Israelite. Whatever was offensive in His eyes and unfit for any part in His congregation had to come before the one who was used to His sanctuary. He was bound to judge by His word, according to that standard, for Jehovah dwelt there. The same principle applies still. It applies even more fully now that Christ has come and accomplished redemption. He too is the ever accessible and watchful priest who cannot fail to discern and act for God's glory.

Was it deeper than the skin in appearance? Still more, was there yellow hair in it? If so, an energy of mischief was at work, contrary to the body in its normal state. Black hair was a sign of health. Thin yellow hair showed the dreadful disease at work, and the priest had only to pronounce him unclean. If the priest saw the sore was only on the surface, and no black hair was in it, there was still hope. He had to shut the man away for a full term of waiting. If on the seventh day he saw no spreading and no yellow hair, and the sore was only skin deep, the man had to shave himself — not the sore — and be shut away again. If the priest then found the sore neither spreading nor deeper, the man was entitled to be pronounced clean.

A sore in the head or beard would need careful inspection to tell it apart from leprosy. What sets off our good looks might hide it from view. In the same way, some people have attractive features and behaviour, with pleasant and winning ways. At times these hide the leaven they carry with them. It is worth being aware of this. We must never forget that leaven may hide itself under the most attractive exterior.

From verse 29 to 37 the matter of suspected leprosy in the head or beard is considered. Similar examination was necessary. If it confirmed leprosy, the patient was unclean. If not, the priest pronounced him clean. Leprosy in the head would speak of a mind wrongly affected by doctrine that perverts the truth. If someone is simply mistaken, that can be corrected. But someone may be committed to a seriously false doctrine. If others work with him to correct him and he is determined not to change, then he is unfit for the fellowship of believers.

Recovery and restoration are still possible. A priest's discernment should be able to recognise a favourable change in the attitude of someone who has been in a bad condition before.

Everything here marks the holiness Jehovah demanded in His people. This did not rest on a man's own view of his state, nor on the casual opinion of a fellow Israelite. Whatever offended His eyes and was unfit for any part in His congregation had to be brought to one man. He knew His sanctuary and was bound to judge by His word, by that standard. For there Jehovah dwelt. The same principle applies still, and more fully since Christ came and accomplished redemption. He too is the ever-accessible and watchful priest who cannot fail to discern and act for God's glory.

The man who had a swelling, a scab or a bright spot might say, "I do not consider these things of any importance. In my opinion, and in the opinion of all the great scientists, these things do not matter." Friend, the first thing this man must learn is that his own opinion and the opinion of every other living man, except the priest, has no value or importance at all. It is not even of any interest. The whole question is, "What does the priest say?"

The law told the Israelite to bring his condition to another man for inspection, and that other man pictures a spiritual man, for that is what a priest means. A priest is one who has the right to come to God. So he should train his senses to tell good from evil by the standard of the sanctuary. He must not be carried along by conventional opinions, traditional thoughts, or what men call public opinion. That is one of the most harmful things for corrupting holy moral judgment in the children of God.

But there is also provision against a gloomy judgment and despair, which Satan knows how to use for injury and ruin. It guards too against the more common danger of a check that is too light and too easy on oneself... Here again the law calls for the priest to use discernment. If the spots were pale or dull in colour, it was not leprosy, but a different rash that had broken out in the skin. The person was clean. Grace stands against harshness as much as against looseness. It is holy, but neither hard nor careless or compromising. God is light, and God is love.

There must be the utmost deliberation and care in judging. To pin so horrible a label on someone, in body or in spirit, without being completely sure, is either malice or wicked carelessness... Here was the main test of leprosy. The other ailments tended to get better and more contained under watching and care. Leprosy always tended to get worse and to spread.

Weakness is not leprosy at all. A man might be bald on his head, or bald at the forehead. Either way it was no more than weakness. Weakness is not sin — and we should not call sin weakness either, as people so often do.

There is a difference between personal infirmity and the positive energy of evil — between mere defects and blemishes in the outward character, and the activity of sin in the members... We must not make any allowance for personal infirmity, in ourselves, though we should make ample allowance for it in others. Take, for example, the matter of an irritable temper. I should judge it in myself; I should make allowance for it in another.

But leprosy may spring up in any of them — a red spot or a scab, a swelling or a boil, a scaly patch or a bald spot. So if we drop our guard and start giving way to the indulgences and weaknesses of the flesh, or the desires of the mind, it can easily go on to wilful acts. Those call for the most serious dealing that God can use toward man on earth.

Leprosy is the most stubborn and loathsome of diseases. It is so slight in its beginnings, so sure in its grip and in its power to spread both inside and around the unhappy person who has it, so terrible in its end. So it is used as the fitting picture of the corruption of sin. God Himself therefore takes it into His own hand. He is the only One able to deal with it, and the only One with whom its cure is found.

God also makes provision against gloomy judgment and despair, which Satan knows how to use for injury and ruin. He makes provision too against the more common danger of a light, self-sparing examination. A man or a woman might have bright white spots on the skin. Here again the priest must discern. If the spots were pale or dull in colour, it was not leprosy, but a different rash that had broken out in the skin. The person was clean. Grace is as opposed to severity as it is to laxness. It is holy, but neither hard nor careless nor compromising. God is light, and God is love.

There is a difference between personal weakness and the positive energy of evil. Mere defects and blemishes in the outward character are one thing; the activity of sin in the members is another. It is important to watch against our weaknesses. If we do not watch them, judge them, and guard against them, they may become the source of positive evil... We must not make any allowance for personal weakness in ourselves. We should make ample allowance for it in others. Take an irritable temper, for example. I should judge it in myself; I should make allowance for it in another.

Leprosy is a matter for priestly discernment — the discernment that grows out of nearness to God and out of enjoying His word in fellowship with Him. This makes the Scriptures the judge of what leprosy is. In a plain, clear case there must be no flinching from judgment. On the other hand, there must be no undue haste to judge. If the case is not clear at the first examination, it must then be watched. Things that differ must be told apart. A mistake, an unintentional error, being suddenly caught out in a fault, anything in which the mind of the flesh is not really at work, must not be mistaken for leprosy. Leprosy is the mind of the flesh in active opposition to the will of God. What look like symptoms of leprosy may indeed be ground for suspicion, but they are not ground for judgment.

Again, there are various weaknesses and infirmities which belong to us all, but which priestly discernment will readily distinguish from leprosy. Still, these things may develop into leprosy, or be the occasion of its setting in. While they need careful attention, they must not be confused with the activity of inward evil.

The mark of leprosy is at first the bright white spot. It does not look bad at all in the beginning. There must be the greatest care and deliberation in judging. It is either malice or wicked thoughtlessness to attach such a horrible stigma, in a physical or a spiritual sense, without complete certainty. The main test of leprosy was this: the other ailments tended to get better and more limited as they were watched and cared for, but leprosy always tended to get worse and to spread.

Verses 38 and 39 deal with a case where there were no real symptoms of leprosy at all. Yet if a question was raised, the priest had to examine the person and pronounce him clean. Baldness, whether full or partial, was not to be treated as suspect (vv. 40-41). Yet a bald head might develop a sore. The priest had to examine that too, just as in other cases, with the same care, and reach a decision one way or the other.

But there is also provision against a morbid judgment and despair. Satan knows how to use that for injury and ruin. There is provision too against the more common danger: a scrutiny that is too light and too easy on itself... Grace is as opposed to severity as it is to laxness. It is holy, but neither hard nor careless nor compromising. God is light, and God is love.

Another case comes next, which there was still less reason to confuse with leprosy. Weakness is nothing of the sort. A man's hair might fall off his head in general, or from the parts of his head toward his face. He might be bald, or bald at the forehead. In either case it was no more than weakness. And weakness is not sin, any more than sin should be called weakness, as is too often done. The apostle gloried in his weaknesses, his trials and sufferings. No saint could make light of a single sin; still less could he glory in sins. Whoever does so proclaims himself a leper; and his claim to be a saint is utter delusion.

First I take the man whose hair fell off his head (Lev. 13:40). That hair in Old Testament Scripture is a figure of natural strength will not be disputed by anyone here... Samson lost his hair, and his power was gone: "he did not know that the LORD had departed from him." How far we may get from God without knowing it! His hair gone, his power gone, he was at once easy prey for his enemies, who put his eyes out.

"Go up, bald head!" they cry out to him, because in his person he shows signs of decline, of old age, and of reproach. Yet nonetheless the law declares such a man to be clean and not defiled (Lev. 13:40-41). God should have looked for simple faith from these people. Instead they reject the one who represents the Messiah and bears witness to Him.

There may also be a bald spot — a bald head, or bald forehead (vv. 40, 41). It is a lack of ordinary strength and of natural comeliness shown by someone in Israel, yet he is clean... But leprosy may spring up in any of them: a red spot or a scab, a swelling or a boil, an itch or a bald spot. So if we are unguarded, we begin to give way to the indulgences and weaknesses of the flesh, or the desires of the mind. That can grow into wilful action which calls for the most serious dealing that God can exercise toward man on earth.

It is a serious thing to have a bald head in spiritual things — weakness set in first, then the disease. Weakness in itself is no disease, but it makes a person open to any epidemic. How different the effect of a chill is on a strong man and a weak one! The first shakes it off easily, but it may kill the second.

There can be no doubt that leprosy is one of the most striking pictures of sin the Bible offers. The instructions of this chapter are given to Aaron as well as to Moses, because finding and treating leprosy was the priest's own special work. Note that leprosy, as a picture, stresses not so much the guilt of sin as its corrupting and defiling power.

A man's hair might fall out from his head in general, or from the part of his head toward his face. He might be bald, or bald at the forehead. In either case it was no more than weakness, and weakness is not sin — any more than sin should be called weakness, as people too often do. The apostle gloried in his weaknesses, his trials and sufferings. No saint could make light of a single sin. Still less could he glory in sins. Whoever does so declares himself a leper, and his claim to be a saint is a complete delusion.

There is provision here against a sick self-judgment and despair, which Satan knows how to use for harm and ruin. There is provision too against the more common danger: an examination that is too light and too easy on ourselves... Grace is as much against harshness as it is against looseness. It is holy, but it is neither hard nor careless nor compromising. God is light, and God is love.

In Old Testament Scripture, hair is a figure of natural strength. When Samson had his hair on, neither man nor beast could touch him. Samson lost his hair, and his power was gone. He was at once easy prey for his enemies... It is a serious thing to have a bald head in spiritual things — weakness set in first, then the disease. Weakness by itself is no disease, but it leaves you open to any epidemic. See how differently a chill affects a strong man and a weak one! The strong man shakes it off easily, but it may kill the weak one. With all the troubles around us today, I believe that in most cases the weakness was there first. So it matters very much that we should not lose a hair.

Whether it is a red spot or a scab, a swelling or a boil, a scaly patch or a bald spot, it is possible that leprosy may spring up in any of them. So if we are careless and begin to give way to the indulgences and weaknesses of the flesh, or the desires of the mind, it may easily go on to the kind of wilful acts that call for the most serious dealing God can use toward man on earth. Even in a bald spot leprosy may spring up.

The forehead is a common place for leprosy to show itself. Many people today have the plague of leprosy in their heads and have not the least idea that they are completely unclean. They have their own ideas. They reason things out with their own mind. They trust their own heads instead of the Word of God. Pride, and above all pride of intellect, is the root of the trouble when the leprosy is in the head. We may see a terrible example of this in Uzziah. His pride made him take the place that belonged to the priests alone, and the leprosy rose up in his forehead.

Elisha goes up to Bethel. Children, created to give praise, mock the man of God!... "Go up, bald head!" they cry out to him, because in himself he shows the marks of decay, of old age, and of reproach. Yet the law still declares such a man to be clean and not defiled (Lev. 13:40-41).

Another case comes next, which there was still less reason to confuse with leprosy. Weakness is nothing of the sort. He might be bald, or bald at the forehead. In either case it was no more than infirmity. Infirmity is not sin — and sin should not be called infirmity, as it too often is.

It is a serious thing to have a bald head in spiritual things — weakness set in first, then the disease. Weakness in itself is no disease, but it leaves you open to any epidemic. How different the effect of a chill is on a strong man and a weak one! The strong man shakes it off easily, but it may kill the weak one.

Suppose we are careless, and begin to give way to the indulgences and weaknesses of the flesh, or the desires of the mind. That may easily go on to wilful action of the kind that calls for the most serious dealing God can exercise toward man on earth. Even in a bald spot leprosy may spring up.

How many there are today who have the plague of leprosy in their heads, yet have not the least idea that they are "utterly unclean." They have their own ideas. They reason things out with their own minds. They trust their own heads instead of the Word of God. Pride, and especially pride of intellect, is the root of the trouble when the leprosy is in the head. We may see a terrible example of this in Uzziah, whose pride made him take the place that belonged to the priests alone. "But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the LORD his God and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense… leprosy broke out on his forehead, in the presence of the priests in the house of the LORD, by the altar of incense."

Leprosy in the head would speak of the intellect being wrongly affected by doctrine that is a perversion of the truth. If it were only a matter of one being mistaken, this could be corrected. But someone may be committed to holding a seriously false doctrine. If others work with him to correct him and he is determined not to change, then he is unfit for the fellowship of believers.

But where there is weakness, as here in a bald head or forehead, there might be something worse — "a reddish-white diseased area." Then it is most serious. It is nothing other than leprosy breaking out there. The priest looks at him and sees it is really so. "He is a leprous man; he is unclean: the priest shall pronounce him utterly unclean; his sore is in his head." It is a hopeless case. Delay was uncalled for; waiting was an idle form. Human mercy, or generosity, in such a case would be of Satan. "Holiness befits your house, O LORD, forevermore."

The evil must be clear, or admitted by the person, or established "by the evidence of two or three witnesses." If these are missing, we must wait on God and ask Him to bring everything to light. … There might be certain symptoms that looked like leprosy — a boil, a burn, baldness — which were still too unclear to treat as such. The priest shut such a man away for seven days, until the disease showed itself. If doubt remained, he shut him away again.

Identifying leprosy is of course the first thing, and the chapter gives the marks at length. Not everything that looked like leprosy really was, and what did not look like it might turn out to be. So the priest had to judge patiently. He had to weigh every sign present and allow time for new signs to appear. The priest was the one to read these signs — for us, the spiritual man, who can draw near to God and has the mind of God. The judgment could never be left to the man himself. No one asked his opinion, and no one could accept it. He was too closely involved to be impartial.

Another case comes next, which there was still less reason to confuse with leprosy. Weakness is nothing of the sort. A man's hair might fall off his head in general, or from the parts of his head toward his face. He might be bald, or bald at the forehead. In either case it was no more than weakness. And weakness is not sin — just as sin should never be called weakness, though people often do call it that.

It is a serious thing to have a bald head in spiritual things — weakness set in first, then the disease. Weakness in itself is no disease, but it leaves a person open to any epidemic. How very different the effect of a chill, for instance, on a strong man and a weak one! The strong man shakes it off easily, but it may kill the weak one.

But where there is weakness, as here in a bald head or forehead, there might be worse — a reddish-white sore. Then it is most serious. It is nothing other than leprosy breaking out there. The priest looks at him and sees that it really is so... There was no reason to delay. Waiting would be an empty formality. Human mercy, or generosity, in such a case would come from Satan. "Holiness befits your house, O LORD, forevermore."

Leprosy in the head speaks of the mind being wrongly affected by teaching that perverts the truth. If someone is simply mistaken, that can be put right. But a person may hold on to a seriously false teaching. If others work hard to correct him and he still refuses to change, he is no longer fit for the fellowship of believers.

How many people today have the plague of leprosy in their heads! They have not the least idea that they are "utterly unclean." They have their own ideas. They reason things out with their own minds. They trust their own heads instead of the Word of God. Pride, and especially pride of intellect, is the root of the trouble when the leprosy is in the head. We may see a terrible example of this in Uzziah, whose pride made him take the place that belonged to the priests alone.

However it may arise, the signs of leprosy are the same in substance, and the treatment of the leper is always the same. He was to live alone, outside the camp. Cut off from the people, and in his true place, he might still hope in God. Only from God could help and healing come in so great a trouble.

Everything here marks the holiness the LORD demanded in His people. It was not left to a man's own estimate of his state, nor to the careless opinion of a fellow Israelite. Whatever was offensive in His eyes and unfit for a place in His congregation had to be brought to the priest. He knew His sanctuary, and he was bound to judge by His word and by that standard, for there the LORD dwelt. The same principle applies still, and even more fully since Christ came and accomplished redemption. He too is the always available and watchful priest who cannot fail to see clearly and act for God's glory.

You say, "But I do not feel unclean." That has nothing to do with it… The leper might reply, "But I feel in excellent health. I never felt better in my life." The priest answers, "I am sorry, but it is my sad duty to pronounce you unclean." The man's feelings and opinions had nothing to do with the case. Everything rested on the word of the priest.

"The priest shall pronounce him utterly unclean; his sore is in his head." The case is hopeless. There was no reason to delay. Waiting would have been an empty form. Human mercy, or generosity, in such a case would be from Satan. "Holiness befits your house, O LORD, forevermore."

A man's hair might fall from his head, or from the parts toward his face. He might be bald, or bald at the forehead. In either case it was no more than weakness. Weakness is not sin, and sin should not be called weakness, as is too often done. The apostle gloried in his weaknesses, his trials and sufferings. No believer could make light of a single sin; still less could he glory in sins. Whoever does so shows himself a leper, and his claim to be a saint is a complete delusion.

How many people today have the plague of leprosy in their heads! They have not the least idea that they are "utterly unclean." They have their own ideas. They reason things out with their own mind. They trust their own heads instead of the Word of God. Pride, and above all pride of intellect, is the root of the trouble when the leprosy is in the head. We see a terrible example of this in Uzziah, whose pride made him take the place that belonged to the priests alone: "But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction… leprosy broke out on his forehead."

Leprosy in the head would speak of a mind wrongly affected by teaching that twists the truth. If someone is simply mistaken, that can be put right. But suppose a person holds firmly to a badly false doctrine. Others work with him to correct him, and he is still determined not to change. Then he is unfit for the fellowship of believers.

Reader, the Priest must pronounce you unclean, because you are unclean. You may have no suspicion that you are lost and ruined and unclean. But that is your real state — unless that same Priest has already cleansed you.

In these verses is set out the diseased condition of the convicted leper. It was, while he lived, death to all the privileges of the people of God; the standing type of a sinner, not only before Him, but under command to declare it to man.

The law excluded the leper not only from the tabernacle but from the camp, and even from his own family. He was driven out with torn clothes and bare head. His upper lip was covered — the sign of mourning and woe. From his own lips came the confession of his shame and the reason for his exclusion. He had to cry, Unclean, unclean.

So the leper's clothing was to declare his misery and his grief... Sorrow for others or at their evil it is not, but the deepest mourning for himself. The goodness of God leads the sinner to repentance.

For the converted soul it is the heart that is torn, not his clothes. He truly accepts the dishonour his sins have brought him, bitter as that is, instead of claiming honour for his "head". His "beard" is no longer a display of his strength as a man; in spirit it is covered with shame. He owns himself defiled beyond his own repair. He turns to solitary confession, instead of presuming to mingle with the faithful.

It is no use putting on the outward signs of grief... The gospel meets the sinner expressly as lost, powerless, ungodly, and His enemy; but all this is stark reality, and no mere figure of speech. If we feel nothing about our state, it is worse than mere form; it is hypocrisy.

The unsaved sinner is shut out from Jehovah's presence because of his defilement and has no place among the people of God... But notice it says, "all the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled." Here is the ray of hope. Only as long as it was in him was he excluded. Recovery from the evil thing that defiles and disturbs our fellowship is wonderfully revealed in the New Testament. It has to be brought into the light, confessed and put away (1 John 1). And above all, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous.

So long as sin is working, there can be no fellowship with God, or with His people. The energy of evil is the death-blow to communion... It does not matter what kind of evil it is, or how much. It may weigh no more than a feather. It may be only some foolish thought. As long as it keeps working, it must hinder communion.

He was to do this if anyone approached him. This compares with a New Testament case of one so seriously involved in sin that he must be put out of the assembly (1 Cor. 5:11-13).

The leper was first put outside the camp, and that is just where sin puts you and me... So he lifted up his hands and cried, "Unclean, unclean." This, in the language of the gospel, is called conviction. There he is left outside, and with whom? None in the whole creation but God. His friends and neighbours were put far off. So none can meet our necessity but Christ.

Here was the leper's condition — the leper's occupation — the leper's place. He had torn clothes, a bare head, and a covered lip. He cried, "Unclean, unclean." He lived outside, in dreary loneliness, in the bleak waste of the desert. What could be more humiliating, what more depressing than this? "He shall live alone." He was unfit for fellowship or companionship. He was excluded from the only spot in all the world where the Lord's presence was known or enjoyed.

God was dwelling among a people on earth. He had chosen them and redeemed them out of Egypt for Himself. So He wanted them to tell the difference between clean and unclean, and to be fit in practice for His own presence. Leprosy was the most serious state an Israelite could be in. He could never be fully restored until he was pronounced clean, had cleansed himself, and had offered certain offerings.

"He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp." How long? "As long as he has the disease." This is a great practical truth. The energy of evil is the death-blow to communion. There may be the outward appearance, the mere form, the hollow profession. But there can be no communion while the energy of evil is there. It does not matter what kind of evil it is, or how much. It may be only the weight of a feather. It may be only some foolish thought. As long as it keeps working, it must hinder communion.

The leper was first put outside the camp, and that is just where sin puts you and me... he was put outside the camp, and his business there was to learn what he was. Your first business as a sinner is to learn that exile from God is what fits you. So he lifted up his hands and cried, "Unclean, unclean." This, in the language of the gospel, is called conviction. There he is left outside, and with whom? None in the whole creation but God.

Not only was the leper separated as an individual, he was cut off from the congregation. Is this not a picture of sin cutting a soul off from communion with God? A believer's sin may be of such a kind that he has to be put away from the fellowship of the saints on earth. That was the case with the man in 1 Corinthians 5. There is a "within" and a "without" in relation to God's assembly. It is a place of holiness, where evil is to be judged and dealt with when it occurs. There was the same within and without in the camp of the Israelites.

When this was made sure, the children of Israel were to put every leper out of the camp (Num. 5:2-3). This was absolute and compulsory. No favour or affection was to be shown to anyone. The dearest friend or relative had to be put out, if he was affected.

No human help could reach him. And he himself could only pass defilement on to everyone and everything he touched... He could not make his way to God, but God could make His way to him. He was shut up to God. There was no help for him, either in himself or in his fellow man... He was to be a debtor to grace for everything.

When the poor leper said, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean," He put out His hand and touched him. He says: "I will not put you out of the camp; I will come to where all the defilement is." He touched him as man. His divine authority sent the leprosy away.