Leviticus 13
Regulations About Leprosy, the Fruit of Self-Centeredness
(Leviticus 13:1-8)
Verse 2: “When anyone has a swelling or a rash or a shiny spot on their skin that may be a defiling skin disease,
they must be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons who is a priest.”
Leviticus 13 explains how to distinguish those with leprosy and what to do if someone is diagnosed.
Leviticus 14 continues with what is required for those healed from leprosy. In Moses’ day, leprosy was a terrifying
and incurable disease; even until recently, it was considered untreatable. Leprosy is ratting flesh and bone,
causing body parts to fall off without pain—ultimately a death sentence.
While Leviticus minimally addresses other diseases, it goes into great detail about leprosy because its traits
and effects are similar to sin of man.
1. Regulations about Leprosy Reveal the Seriousness of Original Sin
1) God commanded that leprosy should be diagnosed not by physicians but by priests.
2) Everything that happens is related to God’s work of salvation.
3) Early symptoms of leprosy were not easy to distinguish.
4) Living as the master of myself is the result of original sin.
2. Go to the Priest to Be Examined
1) Often, those with leprosy were unaware that they had the disease.
2) Even if you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and your self-centered illness is cured, it can still relapse.
3) Leprosy causes flesh and bone to rot, and as time passes, the body becomes deformed.
4) The original sin of humanity destroys the pinnacle of creation’s order.
3. The Leper Was Made to Live Alone Outside the Camp
1) The passage shows how the sin of being my own master affects others.
2) It illustrates how Adam and Eve, after sinning, were driven out of the Garden of Eden.
3) Leprosy symbolizes such sin.
4) A self-centered life is a struggle for survival.
Conclusion: The Only Way to Be Healed from This Leprosy
1) There is no way but to repent and accept Jesus Christ as his or her Lord and Savior.
2) The way to be cleansed from leprosy is shown in Leviticus 13:45.
3) Tearing one's clothes is a sign of grief over one's sin.
4) All lepers who humbled themselves before Jesus were cleansed.
When Jesus finished His Sermon on the Mount and descended, a man with leprosy approached Him.
This man lived the cursed life described in Leviticus 13. Risking death, he fell before Jesus and pleaded,
“Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” At that, Jesus reached out His hand and touched him, saying,
“I am willing. Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. Jesus then said, according to Matthew 8:4:
“See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded,
as a testimony to them.” Hold firmly to the church-centered "3 todays", follow only the Lord,
and I bless you in Jesus’ name to become His witness.
