Speaker: Bonnie Sala | Series: Reset | If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

 

The book of Leviticus is packed with strange rules, but they are meant to accentuate the “holiness—the…utter ‘otherness’—of God. We learn how sin devastates humanity’s relationship with [the] Creator, [1]” writes Chuck Swindoll.

Avoiding and treating disease features prominently in Leviticus. Leprosy was a disease seen as a “living death” because it ate away at human bodies, causing severe disfigurement and disability. Today there’s a cure for leprosy, but Leviticus remains relevant. Leprosy is a great analogy for the lethal impact of sin in our lives.

David Guzik explains that many ancient rabbis considered a leper already dead. Leprosy is like many sins in that it is painless in its first stages, growing slowly. “Just this once,” we think. But leprosy numbs the senses to the afflicted area, just like normalized habitual sins. Eventually, leprosy causes decay and deformity. [2] We experience decay and deformity within when we repeatedly ignore God, putting ourselves before anyone else.

The Bible teaches us how destructive sin is, but also that God does not shun us in our spiritual leprosy. He heals us through the sacrifice of His own Son, right now and for eternity. This healing is free when we repent. Repent by surrendering to God, walking toward Him instead of away.

Resource Reading: Leviticus 13:1-17

Swindoll, Chuck. “Leviticus.” Book of Leviticus Overview – Insight for Living Ministries. Accessed May 19, 2020. https://www.insight.org/resources/bible/the-pentateuch/leviticus.

 

[2] Guzik, David. “Leviticus Chapter 13.” Enduring Word, February 21, 2020. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/leviticus-13/.