Leviticus 13:43-44 The priest is to examine him, and if the swollen sore on his head or forehead is reddish-white like a defiling skin disease, the man is diseased and is unclean. The priest shall pronounce him unclean because of the sore on his head.
Being a priest during the time of Leviticus was definitely not a glamorous job. It was bloody and physical and demanded a lot of killing of sacrifices, splashing of blood, and examining of disease. I wonder if all of that unpleasantness was balanced by the holy parts of the priest’s connection with God.
Leviticus 13:45 “Anyone with such a defiling disease must wear torn clothes, let their hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of their face and cry out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’
The other thing that strikes me today is the isolation and loneliness of those deemed unclean. God created us for community, to need interaction with and support from others. Those deemed unclean not only had to live in isolation, they had to clearly announce the fact through both their physical separation and their crying out. What did that do to their relationship with God?
Leviticus 13:46 As long as they have the disease they remain unclean. They must live alone; they must live outside the camp.
Precious Savior, Thank You for allowing me to go beyond the surface of scripture to wonder about the people underneath. I’m not sure that I will ever know the answers to my questions, but I appreciate the ability to think about what’s happening in the Bible in a new way. Help me to always seek to draw closer to You as I read Your word. Amen.
Leviticus 13:47-49 “As for any fabric that is spoiled with a defiling mold—any woolen or linen clothing, any woven or knitted material of linen or wool, any leather or anything made of leather— if the affected area in the fabric, the leather, the woven or knitted material, or any leather article, is greenish or reddish, it is a defiling mold and must be shown to the priest.
Have a blessed day.