Leviticus 14:7 Seven times he shall sprinkle the one to be cleansed of the defiling disease, and then pronounce them clean. After that, he is to release the live bird in the open fields.
Commentary says of this section: “That the recovered leper could not live his first week in his own tent was uncomfortable, but the public nature of it proved to the whole community that he really was healed and should be accepted and restored to the community.”
Leviticus 14:8 “The person to be cleansed must wash their clothes, shave off all their hair and bathe with water; then they will be ceremonially clean. After this they may come into the camp, but they must stay outside their tent for seven days.
And while I get that leprosy was a public health concern, I immediately recoil at the “pleasing the crowd” feel of this scripture. Aren’t our sins between us and God? Aren’t we supposed to live (and work) as though for God and not man (Col 3:23)?
Leviticus 14:9 On the seventh day they must shave off all their hair; they must shave their head, their beard, their eyebrows and the rest of their hair. They must wash their clothes and bathe themselves with water, and they will be clean.
Precious Savior, My immediate reaction when I read scripture that causes me to knee-jerk in distaste, is to not examine it too closely for fear of what it might uncover. I know how ridiculous that thought is. Help me to explore and question, to persevere, so that I can know You more. Help me, Jesus. Amen.
Leviticus 14:10 “On the eighth day they must bring two male lambs and one ewe lamb a year old, each without defect, along with three-tenths of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with olive oil for a grain offering, and one log of oil.
Have a blessed day.