Unclean! – part 2

• The One-Question Review:
  • (Enjoy this…it may not happen again for a long time!)

  • Question: What made a thing “clean” or “unclean” for the Hebrews?

2Disease and Uncleanness

• These chapters deal with “skin disease” in people (13:2-46; 14:1-32), clothes (13:47-58), and houses (14:33-53).
• A man or woman was pronounced unclean based on their outward appearance. Leviticus 13:1-3
  • Note that mildew and psoriasis are put in the same category of uncleanness.
  • Hebrew: tsara’at ( disease).
• The second test was to see if there was any peeling of the skin that exposed “living skin.” Leviticus 13:9-17
  • Question: Why do some translations cover a majority of these diseases with the word “leprosy?”
  • The Septuagint translated with one word – lepra.
  • Traditional English translations simply took this lepra and turned it to “leprosy.”
  • If it WAS leprosy discussed here; would there be a need for formal diagnosis? (Everyone knew what leprosy was!)
  • Finally; tsara’at is compared to snow in several passages (Ex.4:6; Num.12:10). But some translators seem to go the extra mile to make the analogy with snow by adding the word; “white” (“white as snow”). Suggestion: perhaps the thing this disease had in common with snow is “flakiness” and not “whiteness?”
  • The case of uncleanness from disease covered a large pool of cases.
• 21 different cases of skin disease are distinguished first. Leviticus 13:2-46
• 3 different cases of diseased garments are distinguished secondly. Leviticus 13:47-58
  • The prescribed method of discernment for disease was very intricate.
  • Nothing more than a health inspection.
  • First; a of symptoms.
  • Second; a priestly .
  • Third; a statement of specific to guide the priest.
  • Fourth; the priest gives a and prescribes treatment.
  • Surrounding cultures would initiate magical rites and potions to heal these kinds of sicknesses. The Hebrews relied on prayer.
• If the person claimed to be healed; there would be another inspection by the priest. Leviticus 14:1-9
  • Readmission to the camp involved the 4 main types of sacrifice. (Can you name them?)
  • The birds may signify that the disease has departed.

3The Price of Uncleanness

• Remember: Uncleanness is not the same as ‘ .’ (Symbolic only)
• Once diagnosed; the person was pronounced to be unclean. Leviticus 13:45-46
• The sick person’s responsibilities:
  • Tear his .
  • Shave his .
  • Put a on his upper lip.
  • Cry out: “Unclean, Unclean!” whenever anyone approached him.
• The sick person’s future:
  • Remain outside the camp alone until healed or dead.
  • Future = “total isolation” / or / “isolation with the diseased”
  • Outside the camp was furthest away from the presence of God.
• Outside the camp was where executions took place. Numbers 15:35-36
  • Uncleanness of the soul that is not attended to by the blood of Christ will also lead to a future of isolation among the dead.
  • NOT all physical uncleanness caused by sin will ever be eradicated from this sin-filled earth.
  • BUT…All spiritual uncleanness CAN be purified by the blood of Christ.
  • AND…Someday all uncleanness and the results of sin will be eradicated once and for all!

4Indiscriminately Consequential

• Sin brought sickness & death to the world. (Romans 5:12; 6:23; 1 Cor.11:27-32)
• This means that we all struggle with sickness and disease because we all struggle with sin.
• This DOES NOT mean that we get rid of sickness and disease in this world any more than it means that we get rid of sin or death! Matthew 5:19-20
  • Where the sickness of sin exists; physical & spiritual removal from the presence of God must occur. (Question: Think of examples of this?)
• On our own; we stand excommunicated from God’s presence. Romans 3:23
  • The priest points out the sickness to the person infected.
  • God’s leaders are called to point out the sin that is diseasing the camp.

5Note: Jeremiah 6:14

• God says that the false prophets were like physicians who lied to their patients and refused to give them bad news.
• FACT: People are not innately good and this world is not getting morally better and better over time.
• Sin began with an and a sampled in disobedience.
• Sin spread quickly to murder within generation.
• Sin filled the whole earth in of Genesis.
• God provides the way to righteousness.
• God provided the method for cleansing for those damaged by disease.
• Question: What kinds of people described in these chapters were constantly being healed by Jesus? (Mat.8:2-4; Mark 14:3; etc.)
• This path always and with God. Rom.3:10-12
  • God has always provided a way for sin-filled humanity to have a relationship with Him.
  • Jesus Christ is the path whereby we find relationship with God today! (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Romans 5:6-8; Ephesians 2:3-4)
  • There is no community so outside the of God’s presence today that God cannot heal the sin.
  • Jesus bridged the gap between God and humans. has been banished through Christ!