Leprosy is a symbol of death dwelling in the flesh. This was our condition before the blood of Jesus was applied to our lives."And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses." *** Colossians 2:13
We were dead in our sins before the blood was applied.
The leper was to appear before the priest. The priest was to take two live, clean birds and cedar wood, scarlet and hyssop. *** Leviticus 14:4
"And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water." *** Leviticus 14:5
The first bird was to be killed in an earthen vessel. This is a picture of our Lord Jesus Christ who was killed in His earthen vessel; the body of His flesh. Running water is a picture of the Spiritual move of God through His Word.
"As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water:
And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field." *** Leviticus 14:6-7
The living bird represents us who were dead in our trespass and sin (the lepers). We were set free in the world (the open field); and covered with the blood that was shed in the earthen vessel which was Jesus, the Christ, who has set us free from the law of sin and death. *** Romans 8:2
We were to be set free, cleansed from all our sins. This was not the end, but only the beginning. The old man was cleansed and set free. Why?
"That ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." *** Ephesians 4:24
The leper was to be without the camp for seven days. At which time he was to return to the camp and shave his complete body, including his eyebrows. He was to wash his clothes and his entire body. This is a picture of our standing naked before the Lord, completely cleansed from all sin, unrighteousness and filthiness of the flesh. This is the only condition by which we are acceptable to God.
"No flesh should glory in His presence." *** I Corinthians 1:29
On the eighth day (eight is the number of new beginnings) the priest was to present the man clean before the Lord.
"And the priest that maketh him clean shall present the man that is to be made clean, and those things, before the Lord, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation." *** Leviticus 14:11
Our high priest is Christ Jesus, *** Hebrews 9:11. When we have been cleansed, He will present us to the congregation (His Body), His true church.
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