Highlights In Today's Reading:
After reading these chapters, you will discover how awful sin is in the eyes of God. "Separation from sin" are the key words in today's Scripture. God expects His people to be "clean" clear through — not just in outward appearance.
All lepers were consigned to isolation beyond the reach of human aid because of their disease. They would surely defile everything and everyone they touched. And the leper in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean. All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be (13:45-46).
The word "leprosy" struck terror in the heart of an Israelite for two reasons. First, the person who had leprosy became an outcast from society. He was forced to leave his home — his family, friends, and the place of worship — and exist outside the camp. When anyone went near him, the leper had to cry out the warning: Unclean, unclean. But perhaps the most horrifying reason leprosy was so feared was that there was no known cure for it.
Leprosy begins as just a small pink spot — but how dreadful, loathsome, and fatal it becomes. Leprosy illustrates how sin may first appear as insignificant. Like leprosy, sin immediately separates us from God and makes us unclean. People controlled by sin exist in a state of living death. Only Christ can cleanse a sinner. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us . . . through Jesus Christ our Saviour (Titus 3:5-6).When we turn to Christ, truly repent, and forsake our sins, the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. . . . If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:7,9).
This illustrates how only Christ could touch a leper and the leper be instantly healed. The leper typifies how Christ reaches out to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10).
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). The Holy Spirit will enable Christians to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2).
Thought for Today:
Reading and meditating on God's Word gives us inner strength to overcome sin.
Christ Portrayed:
By the priest who made atonement for a cleansed leper (Leviticus 14:20). Our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement (reconciliation) (Rom. 5:11).
Word Studies:
14:8 tarry abroad =delay outside, stay outside his tent; 14:23 unto =in front; 14:32 whose hand is not able =who cannot afford; 14:38 shut up =quarantine; 14:41 within round about =all around inside; 15:19 put apart =keep separate, in a state of impurity.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for The English International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hankley; The English International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa sponsored by Miss Ruth J. Hess • Staff: Joe Brashier • Government Official: Rep. Vern Ehlers (MI) • Country: Burundi (6 million) in east-central Africa • Major languages: Kirundi and French • Losing religious freedom • 51% Roman Catholic; 12% animist; 11% Protestant; 1% Muslim • Prayer Suggestion: Pray persistently (Isaiah 62:6).
Optional Reading: Mark 9
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 118:24