What is the meaning of Leviticus 14:28? The priest shall also put some of the oil in his palm • The cleansing rite is handled entirely by the priest; the leper does nothing but present himself (Leviticus 14:2–3). That underlines grace—God provides both the mediator and the means. • Oil, often linked with the Holy Spirit’s ministry of empowerment and joy (1 Samuel 16:13; Psalm 45:7; Isaiah 61:1–3), follows the earlier application of blood (Leviticus 14:14). First comes atonement, then anointing. • The priest’s open hand, filled with oil, mirrors God’s open hand toward the sinner (Psalm 104:28). Salvation is not stingy; it is generously applied. On the right earlobe of the one to be cleansed • The ear speaks to hearing and obedience. In the priests’ own ordination, blood touched this spot to set their hearing apart for God (Exodus 29:20). Here the cleansed person receives oil in the same place, picturing Spirit-enabled listening. • “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). Cleansed ears are now capable of receiving truth. • Isaiah testified, “The Lord GOD has opened My ears” (Isaiah 50:5). The oil says: your hearing is restored; live responsive to God’s voice. On the thumb of his right hand • Hands represent work and service (Ecclesiastes 9:10; Colossians 3:17). By anointing the thumb, God claims every act the cleansed person will perform. • Earlier blood had touched the same thumb (Leviticus 14:14); forgiven deeds are now empowered deeds. • Titus 2:14 declares that Christ “purified for Himself a people…zealous for good works”. The oil turns former outcasts into willing servants. And on the big toe of his right foot • Feet picture one’s walk—direction, lifestyle, witness (Deuteronomy 5:33; Ephesians 4:1). The anointed toe signals a Spirit-guided path. • Psalm 119:105 affirms, “Your word is a lamp to my feet”. The cleansed man is equipped to walk in that light. • Colossians 2:6 urges, “As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to walk in Him”. The oil ensures he can. On the same places as the blood of the guilt offering • Sequence matters: blood first, oil second (Leviticus 14:14–17). Remission precedes renewal; justification precedes sanctification. • Hebrews 9:22 reminds, “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness”. Yet God never leaves the forgiven powerless—He follows with the Spirit’s anointing (Acts 2:38). • The guilt (trespass) offering dealt with specific sin; the oil now consecrates the whole person. Thus the ceremony foreshadows Christ, whose blood cleanses (1 John 1:7) and whose Spirit indwells (Ephesians 1:13–14). summary Leviticus 14:28 shows a beautiful double-movement: blood removes defilement, and oil grants Spirit-filled wholeness. Ear, hand, and foot—hearing, doing, and walking—are all brought under God’s gracious rule. The once-unclean is not merely declared “not sick” but is fully reinstated to worship and service, a living picture of every believer’s cleansing and consecration in Christ. |
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