Topical Bible: Leprosy: Those Afflicted With: Cut off from God's House

◄ Leprosy: Those Afflicted With: Cut off from God's House ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Leprosy, as described in the Bible, is a chronic infectious disease that was considered not only a physical ailment but also a condition with profound spiritual and social implications. In the biblical context, leprosy rendered individuals ceremonially unclean, necessitating their separation from the community and the house of God.

Biblical Context and Law

The Mosaic Law provided detailed instructions regarding the diagnosis and treatment of leprosy. Leviticus 13 and 14 outline the procedures for examining and isolating those suspected of having the disease. The priests were responsible for diagnosing leprosy, and those confirmed to be leprous were declared unclean. Leviticus 13:45-46 states, "The leprous person who has the infection must wear torn clothes, let his hair hang loose, cover his mouth, and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean!’ As long as he has the infection, he remains unclean. He must live alone in a place outside the camp."

This separation was not merely for health reasons but also had spiritual significance. Being cut off from the camp meant exclusion from the religious life of Israel, including participation in worship and sacrifices at the Tabernacle or Temple. This exclusion symbolized a separation from the holiness of God, as the camp was considered a holy place where God's presence dwelled among His people.

Spiritual Implications

Leprosy in the Bible often symbolizes sin and its effects. Just as leprosy defiles the body, sin defiles the soul, separating individuals from the holiness of God. The isolation of lepers serves as a vivid illustration of the separation sin causes between humanity and God. Isaiah 59:2 states, "But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear."

Restoration and Cleansing

Despite the severe implications of leprosy, the Bible also provides a path for restoration. Leviticus 14 details the ritual for the cleansing of a leper, which includes offerings and sacrifices, symbolizing atonement and reconciliation with God. This process underscores the hope of restoration and the possibility of being reintegrated into the community and the worship of God.

The New Testament further illustrates the power of Jesus Christ to cleanse and restore. In Matthew 8:2-3 , a leper approaches Jesus, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." Jesus responds, "I am willing," and immediately the man is cleansed. This act not only demonstrates Christ's authority over physical ailments but also His power to restore individuals to spiritual wholeness and communion with God.

Conclusion

The biblical treatment of leprosy serves as a profound metaphor for understanding sin, separation, and the hope of redemption. Those afflicted with leprosy were cut off from God's house, yet through divine intervention and adherence to God's laws, restoration was possible. This narrative foreshadows the ultimate cleansing and reconciliation offered through Jesus Christ, who heals both body and soul, restoring believers to fellowship with God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 26:21
And Uzziah the king was a leper to the day of his death, and dwelled in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the LORD: and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

"Thou Canst Make Me Clean"
... doomed to associate with those only who were similarly afflicted. ... came unto Him,
He yearned to bless those who came ... But in the case of leprosy, no sooner was ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 27 thou canst make.htm

Matt. xxvi. 6, 7
... For inasmuch as the leprosy seemed a most unclean disease ... For neither was she at
all afflicted in body, so ... the things present by his desire for those whereof he ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxx matt xxvi 6.htm

"Is not this the Carpenter's Son?"
... of captives, a healer of the afflicted, restoring sight ... was not only cleansed from
his leprosy, but blessed ... a more favorable condition than are those who have ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 24 is not this.htm

The Preface to the Commandments
... in the house of bondage, in an afflicted state, think ... a greater blessing than to
be healed of his leprosy. ... upon the wings of prayer; or, that those who were ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 3 the preface to the.htm

Philippians ii. 16-Dec
... his seat without the city, a more pitiable object than those afflicted with leprosy;
for these ... If He leaves those, who never alter, much more those that do ...
/.../homily viii philippians ii 16-dec.htm

Letter xxxix. To Paula.
... by his own sighs, and from whose afflicted heart tears ... are possessed with devils,
covered with leprosy, and eaten ... Mourning is for those who wear silk dresses. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxxix to paula.htm

The Life of Mr. John Welch.
... morning, many were waiting on with their afflicted families, to ... authority of no man
on earth: Those men, he ... a tendency to a sort of leprosy, physicians said he ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr john 5.htm

The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
... taint of sin, and its awfully developed leprosy, is given. ... justice is whetting his
sword to cut off; and, therefore ... a feeling of the condition of those in misery ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the jerusalem sinner saved.htm

Homilies on the Statues.
... its lenten observances, [785]359, n.; mother of the afflicted, [786]364 ... Guilt shared
by those who give power to the sinner, [1253]331 ... Leprosy of Miriam, [1486]475 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/homilies on the statues.htm

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... it spreads over the soul, as the leprosy does over ... 3. [They want LOVE.] Love is another
of those great and ... the name of God, they are not afflicted because men ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm