Ep. 43. Leviticus 8, 14 | The Priest and the Leper

EPISODE 43

THE PRIEST AND THE LEPER: LEVITICUS 8, 14

One of my favorite things in Leviticus is how the Leper is purified almost the same way the priests are consecrated. I adore the imagery in these two chapters. The Leper is outside the camp, outside his tent even, while the priest is confined to the tent of meeting. The priest was anointed with the blood of the offering and with the oil on his right ear, thumb, and big toe. The leper was purified by applying blood to his right earlobe, thumb, and big toe. These two chapters are the only places this imagery occurs in the Bible.

So, what do we take away from this picture? The procedure for anointing a priest is nearly identical to the procedure of cleansing a leper. We find it easy enough to be convinced that our sins have been dealt with on the cross, but we struggle with the idea that we have also been consecrated as holy, that God sees us as saints, priests even!

I'll make it easy for you today. Take a moment to thank God for dealing with your sin by his blood. Then, please take a moment to celebrate the holiness he has attributed to you through his son. You are not a "sinner saved by grace" but a saint made so by the work of Jesus. We are, by faith, lepers made clean, and priests consecrated to the service of the King.

ADDITIONAL READING: NONE