Leviticus 14 Devotional

Brought Back Into the Camp

“The priest is to go outside the camp to examine him, and if the skin disease of the afflicted person has healed,”Leviticus 14:3 (BSB)

Chapter 13 left a person living alone outside the camp. Chapter 14 begins with the priest going out to him (14:3). If the disease has healed, one bird is killed over fresh water, a living bird is dipped in its blood, the person is sprinkled, and the living bird is released into the open field (14:4-7). After washing, he may enter the camp (14:8).

On the eighth day the priest puts blood from the guilt offering, and then oil, on the person's right earlobe, right thumb, and right big toe (14:14, 17), the same places marked when Aaron and his sons were ordained (8:23-24). For the poor, the offerings are reduced (14:21-22). The law that had put him out now carefully brings him home. When a man with leprosy came to Jesus, Jesus touched him, made him clean, and sent him to the priest with the offering Moses commanded (Mark 1:40-44). God provides the way back, and in Christ he comes out to meet people.

To think about: Who in your life is on the outside of community right now, and how could you help them find a way back?