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It is vital to the understanding of this lesson that these three divisions shall be kept
distinct. Each has its own ceremonial, and what is done at the door of the tabernacle
would be impossible either outside the camp, or during the seven days tarrying abroad in
the camp. We can now fill in the detail of each section:--
A1 | 14: 2-7. Out of the camp.
a | The two birds.
b | Cedar, scarlet, hyssop.
a | The two birds.
B1 | 14: 7. "HE SHALL PRONOUNCE HIM CLEAN."
A2 | 14: 8, 9. Into the camp.
c | Wash clothes, shave and wash flesh.
d | Seven days tarrying.
d | Seventh day.
c | Shave, wash clothes and wash flesh.
B2 | 14: 9. "AND HE SHALL BE CLEAN."
A3 | 14: 10-20. At the door.
e | Trespass offering.
f | Wave offering.
g | The blood applied.
g | The oil applied.
e | Sin offering.
f | Burnt offering and meat offering.
B3 | 14: 20. "AND HE SHALL BE CLEAN."
As we observe what is said regarding the cleansing of the leper, we shall find food for
thought. In the first section he is "pronounced clean". In the second, he begins to take
active part "that he may be clean" (verse 8). "And he shall be clean." In the third, there
seems at first to be a set-back. He is spoken of as "the man that is to be made clean"
(verses 11, 18 and 19), and not until atonement has been made do we read, "and he shall
be clean" (verse 20). It is evident that deep teaching is here. May we look ever to the
Lord that we may be guided into the truth.
The two birds.
First let us consider the initial act of cleansing. The margin tells us that the birds may
be sparrows, and there is a possibility that the English word is derived from the Hebrew,
which is tsippor. With these two birds are taken cedar wood, scarlet and hyssop.
Perhaps we may never penetrate the typical intention, yet these things are written for our
learning. A variety of suggestions have been made from time to time, which it would
serve no useful purpose to repeat here. But two N.T. passages come before the mind that
seem to point the way to the truth intended. The spiritual equivalent of leprosy is found
in the words:--
"Hating even the garment spotted by the flesh" (Jude 23).
"Keep himself unspotted from the world" (James 1: 27).