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These three causes of defilement seem to be chosen to enforce the fact "that in my
flesh dwelleth no good thing". Leprosy is contagious; it is a defilement contracted
through the everyday intercourse of man with man. It teaches us that, however innocent
we may be, or however legitimate our callings and dealings, the very fact that we are
"in the world" calls for the cleansing which the precious blood of Christ alone can give.
The defilement by the various issues that are specified in the law occur in the ordinary
course of nature, revealing to us that there is a deeper need of cleansing than that of our
personal and voluntary transgressions. That, since the sin of Adam, we are indeed
rendered unfit by the very depravity of our natures. Here we have "the flesh", as such,
and its natural uncleanness. The defilement by the dead was not contracted involuntarily,
but in the very exercise of humane and kindly ministry. Here we have service in a world
of death, and the Christian worker would do well to remember that while His Lord could
be a friend of publicans and sinners, yet remain holy, harmless, undefiled and separate
from sinners, it is not at all easy for the best of us to follow in His steps uncontaminated.
Here, therefore, are three causes of defilement, three occasions that brought about
separation from the conscious enjoyment of the presence of God:--
LEPROSY.--Contagion in a world of sin, in the daily round of business and life.
ISSUES.--Natural weakness. The flesh. This body of death.
DEFILEMENT BY THE DEAD.--Ministry itself exposes us all to defilement.
"Speak unto the children of Israel, when a man or woman shall commit any sin that
men commit, to do a trespass against the Lord, and that person be guilty; then they shall
confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the
principal thereof, and add unto it the fifth part thereof, and give it unto him against whom
he hath trespassed. But if the man have no kinsman to recompense the trespass unto, let
the trespass be recompensed unto the Lord, even to the priest; beside the ram of the
atonement, whereby an atonement shall be made for him" (Numb. 5: 6-8).
Prominence is given in this case to the individual recognition of personal
responsibility, notwithstanding the fact that the ram for atonement is there in the
background. Let us note the following features:--
(1) The trespass is against the Lord.
(2) Yet the principal, and added fifth, is to be rendered unto a fellow-creature. (Verse 8
does not conflict with this as it makes provision for one who had no kinsman).
It is essential that true views of sin and trespass shall be entertained by all the people
of God. Sin against my brother is really sin against God. David sinned grievously
against Uriah the Hittite, but it was perfectly true in his confession to say that he had
sinned against God (Psa. 51: 4). The prodigal son sinned against the father, and outraged
common decency, yet he confessed that he had sinned against heaven. Two things are
necessary if we are to preserve a clear conscience at all times: confession and
reparation:--
They shall CONFESS their sin.
He shall RECOMPENCE the principal and add a fifth part.