The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 240

from Heaven upon sin (see Numb. xii. 10; 2 Kings v, 27; 2 Cbron. xxvi. 19), from which circumstance, perhaps, it had its name (npi:t), tsaraath, from (p,1), tsaro, to smite. As there is no disease whose description engages so much space in Scripture, leprosy must be regarded as e. very special type of sin. L IT IS A PLAGUE MOST LOATHSOME. 1. So it is descrioed, (1) According to Scrip- ture it appeared in a "rising," or "scab," or "bright spot" (ver. 2). From one or more of these centres it "spread" (vers. 8, 12, 22, 36), exhibiting "quick raw flesh" (vers. 10, 15), and this as it dried turned to a white scurf (ver. 13). Job is, by some, supposed to have been afflicted with leprosy (see Job vii. 5). (2) Travellers give frightful accounts of it. Maundrell describes it as he witnessed it in Palestine, and states it to be "the utmost corru~tion of the human body at this side the grave." 2. Is not this a trm picture of sin, (1) View it in the haunts of the "criminal classes." What spectacles are witnessed in police courts I what distortion of features, what muti- lations, the humanity almost battered out of them through the violences of dissipation I (2) No less loathsome to the eye of God are the hearts of many who outwardly seem respectable (Jer, xvii. 9). Sin is called" corruption," and seducers to sin" corrupters" (Eph. iv. 22; 2 Pet. ii. 19), Learn to loathe sin. II. IT IS A DISEASE DEEPLY SEATED, 1. Surfaa evi1s may be mistaken for sin. (1) When symptoms go no deeper than the skin, they are no proof of leprosy (vers. 4, 34). Errors of judgment sometimes are mistaken for sins, Sincere Christians should be careful not to condemn themselves when God does not condemn them. (2) Surface evils may be very painful. There were "burning boils," which did not compromise the cleanness of the sufferer (vers. 23, 28). So may we smart under reproaches and scandals raised by the malignity of enemies, and perhaps sometimes through our own unwisdom, which God will not impute to us for sin. 2. When the evil is in the flesh there is uncleanness. (1) This was a capital test of leprosy (vers. 3, 20, 30). This disease may be handed down from father to son (see 2 Kings v. 27). So sin is" that which cometh out of the heart" (Matt. xv. 18-20; 1 Cor. viii. 7; Titus i. 15; Heb. xii. 15, 16). Like its type, sin also is hereditary (Rom. v. 12). (2) :Mental rebellion against God is of the worst kind. Hence the e01phasis with which the uncleanness of the leper is pronounced whose leprosy is in his head (see vers. 43, 44). Satan is intellect without Goel. Keep a pure faith and it will keep you. Ill. IT IS A MALADY FEARFULLY CONTAGIOUS. 1. Such was the figure. (1) Leprosy works secretly at first, and for years may bA conc~aled, Its early appearance mo.y be limited to a pimple; but so rapidly does it spread that "seven days" may be sufficient for it to become pronounced (vers. 22, 27, 36). (2) It may pass from the leper to bis neighbour. Robinson says, "'!'hat it was contagious, o.ll histories, Racred and profane, agree" (' Theological Dictionary'), It was therefore necessary to provide that lepers should dwell apart (ver. 46; Numb. xii. 15; 2 Chron. xxvii. 21). (3) Property as well as persons caught the plague. Garments had to be destroyed for it (ver. 52). Houses also (eh. xiv. 45). 2. The reality answers to the figure. (1) Sin in tho individual gathers strength by habit, o.nd infects tho faculties until the heart is sick, the head faint, and tho whole man is a mass of moral putrescence (Isa. i. 6). (2) By precept and example he demoralizes his neighbours, and bring~ down the judgruents of Heaven upon them (Josh. vii, 1, 11, 12; Eccles, ix. 18). (3) The plague of sin affects the material prosperity of individuals and of nations. No wonder the leper should bo accounted ceremonially unclean, and the sinner avoided by the holy universe.-J, A. M. Vera. 1-59.-The priest's adjudication, We have considered the plague of leprosy as an emblem of sin; the adjudication upon it will suggest thoughts concerning the treatment of sin. In this business the principal actor was the priest, who must be viewed as the typo of Christ. 'l'he judgment in this case will be discipliuary rather than final; for when Messiah will como to judge the world at the last day, ho will appear not as a priest but as a king, '\Ve are now concerned with the functions of the priest. I. HE HAD TO EXAMINE THE SUSPECTED PERSON. 1. In this he proceeded according to the Law, (1) He had his rules for determining tho presence of the plague. (2) So by the Word of God is our moral cleanness or uncleanness to be determined (Hom. ii. 13; iii, 20; 1 Cor. xiv. 24, 25; Jas. i. 22-25; ii. 9). (3) Conviction is carried 204 THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS, [cu. xm.1-46.