Leviticus:13

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* Verse 1-17 - The plague of leprosy was an uncleanness , rather than a disease . Christ is said to cleanse lepers , not to cure them . Common as the leprosy was among the Hebrews , during and after their residence in Egypt , we have no reason to believe that it was known among them before . Their distressed state and employment in that land must have rendered them liable to disease . But it was a plague often inflicted immediately by the hand of God . Miriam 's leprosy , and Gehazi 's , and king Uzziah 's , were punishments of particular sins ; no marvel there was care taken to distinguish it from a common distemper . The judgment of it was referred to the priests . And it was a figure of the moral pollutions of men 's minds by sin , which is the leprosy of the soul , defiling to the conscience , and from which Christ alone can cleanse . The priest could only convict the leper , (by the law is the knowledge of sin ,) but Christ can cure the sinner , he can take away sin . It is a work of great importance , but of great difficulty , to judge of our spiritual state . We all have cause to suspect ourselves , being conscious of sores and spots ; but whether clean or unclean is the question . As there were certain marks by which to know it was leprosy , so there are marks of such as are in the gall of bitterness . The priest must take time in making his judgment . This teaches all , both ministers and people , not to be hasty in censures , nor to judge anything before the time . If some men 's sins go before unto judgment , the sins of others follow after , and so do men 's good works . If the person suspected were found to be clean , yet he must wash his clothes , because there had been ground for the suspicion . We have need to be washed in the blood of Christ from our spots , though not leprosy spots ; for who can say , I am pure from sin ? * Verse 18-44 - The priest is told what judgment to make , if there were any appearance of a leprosy in old sores ; and such is the danger of those who having escaped the pollutions of the world are again entangled therein . Or , in a burn by accident , ver .24 . The burning of strife and contention often occasions the rising and breaking out of that corruption , which proves that men are unclean . Human life lies exposed to many grievances . With what troops of diseases are we beset on every side ; and thy all entered by sin ! If the constitution be healthy , and the body lively and easy , we are bound to glorify God with our bodies . Particular note was taken of the leprosy , if in the head . If the leprosy of sin has seized the head ; if the judgment be corrupted , and wicked principles , which support wicked practices , are embraced , it is utter uncleanness , from which few are cleansed . Soundness in the faith keeps leprosy from the head . mhcc @Leviticus:13:45 ,46 @ Verse 45 ,46 - When the priest had pronounced the leper unclean , it put a stop to his business in the world , cut him off from his friends and relations , and ruined all the comfort he could have in the world . He must humble himself under the mighty hand of God , not insisting upon his cleanness , when the priest had pronounced him unclean , but accepting the punishment . Thus must we take to ourselves the shame that belongs to us , and with broken hearts call ourselves "Unclean , unclean ;" heart unclean , life unclean ; unclean by original corruption , unclean by actual transgression ; unclean , therefore deserving to be for ever shut out from communion with God , and all hope of happiness in him ; unclean , therefore undone , if infinite mercy do not interpose . The leper must warn others to take heed of coming near him . He must then be shut out of the camp , and afterward , when they came to Canaan , be shut out of the city , town , or village where he lived , and dwell with none but those that were lepers like himself . This typified the purity which ought to be in the gospel church . * Verse 47-59 - The garment suspected to be tainted with leprosy was not to be burned immediately . If , upon search , it was found that there was a leprous spot , it must be burned , or at least that part of it . If it proved to be free , it must be washed , and then might be used . This also sets forth the great evil there is in sin . It not only defiles the sinner 's conscience , but it brings a stain upon all he has and all that he does . And those who make their clothes servants to their pride and lust , may see them thereby tainted with leprosy . But the robes of righteousness never fret , nor are moth-eaten . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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