CONTENTS The law concerning the uncleanness of the leprosy forms the subject of this Chapter. The method of discovery in ascertaining the existence of the decease, is very particularly pointed out. To which are added laws for the regulation of persons infected with the leprosy, and for due regard t... [ Continue Reading ]
Let the Reader keep in view through the whole of this account of the leprosy of the body, the striking affinity and agreement it bears to the sin of the soul. As first, it was deemed to be incurable by any human art or means. Nay, it was thought an impious presumption on the prerogative of GOD, to a... [ Continue Reading ]
How sweetly is the SPIRIT's work here pointed out in the priest's looking into the case of the diseased Israelite. JESUS'S SPIRIT is that blessed gift to a poor sinner, which first convinceth of sin. John 16:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
And how sweetly is the case of a fearful, doubting mind, described by this supposed uncertainly of the disease? Reader! how often when the HOLY GHOST hath been leading you to JESUS, your high priest, how often have you afterwards doubted whether the thing be real? John 5:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ought not this state of suspense to teach believers an useful lesson, to wait the LORD'S time upon all occasions of doubt? Habakkuk 2:2. And ought not ministers, in a very particular manner, to learn here from with what caution they should decide in all cases of a spiritual nature? 1 Corinthians 4:1... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe, the priest is not to say the leper is healed, but pronounce him clean. Reader! remark with me how evidently this refers to the cleansing from sin by the blood of JESUS. The ten lepers, which came to JESUS, were not said to be healed, but cleansed. And this was as they went, according to his... [ Continue Reading ]
It is worthy observation, that the priests under the law, being men of like passions with ourselves, might err: and therefore a precept is given, that they are to look again. How sweet is it to remark, that our great High Priest cannot be mistaken. Paul's observation on this point is excellent. The... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe, the leper is to be brought to the priest. So the sinner must be led of the SPIRIT. Romans 8:27.... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe, everything here indicates the spiritual disease of the soul. It is an old disease. It is folded up in the heart, and is not merely skin deep. A sinner is full of wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores. Isaiah 1:5. And none but the Priest of priests, even the LORD JESUS CHRIST, that great... [ Continue Reading ]
These verses convey the same doctrine, only they are diversified so as to answer the diversified appearances of sin. The spots which appear without may differ, but the disease, if leprous, is the same within. Sin breaks out in numberless ways, but the polluted fountain of our fallen nature is at the... [ Continue Reading ]
So infinitely important is the doctrine of being convinced of a leprous state, and of the impossibility of being cleansed by anything short of divine power; that the HOLY GHOST prosecutes in these verses the same subject. The leper is here shown the dreadful state of being shut out, while the diseas... [ Continue Reading ]
The apostle Jude, no doubt in allusion to this defiled state of the garment, speaks of the hatred that is to be shown to such as are spotted by the flesh. Jude 1:23. Nothing can more fully indicate the dreadful malignity which there is in sin. It soils all that it comes near, and defiles everything... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS How gracious was the HOLY GHOST, thus, in shadow and in figure, to teach the church the leprous state she stood in before GOD, by reason of sin. And how very precious is JESUS our Great High brought forward to our view, thus appointed by GOD our FATHER, to whom the convinced sinner might... [ Continue Reading ]