Justin Houtz

Leviticus 14, Acts 15

DateVersionReading Plan
April 14, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Leviticus 14

Observation

The LORD through Moses gave the law for the leprous person for the day of his cleansing. The person was to be brought before the priest and if the case of leprous disease was healed, two live birds were to be taken to perform a ritual for cleansing. A number of steps were to be followed involving the killing of one bird and the release of the other in the process of pronouncing the man clean (Lev. 14:1-7). The cleansed man could return to the camp but had to live outside the tent for seven days (Lev. 14:8). At the end of the seven days, all of the man’s hair had to be shaved (including beard and eyebrows) and had to bathe in water (Lev. 14:9).

On the eighth day, the man “brought offerings to the Lord (vv. 10, 11): a trespass offering (vv. 12–18); a sin offering (v. 19); a burnt offering (v. 20). The priest applied the blood to the leper’s ear, hand, and foot (v. 14).” (BBC) (Lev. 14:8-20). If the man was poor, he was allowed to take two turtledoves or two pigeons for the sin and burnt offering but still had to bring a lamb for a guilt (trespass) offering. In both cases of guilt offerings, the blood of the guilt offering was put on the lobe of the right ear, thumb of the right hand and big toe on the right foot of the one being cleansed.

The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron regarding the cleansing of houses. When they came into the land of Canaan which God gave to them as a possession, if He had put a case of leprous disease in the house, then the owner was to come and tell the priest (Lev. 14:33-35). “God would “put” the abnormal condition on a house as He did on a person. It did not just pass from person to dwelling by contagion (v. 34).” (NAC). The LORD gave instruction on how to cleanse the house involving the priest and either repairing or dismantling the house entirely depending on the severity (Lev. 14:36-53). The chapter concludes with a summary that this is the law for leprous disease for an itch, garment, house, swelling or spot to show when it is unclean and when it is clean (Lev. 14:54-57).

Application

Reading of the cleansing laws of Leviticus and that such laws needed to exist serves to underscore that this world is marred by the effects of sin. Moreover, that we need cleansing and consecration before we can ever be considered worthy to be in the presence of a holy God. In the Old Testament, this cleansing was continual because sin is pervasive. There was never a ritual provided that deemed an individual entirely and eternally clean. With what rejoicing should we then have as those who live this side of the cross that we haven been given such an an everlasting cleansing, not by any ritual performed by us but by the propitiatory work performed by God Himself in Christ Jesus.

Acts 15

Observation

Some men arose and were teaching the brothers that circumcision was required for salvation and to adhere to the Mosaic law (Acts 15:1). Paul and Barnabas debated with them and were appointed to go to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders. They were received by the brothers with great joy but some believers of the party of the Pharisees rose up and said that circumcision was necessary in order to keep the law of Moses (Acts 15:4-5). The apostles and elders gathered together to consider the matter (Acts 15:6). Peter then stood up and told the brothers that the Gentiles were given the Holy Spirit just as He did to the Jews and rebuked their attempt to test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither they nor their fathers were able to bear (Acts 15:11). Peter quoted Amos 9:11-12 and told the brothers that it was his judgment that the Gentiles who turn to God should not be troubled but to instead write to them that they abstain from things polluted by idols, sexual immorality, what has been strangled and from blood (Acts 15:20). This seemed good to the apostles and elders, so they composed such a letter (Acts 15:22-29). They were sent off, delivered the letter and the response in Antioch was rejoicing and encouragement (Acts 15:35).

After some days, Paul said to Barnabas that they should return to every city in which they had proclaimed the word of the Lord to see how they were doing (Acts 15:36). Barnabas wanted to take Mark, but Paul did not want to take the one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to do the work (Acts 15:38). There arose a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, leading them to split; Barnabas taking Mark with him to Cyprus while Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commanded by the brothers to the grace of the Lord (Acts 15:39-40). Paul went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches (Acts 15:41).

Application

Looking on Peter’s address of the Pharisees regarding the requirement of circumcision and obedience to Mosaic law, it is helpful to consider just how transformative was Peter’s vision of the sheet, the animals and Jesus telling him, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” (Acts 10:9-16). It continued to bear fruit as we see in this chapter that Peter, a Jew himself, understood how there was to be no distinction between Jew and Gentile. This reinforces the universality with which we are to approach others with the gospel, harboring no reservations as to whom we speak of the need for repentance and faith in Christ.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that You saw fit to cleanse Your people and make a way for us to be with You forever. Thank You that You have made such a gracious sacrifice and that, by the blood of Your Son, the wrath and dominion of my sin has been washed away. Father, help me to look upon every soul as in need or your grace and salvation, to meet them with the love and truth of the gospel, obedient to the calling You have placed on my life.

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