141 And the Lord said to Moses, 2 This is the law of the leper on the day when he is made clean: he is to be taken to the priest; 3 And the priest is to go outside the tent-circle; and if, after looking, the priest sees that the mark of the disease has gone from him, 4 Then the priest is to give orders to take, for him who is to be made clean, two living clean birds and some cedar wood and red thread and hyssop. 5 And the priest will give orders for one of the birds to be put to death in a vessel made of earth, over flowing water. 6 And he will take the living bird and the wood and the red thread and the hyssop and put them in the blood of the bird which was put to death over flowing water. 7 And shaking it seven times over the man who is to be made clean, he will say that he is clean and will let the living bird go free into the open country. 8 And he who is to be made clean will have his clothing washed and his hair cut and have a bath, and he will be clean. And after that he will come back to the tent-circle; but he is to keep outside his tent for seven days. 9 And on the seventh day he is to have all the hair cut off his head and his chin and over his eyes—all his hair is to be cut off—and he will have his clothing washed and his body bathed in water and he will be clean.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Leviticus 14:1-9
Commentary on Leviticus 14:1-9
(Read Leviticus 14:1-9)
The priests could not cleanse the lepers; but when the Lord removed the plague, various rules were to be observed in admitting them again to the ordinances of God, and the society of his people. They represent many duties and exercises of truly repenting sinners, and the duties of ministers respecting them. If we apply this to the spiritual leprosy of sin, it intimates that when we withdraw from those who walk disorderly, we must not count them as enemies, but admonish them as brethren. And also that when God by his grace has brought to repentance, they ought with tenderness and joy, and sincere affection, to be received again. Care should always be taken that sinners may not be encouraged, nor penitents discouraged. If it were found that the leprosy was healed, the priest must declare it with the particular solemnities here described. The two birds, one killed, and the other dipped in the blood of the bird that was killed, and then let loose, may signify Christ shedding his blood for sinners, and rising and ascending into heaven. The priest having pronounced the leper clean from the disease, he must make himself clean from all remains of it. Thus those who have comfort of the remission of their sins, must with care and caution cleanse themselves from sins; for every one that has this hope in him, will be concerned to purify himself.