Lesson&#9& Eeeeew!&&What s&that?& Of&scaly&infec9ons,&mold&and&mildew& (Levi&cus*13:*1* *14:*57)* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 1%

Transcription

1 Lesson&#9& Eeeeew!&&What s&that?& Of&scaly&infec9ons,&mold&and&mildew& (Levi&cus*13:*1* *14:*57)* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 1%

2 In*Lesson*#8*we*addressed*a*lingering*ques&on*from*Lesson*#9*about*the* dietary*restric&ons*in*levi&cus*11.**if*properly*followed*the*dietary*restric&ons* embodied*a*high*moral*and*ethical*standard*which*understood*life*as*sacred* in*all*its*various*forms.**at*the*&me*of*jesus*however 1,500*years*aMer* Levi&cus*11 many*observed*the*outward*prac&ce*of*the*laws*me&culously,* but*blatantly*disregarded*their*deeper*meaning.**jesus*severely*cri&cizes*such* hypocrisy.** In*the*early*days*of*the*Church*as*Gen&les*became*believers,*the*dietary*laws* (indeed,*all*613*laws*in*the*torah)*came*into*ques&on,*for*they*posed*a* significant*barrier*to*gen&les*seeking*to*enter*the*church.**at*the*council*of* Jerusalem*in*A.D.*50*(Acts*15)*the*Apostles*and*other*Church*leaders*met*in* Jerusalem*to*consider*the*ques&on:** Should*a*Gen&le*who*wishes*to*be*a* follower*of*christ*be*required*to*observe*the*mosaic*law? **Ul&mately,*the* answer*was* no. * And*with*that*decision*the*Church*gained*the*poten&al*to*become*a*global* enterprise,*rather*than*a*minor*sect*within*judaism.* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 2%

3 AMer*addressing*this*ques&on*in*Lesson*#8,*we*moved*on*to*Lesson*#9,* addressing*the*topic*of*childbirth,*the*subject*of*levi&cus*12,*and*we*learned* that*when*a*woman*gives*birth*to*a*son,*she*is* impure *for*7*days;*on*the*8 th * day*the*boy*is*circumcised;*for*33*days*she*is*in*a*state*of* blood*purity ;*and* on*the*40 th *day*she*undergoes*a*ritual*purifica&on*at*the*temple.**jesus* mother,*mary,*follows*levi&cus*12*precisely;*as*we*read*in*luke*2:*22_24,*mary* offers*two*turtledoves*as*her*sacrifice,*the*offering*of*a*poor*person.**mary s* offering*is*the*only&evidence*we*have*that*jesus*was*born*into*a*poor*family.** If*a*woman*gives*birth*to*a*daughter,*all*the*numbers*in*Levi&cus*12*double:** 14*days*of*impurity*and*66*days*of*blood*purity,*for*a*total*of*80*days.* Far*from*sugges&ng*anything*nega&ve,*these*periods*of*impurity*and*blood* purity*probe*a*profound*reality.**when*a*woman*brings*life*into*the*world,*she* simultaneously*experiences*significant*loss*of*blood,*represen&ng*a*loss*of* life.**consequently,*these*periods*of*impurity*symbolically*highlight*the* intricate,*primal*struggle*between*life*and*death,*a*theme*that*lies*at*the*very* heart*of*scripture.** Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 3%

4 As*we*enter*Levi&cus*13_14*we*encounter*detailed*instruc&ons*concerning* a*condi&on*that*scripture*terms*sara'at,*a*hebrew*word*tradi&onally* translated* leprosy. **To*be*sure,*sara at*is*a*much*broader*term*than* leprosy,*or*modern_day*hansen s*disease;*in*scripture*it*is*a*condi&on*that* infects*people,*clothing*and*even*houses*in*the*form*of* mold *or* mildew, * and*it*manifests*itself*as* scales ;*hence,*our*catholic&study&bible*translates* sara at*as* scaly*infec&on ;*Jacob*Milgrom*renders*it*as* scale*disease. * Ask*a*modern_day*dermatologist*what*sara at*is,*based*upon*levi&cus* 13_14,*and*he*or*she*will*say,* I*don t*know, *for*sara at*does*not*describe* any*known*medical*condi&on,*either*today*or*in*the*ancient*past.* In*Levi&cus*sara'at*is*not*a*medical*condi&on,*but*an*emblem*of*sin*and* death.**understanding*the*condi&on*in*this*way*opens*the*door*to*a*much* deeper*understanding*of*the* scaly*infec&ons *in*levi&cus*13_14.* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 4%

5 Levi&cus*13*and*14*together*form*one* unit*on* scaly*infec&ons *or* scale* disease, *a*condi&on*that*renders*a* person* unclean. *** On*the*surface,*it*makes*sense*that* living*in*a*close_knit*community,*any* person*with*a*disease*that*might*infect* others*would*be*deemed* unclean * and*would*be*isolated*from*the* community*un&l*the*disease*was* cured.* But*that s*not*what*levi&cus*13* and*14*are*about!* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 5%

6 Wait!**I m*confused.** I*thought*these* chapters*were*about* leprosy. **Didn t* Not*me.** Jesus*cure*a*man* with*leprosy?* I*thought*I*had* leprosy,*but*it* was*only*fleas.* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 6%

7 Leprosy,*or*Hansen s*disease,*comes*in* two*forms:**nodular*and*nervous;* generally*both*forms*present* themselves.**nodular*leprosy*begins*as* mahogany*or*sepia_colored*spots,* followed*by*the*appearance*of*nodules.** In*the*advanced*stage*the*face*is* completely*disfigured*with*nodules.***as* the*disease*progresses,*insensibility*of* the*skin*and*paralysis*ensues,*and*the* fingers*and*toes*may*rot*away.* Today,*leprosy*can*be*cured*with*mul&_ drug*therapy*(daily*dapsone&and*monthly* rifampicin&or*clofazimine&for*6_12* months);*in*ancient*&mes*leprosy*could* not*be*cured.* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 7%

8 The*disease*in*Levi&cus*has*nothing&in* common*with*leprosy,*or*modern_day* Hansen s*disease:**the*symptoms*are* different;*the*disease*in*levi&cus*is* curable;*and*fabrics*and*homes*can* contract*the*disease,*as*well*as*people.* The*confusion*began*when*the* Septuagint*(the*Greek*transla&on*of* the*hebrew*bible,*c.*250*b.c.)*rendered* the*hebrew*sara'at&as*levpra (lepra),*a* Greek*generic*term*for*a*variety*of*skin* diseases,*also*used*in*the*new* Testament*(in*Makhew*8:*1_4*Jesus* cures*a*lepro;v, (lepros&=*leper).**** Early*English*transla&ons*simply* englished *levpra as* leprosy, *the* modern_day*term*for*hanson s*disease.* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 8%

9 I*didn t*know*that!** Well,*I m*relieved* that*my* Not*me.** misunderstanding*is* finally*cleared*up.* I m*relieved* that*my*fleas* are*gone,*too.* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 9%

10 Sara at*or* scaly*infec&on *in*a* person*manifests*itself*in:* 1. a*mark,*lesion*or*blotch*on*the*skin;* 2. the*hair*on*the*infec&on*turns*white;* 3. the*infec&on*appears*to*be*deeper*than* the*skin;* 4. over*&me*the*color*of*the*infec&on* deepens;* 5. raw*flesh*may*form*in*the*infec&on;** 6. *scabs*develop*and*spread,*and** 7. the*skin*takes*on*a* scaly *look.* If*these*symptoms*occur*the*person* has*sara at,*a* scaly*infec&on, *and* the*priest*must*pronounce*him*or* her* unclean. * Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 10%

11 When*that*happens,*Levi&cus* 13:*45_46*tells*us*that*.*.*.* The&garments&of&one&afflicted&with&a& scaly&infec9on&shall&be&rent&and&the& hair&disheveled,&and&the&mustache& covered.&&the&individual&shall&cry&out,& Unclean,&unclean! &&As&long&as&the& infec9on&is&present,&the&person&shall&be& unclean.&&being&unclean,&that&individual& shall&dwell&apart,&taking&up&residence& outside&the&camp. & Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 11%

12 Yet,*it s*important*to*note*that* even*though*such*people*are* isolated*from*the*community,* they*are*not*isolated*because* they*are*infec9ous!*** Consider*the*case*of*Naaman,* the*aramean*general*in*2*kings* 1_13.* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 12%

13 Pieter*de*Grebber.**Elisha&Refuses&the&GiR&of&Naaman*(oil*on*canvas),*1637.* Franz*Hals*Museum,*Haarlem,*Netherlands.* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 13%

14 Although*Naaman*is*a*leper:** he*commands*the*aramean*army;* *he*is*married*and*lives*with*his*wife;* he*is*led*into*the*king*of*aram s*presence;* he*brings*gims,*including*10*festal*garments,* that*presumably*are*not*infected*by*his* contact*with*them;* he*stops*at*the*prophet*elisha s*house;* Naaman*speaks*with*his*servants;*and** he*is*cleansed*by*obeying*elisha s*command* to*dip*himself*seven*&mes*in*the*jordan* River.* If*Naaman*were*infec&ous,*he*would* not*be*interac&ng*with*his*king,*his* wife,*his*servants*and*others;*he* would*be*isolated.* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 14%

15 Only*among*Israelites*do*the* leprosy *regula&ons*of* Levi&cus*apply!* So,*we*must*ask*ourselves:* why? * There*are*only*four&Israelites*signaled*out* in*the*hebrew*scriptures*who*have* sara at,&or* leprosy :* 1. *Moses *sister*miriam*(numbers*12:* *1_16);* 2. David s*commanding*general,*joab*(2* Samuel*3:*22_30);* 3. Gehazi,*the*prophet*Elisha s*servant* in*the*naaman*story*(2*kings*5:* 19a_27);*and* 4. King*Uzziah*(2*Chronicles*26:*16_23)** Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 15%

16 There*are*only*four&Israelites* signaled*out*in*the*hebrew* Scriptures*who*have*sara at,& leprosy :* 1. *Moses *sister*miriam*(numbers*12:* *1_16);* 2. David s*commanding*general,*joab* (2*Samuel*3:*22_30);* 3. Gehazi,*the*prophet*Elisha s* servant*in*the*naaman*story*(2* Kings*5:*19a_27);*and* 4. King*Uzziah*(2*Chronicles*26:*16_23)** xxxx* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 16%

17 Anselm*Friedrich*Feuerbach.**Miriam&(oil*on*canvas),*1862.* Na&onal*Gallery,*Berlin.*** Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 17%

18 There*are*only*four&Israelites* signaled*out*in*the*hebrew* Scriptures*who*have*sara at,& leprosy :* 1. *Moses *sister*miriam*(numbers*12:* *1_16);* 2. David s*commanding*general,*joab* (2*Samuel*3:*22_30);* 3. Gehazi,*the*prophet*Elisha s* servant*in*the*naaman*story*(2* Kings*5:*19a_27);*and* 4. King*Uzziah*(2*Chronicles*26:*16_23)** xxxx* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 18%

19 Joab*Pursues*Sheba*to*the*City*of*Abel_Bethmaacah *[2*Samuel*20:*14_22]*(illuminated* manuscript),*morgan&bible&(ms*m.*638),*c.*1240_1250.**the*pierpont*morgan*library,*new*york.**** Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 19%

20 There*are*only*four&Israelites* signaled*out*in*the*hebrew* Scriptures*who*have*sara at,& leprosy :* 1. *Moses *sister*miriam*(numbers*12:* *1_16);* 2. David s*commanding*general,*joab* (2*Samuel*3:*22_30);* 3. Gehazi,*the*prophet*Elisha s* servant*in*the*naaman*story*(2* Kings*5:*19a_27);*and* 4. King*Uzziah*(2*Chronicles*26:*16_23)** xxxx* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 20%

21 Bernhardt*Rode.** Gehazi*akempts*to*awaken*the*son*of*the*Sunammite*woman*with*the*staff*of* Elisha *[2*Kings*4:*29_31]*(engraving),*c.*1780.* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 21%

22 There*are*only*four&Israelites* signaled*out*in*the*hebrew* Scriptures*who*have*sara at,& leprosy :* 1. *Moses *sister*miriam*(numbers*12:* *1_16);* 2. David s*commanding*general,*joab* (2*Samuel*3:*22_30);* 3. Gehazi,*the*prophet*Elisha s* servant*in*the*naaman*story*(2* Kings*5:*19a_27);*and* 4. King*Uzziah*(2*Chronicles*26:*16_23)** xxxx* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 22%

23 Rembrandt.&&King&Uzziah&Stricken&with&Leprosy&(oil*on*canvas),*1635.* Chatsworth*House,*Derbyshire,*England.* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 23%

24 Interes&ng!** What*do*these* four*stories* have*in* Not*me* common?** Get*him* away*from* me!* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 24%

25 All*four*had*transgressed*God s*law;* all*four*were*struck*by*god*with* leprosy ;*and*all*four*were*rendered* * ** unclean *as*a*result.* 1. Miriam*for*speaking*disrespectul*words* against*god s*servant,*moses;* 2. Joab*for*murdering*his*rival,*Abner*(and* for*undermining*david s*claim*to*the* kingship);* 3. Gehazi*for*dishonesty*and*for*bringing* Israel*into*disrepute*among*the* Arameans;*and* 4. Uzziah*for*usurping*the*priests *privileges* in*offering*incense*in*the*temple.* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 25%

26 Exactly!**So,* what*do*we* learn*from* Not*me.** this?* He s*gone,*but* his*cloud*of* bugs*are*s&ll* here!* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 26%

27 As*Jacob*Milgrom*insightully*observes:* Biblical&scale&disease&is&difficult&to& iden9fy.&&but&one&thing&is&certain:&&it&is& ritual,&not&pathology. &&* As*sin*pollutes*the*sacred*space*of*the* Tabernacle*like*a*noxious*cloud*making* it* unclean, *so*does*sin*pollute*a* person*like*a*noxious*cloud,*making* him*or*her* unclean ;*and*as*the* sacred*space*of*the*tabernacle*must*be* purified,*so*must*an* unclean *person* be*purified.* Consequently,*we*should*approach*the* occurrence*and*treatment*of*sara at* throughout*scripture*as*an*element*of* ritual,*as*a*symbol*or*emblem*of*sin* and*death,*not&as*a*medical*condi&on.* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 27%

28 If*we*examine*Levi&cus*13*and*14* closely,*we*find*that*the*two*chapters* make*up*one*structural*unit.*** * ** Part*1* Sara at*in*people*(13:*1_46)* *Introduc&on,*(v.*1)* * *Example*#1,*(mark*on*skin,*2_8)* * *Example*#2,*(raw*flesh,*9_17)* * *Example*#3,*(boil,*18_23)* * *Example*#4,*(burn*on*skin,*24_28)* * *Example*#5,*(infec&on*on*head*or*beard,*29_37)* * *Example*#6,*(mul&ple*blotches,*38_39)* * *Example*#7,*(baldness,*40_44)* *Conclusion,(*vv.*45_46)* Sara at*in*garments*(13:*47_59)* *Introduc&on*(47_48)* * *Examina&on*of*garments*(49_58)* *Conclusion*(59)* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 28%

29 If*we*examine*Levi&cus*13*and*14* closely,*we*find*that*the*two*chapters* make*up*one*structural*unit.*** * ** Part*2* Purifica&on*aMer*sara at*in*people*(14:*1_32)* *Introduc&on*(*vv.*1_2)* * *Phase*#1,*Reintegra&on*Ritual*(2_8a)* * *Phase*#2,*Interval*(8b_9)* * *Phase*#3,*Full*integra&on*(10_20)* * * *Introduc&on*(10_11)* * * * *Guilt*offering*(12_18)* * * * *Sin*offering*(19a)* * * * *Burnt*offering*(19b_20a)* * * *Conclusion*(20b)* * *Poor*Person s*sacrifice*(21_32)* Purifica&on*aMer*sara at*in*housing&(13:*33_53)* * *Part*of*a*house*(33_42)* * *Whole*house*(43_55)* Conclusion*(vv.*54_57)* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 29%

30 We ll*look*at*one*example*of*sara at&in* people*to*illustrate,*since*similar*pakerns* recur*for*each,*and*then*we ll*look*at*the* cleansing*ritual*arer&one*is*cured.* * ** Part*1* Sara at*in*people*(13:*1_46)ll*look*at*one*example* *Introduc&on,*(v.*1)* * *Example*#1,*(mark*on*skin,*2_8)* * *Example*#2,*(raw*flesh,*9_17)* * *Example*#3,*(boil,*18_23)* * *Example*#4,*(burn*on*skin,*24_28)* * *Example*#5,*(infec&on*on*head*or*beard,*29_37)* * *Example*#6,*(mul&ple*blotches,*38_39)* * *Example*#7,*(baldness,*40_44)* *Conclusion,(*vv.*45_46)* Sara at*in*garments*(13:*47_59)* *Introduc&on*(47_48)* * *Examina&on*of*garments*(49_58)* *Conclusion*(59)* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 30%

31 Sara at in People Mark on the skin, (13: 1-4) Part 1 Examination and Quarantine The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: When someone has on the skin a mark, lesion, or blotch which appears to develop into a scaly infection, the person shall be brought to Aaron, the priest, or to one of the priests among his sons. If the priest, upon examination of the skin s infection, finds that the hair on the infection has turned white and the infection itself appears to be deeper than the skin, it is indeed a scaly infection; the priest, on seeing this shall declare the person unclean. If, however, the blotch on the skin is white, but does not seem to be deeper than the skin, nor has the hair turned white, the priest shall quarantine the afflicted person for seven days. Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 31%

32 Sara at in People Jacob Milgrom reminds us that the enigma of scale disease cannot be resolved by medical science, but it can, at least, be illuminated once the medical approach is abandoned and attention is directed to the text itself. We are dealing with ritual, not medicine. Moreover, the text stresses that it is not the disease per se but its appearance that is the source of the impurity. Ordina>on%of%Aaron%and%His%Sons% 32%

33 Sara at in People Mark on the skin, (13: 1-4) When someone has on the skin a mark, lesion, or blotch which appears to develop into a scaly infection, the person shall be brought to the priest. If the priest finds that (1) the hair on the infection has turned white; (2) the infection itself appears to be deeper than the skin: the priest shall declare the person unclean [tam e]. If, however, the (1) blotch on the skin is white; (2) does not seem to be deeper than the skin; (3) nor has the hair turned white: the priest shall quarantine the afflicted person for 7 days. Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 33%

34 Sara at in People, cont. Mark on the skin, (13: 5-6) Part 2 Quarantine Period Should the priest, upon examination on the seventh day, find that the infection has remained unchanged in color and has not spread on the skin, the priest shall quarantine the person for another seven days. Should the priest, upon examination again on the seventh day, find that the infection is now faded and has not spread on the skin, the priest shall declare the person clean; it was merely a scab. The person shall wash his garments and so become clean again. Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 34%

35 Sara at in People Mark on the skin, (13: 5-6) Notice once again for the umpteenth time the repetition of the number seven. If we were dealing with a skin pathology, rather than a ritual, the 7-day quarantine periods would produce little significant evidence for progression or remission of the disease, reinforcing our position that we are dealing with ritual, not pathology. Ordina>on%of%Aaron%and%His%Sons% 35%

36 Part 3 Recurrence Sara at in People, cont. Mark on the skin, (13: 7-8) But if after the person was examined by the priest and declared clean, the scab spreads at all on the skin, the person shall once more be examined by the priest. Should the priest, upon examination, find that the scab has indeed spread on the skin, he shall declare the person unclean; it is a scaly infection. Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 36%

37 When*the*priest*declares*a* person* unclean, *remember* what*happens:* The&garments&of&one&afflicted&with&a& scaly&infec9on&shall&be&rent&and&the& hair&disheveled,&and&the&mustache& covered.&&the&individual&shall&cry&out,& Unclean,&unclean! &&As&long&as&the& infec9on&is&present,&the&person&shall&be& unclean.&&being&unclean,&that&individual& shall&dwell&apart,&taking&up&residence& outside&the&camp. & * * * * *(13:*45_46)* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 37%

38 As*Jacob*Milgrom*noted,*it*is*not*the*disease* itself,*but*the*discolored,*scaly*appearance& of*the*disease*that*makes*one* unclean. ** Consequently,*fabrics*and*houses*can*also* have* leprosy the*discolored,*scaly* appearance&of*mold*and*mildew.* The*story*of*Miriam s*leprosy*highlights*the* meaning*of*this* leprous *appearance.** Recall*that*when*Aaron*sees*his*sister* stricken*with*sara at,*he*cries*out*to*moses:* Do&not&let&her&be&like&the&s9llborn&baby&that& comes&forth&from&his&mother s&womb&with&its& flesh&half&consumed. & * * * * *(Numbers*12:*12)* Miriam*appears*to*be*a*walking*corpse.* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 38%

39 The*primal*struggle*between*life*and* death*emerges*in*many*ways*in* Scripture*through*myth,*stories,*images* and*symbols.**in*levi&cus*13*and*14* sara at&is*a*symbol*or*emblem*of*death.*** The* unclean *person*is*a*walking,* talking*reminder*that*when*sin*entered* the*world*in*genesis*3,*decay*and*death* quickly*followed,*and*we*are*all*subject* to*it.* In*God s*plan*of*redemp&on*christ* ul&mately*conquers*death,*and*we*are* granted*eternal*life*through*him.**but*in* our*story*it*will*take*a*while*to*get* there.* In*the* leprosy *chapters*of*levi&cus*we* see*a*vivid*reminder*of*what s*at*stake.* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 39%

40 Got*it!* For%unto%you%a%child%is%born%.%.%.% 40%

41 I*never*saw*the* leprosy *in*levi&cus* 13*that*way.**But*if* that s*the*case,*the* ritual*in*levi&cus*14* Not*me.** must*&e*in*somehow.* That s*too* complicated*for*me!** I*think*I ll*have*a* snack.* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 41%

42 Levi&cus*14*addresses* purifica&on*amer*sara at&has* been*healed*and*the*priest*has* declared*the*infected*person* clean. * And*it*is*a*very*curious*ritual!* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 42%

43 Purificaiton Rite (14: 1-4) The Lord said to Moses: This is the ritual for someone that had a scaly infection at the time of that person s purification. The individual shall be brought to the priest, who is to go outside the camp. If the priest, upon inspection, finds that the scaly infection has healed in the afflicted person, he shall order that two live, clean birds, as well as some cedar wood, scarlet yarn and hyssop be obtained for the one who is to be purified. Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 43%

44 Purification Rite (14: 1-4) The unclean person has already been healed. This is not a healing rite, but a purification rite; the unclean person dwells outside the camp, and the priest goes out to him and; the four items 2 live, clean birds; cedar wood; scarlet yarn and; hyssop are brought on behalf of the man as gifts. Ordina>on%of%Aaron%and%His%Sons% 44%

45 Purificaiton Rite (14: 5-8a) The priest shall then order that one of the birds be slaughtered over an earthen vessel with fresh water in it. Taking the living bird with the cedar wood, the scarlet yarn and the hyssop, the priest shall dip them, including the live bird, in the blood of the bird that was slaughtered over the fresh water, and then sprinkle seven times on the person to be purified from the scaly infection. When he has thus purified that person, he shall let the living bird fly away over the countryside. The person being purified shall then wash his garments, shave off all hair, and bathe in water, and so become clean. Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 45%

46 Jacob*Milgrom*explains*that*the* bird*rite *in*levi&cus*14* is*a* residue*of*a*pagan*exorcis&c* rite *that*banishes*evil*from*the* community.**in*this*rite as*well* as*in*the* scapegoat *of* Levi&cus*16 Israel*pulled*the* rite*up*by*its*pagan*roots*and* transformed*it*into*a* monotheis&c*ritual*compa&ble* with*tabernacle/temple* worship.*** Anthropologically,*that*is* probably*what*happened.* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 46%

47 Through*a*Chris&an* interpreta&ve*lens,*however,*we* dig*far*deeper*into*the* underlying,*typological*meaning* of*the*rite.* If*sara at&or* leprosy *is*an* emblem*of*sin*and*death,*it*is* Christ*who*conquers*sin*and* death*through*his*own*death,* burial*and*resurrec&on.** Consequently,*Chris&an*typology* invites*us*to*see*christ*in*all*the* elements*of*the* bird*rite. * Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 47%

48 Here s How It Works The sinful person lives outside the community, apart from the family of God; as St Paul says, we are dead in trespass and sin, like the leper, a walking spiritual corpse. Sinful from birth, we can do nothing to save ourselves; only God can save us by the gift of his son, freely given; The bird rite reminds us of what that gift is: the person and work of Christ. Ordina>on%of%Aaron%and%His%Sons% 48%

49 Purificaiton Rite (14: 5-8a) The priest shall then order that one of the birds be slaughtered over an earthen vessel with fresh water in it. Taking the living bird with the cedar wood, the scarlet yarn and the hyssop, the priest shall dip them, including the live bird, in the blood of the bird that was slaughtered over the fresh water, and then sprinkle seven times on the person to be purified from the scaly infection. When he has thus purified that person, he shall let the living bird fly away over the countryside. The person being purified shall then wash his garments, shave off all hair, and bathe in water, and so become clean. Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 49%

50 The Bird Rite Slaughtered bird the death of Christ; Earthen vessel the person of Christ incarnate; Fresh water the water of baptism; Living bird resurrection of Christ; Cedar wood the cross; Scarlet yarn shed blood of Christ on the cross Hyssop traditionally used for cleansing (lifted to Christ on the cross) Dip them fully identify them with the death of Christ; Sprinkle 7 times the clean person is purified; Living bird flies away Christ takes away our sin. Ordina>on%of%Aaron%and%His%Sons% 50%

51 That*is* Not*me.* very*cool!** Wow!* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 51%

52 The Bird Rite After the bird rite the newly clean person may reenter the camp, where he waits seven days. On the eighth day he offers: Guilt offering (14: 14-18) Sin offering (19a) Burnt offering (19b-20) Through a Christian interpretative lens, the person is now clean, his sin is forgiven and God views him as holy and righteous. Ordina>on%of%Aaron%and%His%Sons% 52%

53 Jean_Marie*Melchior*Doze.**Christ&Cleansing&a&Leper&(oil*on*canvas),*1864.* Musee*des*Beaux_Arts,*Nimes,*France.* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 53%

54 1. What*are*the*first*signs*that*a*person*has* sara at,*or* leprosy?* 2. When*such*a*person*presents*himself*to* the*priest,*what*happens?* 3. If*a*person*is*found*to*be* unclean, *what* happens?* 4. When*a*person s*infec&on*appears*to* heal,*what*does*he*or*she*do?* 5. When*Jesus*heals*the*leper*in*Makhew*8,* what*happens?* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 54%

55 Copyright* *2015*by*William*C.*Creasy* * All* rights* reserved.* No* part* of* this* course audio,* video,* photography,* maps,* &melines* or* other* media may* be* reproduced*or*transmiked*in*any*form*by*any*means,*electronic* or* mechanical,* including* photocopying,* recording* or* by* any* informa&on* storage* or* retrieval* devices* without* permission* in* wri&ng*or*a*licensing*agreement*from*the*copyright*holder.* Eeeeew!%%What's%That?% 55%