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hyssopThe 14th chapter of Leviticus has 55 verses which cover an extremely detailed instructional for priests regarding the purification of lepers. The priest was assigned the responsibility of examining the leper and determining whether she or he was healed and able to join the others. He also performed the offering for forgiveness of sin and purification of the leper. Two birds were required, hyssop, and cedar wood for only one part of the ceremony. There were days of instructions to follow involving other sacrifices and precise steps which had to be maintained such as:"And the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and the priest shall put it upon the tip of the right ear of him that it is be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot;"
While reading this chapter it struck me that all the specific instructions required obedience and faith. Perhaps, and I do not claim to be a Bible scholar, but just perhaps the Lord was testing the Priests and the people, creating step after step to follow creating a closer bond to Himself with the people while maintaining cleanliness and protection from disease because their faith and obedience would help them to regain their health?
Note: Hyssop is a herb which is anti-viral and also used as an expectorant, found in many natural cough remedies. Chemicals and nutrients found in hyssop are diosmine, essential oils, flavonoids, marrubin and tannins. Poultices were created which sped up the healing of wounds. |
