be cleansed from the disease of leprosy. So it is the most fitting symbol to show that Jesus is man's Great Physician, the saving health of all nations.
Moreover, seven is the number that God uses to represent holiness, and perfection. So, it is worthy of notice that the leper was not pronounced clean until he had brought the specified offerings, and the priest sprinkled the blood of the slain bird upon him seven times.
The revealer of hidden things went on to explain the purpose of the scarlet material, He said, scarlet is a colour of flame with a slightly orangish red colour, which was used to give a visual representation of how the pure, white and spotless character of man took on a different colour when the works of the flesh: covetousness, sensual pleasure, hatred, murder, malice, drunken-ness, and such like things (Galatians 5: 19-21), suffused the hue or brightness of his Creator's image in him.
As we carried on conversing, He told me that scarlet also represent God's covenant of salt that He made with Noah (Genesis 9: 12). For it is also a colour at the end of the colour spectrum of the rainbow next to the colour orange; and it resembles the colour of blood. In this symbolic art, God made me to understand that across the vast spectrum of nationalities, humanity may find hope through the blood of His only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, because “though our sins be as scarlet, Jesus shall make them as white as snow.” Isaiah 1: 18, margin.
Dear reader, God ordained the high priest and appointed the types of offering necessary for the cleansing of the leper, but only to serve as an example and shadow of a better covenant, which is established upon better promises, for it is not possible that the blood of two birds to take away our sins, heal our diseases, and restore us unto God. Search the scriptures and you will discover that all the ceremonial types in the Old Testament found their counterpart in the ministry and life’s work of Jesus the antitype. It is extremely important that you understand this fact. Jesus is the better sacrificial offering, and high priest. Read chapter 8¬-10 of Hebrews.
Therefore, Jesus the all-powerful creator can give you power over your inherited and cultivated tendencies that are very opposing in nature to the will of God for your own well-being. Pray this prayer with me, “Consider me O Lord, and teach me to love your precepts: restore your image in me, O Lord, according to your loving-kindness.” Psalms 119: 159.
ALTARBOY HERALD/January, 2013 9