Skin, stones and sacrifices in Leviticus.

As we journey through Leviticus, it is easy to get lost in the procedures or ignore them entirely — the inspections, the isolations, the scraping of walls, the shaving of hair, the washing, the sacrifices and many more. At first glance, it feels repetitive and almost unrelatable to us today. But if you slow down and look closely, you'll notice a pattern.


In Leviticus 13 and 14, the same word(tzaraath) is used to describe a skin disease, a contaminated garment, and even mold in a house. We see the priest examining a person, then he examines a building. The process is strikingly similar;

Inspection - Isolation - Re-inspection - Removal - Restoration.


Just as a human body can be declared unclean, a physical house can also be declared unclean and both are treated with seriousness. That should make us pause.


God does not treat uncleanness casually — whether it appears on skin or on stone walls. Why? Because He dwells among His people. The camp is not ordinary space. It is shared space with a holy God.


What stands out for me is the repeated question: Has it spread? That is what concerns God. Not merely the presence of corruption — but its progression. If it spreads, stronger action is required; Stones are removed, walls are scraped and in some cases, the house is dismantled completely. It sounds drastic, until you remember what is at stake: the presence of God among His people.


There is wisdom here for us today.


We may not be scraping walls or quarantining houses for holy reasons, but the principle remains. What we allow to remain unchecked has the potential to spread. Attitudes, habits, secret compromises, bitterness, pride, quiet disobedience, etcetera. These things rarely stay contained.


Leviticus teaches us to inspect carefully. Not in fear. Not in condemnation. But in awareness that God can address uncleanness if only we work with Him. Remember His words to the woman "sin no more"? That was Him saying, clean up your house human! One clean house protects the next house from uncleanness.


This teaches me that holiness is not only personal — it is communal. Our homes, our conversations, our influences, our private spaces all matter. We are not only individuals; we are dwelling places.


Later Paul tells us that we are temples of the Holy Spirit. Living stones and a spiritual house. Suddenly the parallels deepen.


If mold mattered in brick and mortar, how much more does spiritual decay matter in the heart? If a house could be shut up for examination, perhaps we too need seasons of honest self-assessment. If infected stones were removed, perhaps some patterns in our lives must be confronted decisively rather than managed gently. We ought to guard our hearts diligently.



But Leviticus is not only about removal. It is about restoration.

- After inspection comes cleansing.

- After cleansing comes reentry.

- After sacrifice comes renewal.


The goal is never destruction but a restored dwelling place. God’s desire has always been the same: “I will dwell among them.”


When we pay attention to these parallels, Leviticus stops being an ancient manual about men of old and becomes a mirror. It invites us to examine our lives carefully, address what spreads quietly, and guard the spaces where God is welcomed.


So as you read, don’t rush past the details.

- Watch the pattern.

- Notice the parallels.

- Apply them wisely.


Because the God who cared about stones and skin still cares about the spaces where He chooses to dwell — and today, that space is a believers bidy.

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