Topic: Contagious Disease [Friday September 29, 2017]
Text: Leviticus 14:33-57
Key Verse: “And he shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird, and with the running water, and with the living bird, and with the cedar wood, and with the hyssop, and with the scarlet” (Leviticus 14:52).
Isolation and quarantine of individuals of infected or having a high risk of possible infection are commonly used as control measures during epidemic. Although isolation is probably always a desirable public health measure, quarantine is more controversial as it can inflict significant social, psychological, and economic costs without resulting in the detection of many infected individuals! When isolation is ineffective, the use of quarantine will be most beneficial when there is significant transmission rate.
Leprosy is a contagious disease. The Lord, knowing this, put laws in place for all manner of the plague of leprosy to prevent the spread of the disease! From our text, the priest was to visit and carry out some remedial activities when a house was suspected to have been inflicted with a plague of leprosy. And if the plague is persistent after the plaster of the house has been scraped and affected stones taken away, then the entire structure must be destroyed and the debris taken out of the city to prevent any spread of the disease. And if the house is eventually declared free from leprosy, then proper cleansing procedure is commanded before the house can be safely occupied.
Sin can be likened to leprosy. If unchecked, sin can spread like leaven and corrupt like a cankerworm. The only known agency potent enough to remove the stubborn stains of sin is the precious blood of Jesus. The Word also acts as water for cleansing of the soul because it brings conviction to the sinful heart, contrition to his spirit and then conversion that frees the soul from depravity. Christian parents should ensure all members of the family are cleansed from sin and washed in the blood of Jesus.
The best legacy we can give to our children is to teach them the way of the Lord when they are young so that when they grow up, they will not depart from it.
Thought for the day: Sin, like the plague of leprosy, must be isolated and dealt with.
Bible Reading in one Year: 1 John 1-5
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
