Skin Deep. by T. Kifle

Among many other roles, Old testament priests had one very peculiar responsibility - they were directly responsible for diagnosing any and all skin blemishes that might appear on the flesh of an Israelite. Ultimately, this was Gods plan for protecting his people from harmful diseases - leprosy being the most notable. Leviticus chapter 13 is entirely dedicated to this cause (hint, hint: read it, or at least the first four verses). In summary, if a man, woman, boy or girl where to manifest any mark, blemish, rising or bright spot on the flesh; they were to immediately show themselves to the priest for a thorough inspection according to Leviticus 13. For the unfortunate fellow who had contracted leprosy, this was the worst day ever. Usually this person was held for a few days, and the blemish was observed. If it was indeed leprosy they had contracted, they would very quickly be pronounced unclean......... and their life would soon be destroyed by the the awful plague.

God, through moses, gave the high priest very detailed and specific instructions on how to diagnose those who presented themselves for inspection. One of the most interesting methods for diagnosis was simply the "Skin Deep" method. If the mark, blemish, bright spot etc., appeared to be deeper than the skin it, it usually indicated a more serious diagnosis.


Leviticus 13

1And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, saying,

2When a man shall have in the skin of his flesh a rising, a scab, or bright spot, and it be in the skin of his flesh like the plague of leprosy; then he shall be brought unto Aaron the priest, or unto one of his sons the priests:
3And the priest shall look on the plague in the skin of the flesh: and when the hair in the plague is turned white, and the plague in sight be deeper than the skin of his flesh, it is a plague of leprosy: and the priest shall look on him, and pronounce him unclean.

If the blemish was just a scab left from the scald of boiling water adys prior, the spot was still subject to just as much scrutiny as any other blemish. But it seems to me (pardon the insertion of personal opinion) that the priest would have to be pretty proficient in determining what was skin deep, and what wasn't. Imagine living in those days and being falsely diagnosed after a slight discoloration due to some vitamin or mineral deficiency appeared somewhere on your flesh. On the other hand, imagine if an actual case of leprosy managed to be misdiagnosed and dismissed due to lack of accurate judgement on behalf of the priest. So it would be safe to say that the Old Testament priest was the forerunner to the modern day dermatologist. Simply a professional.


Leprosy represents sin.

Your pastor is a dermatologist.

The man of God in your life has been given the responsibility to diagnose your spirit and deal with you accordingly. An outward problem in your attitude, spirit, conduct or demeanor could simply be the result in low blood sugar or it can be and outward symptom of something greater -Sin. Your pastor also uses the skin deep method. Allow me the freedom for personal reference once again. When I wake up in the morning, I seldom speak, I wear a frown and can be the most unpleasant company if provoked with questions like, "did you take out the trash last night?". Yes, we're all human. You might say, " what a rude, disrespectful, and ill mannered fellow that young man is". But my case might be dismissed just by nature of it being just skin deep. On the other hand, when a saint walks into the church house, and the pastor notices an outward change in their spirit, conduct and appearance - he might begin to observe them more closely. He may even make it a point to stop by and chat with that saint after service. That saint might even find themselve in his office. Since your pastor is a praying man, with the spirit of discernment; he can then conclude if the symptoms were skin deep, or the result of sin your life.

Your pastor has a great responsibility on his hands -your salvation. Make it easy for him by always being willing to present yourself for inspection. Running and/or hiding will just give sin and carnality more time to grow on you. And when you finally humble yourself enough to be inspected, you may realize that your situation requires more drastic remedies. Now there is hope for those who have been overtaken by the plague of sin. The diagnosis of sin is not a death sentence like the diagnosis of leprosy was. We have all been diagnosed with sin since birth; the Psalmist David said "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me".
But God has given us a prescription that confounds even doctors and scientists - It's repentance, baptism in Jesus's name in the infilling of the Holy ghost.

Man I feel like havin' some church up in here!