From Scarlet to Snow: The Hidden Prophecies in Leviticus 14

Leviticus 14:4-7: The Ritual Cleansing of the Leper

Leviticus 14:4-7 (ESV)

4 the priest shall command them to take for him who is to be cleansed two live clean birds and cedarwood and scarlet yarn and hyssop. 5 And the priest shall command them to kill one of the birds in an earthenware vessel over fresh water. 6 He shall take the live bird with the cedarwood and the scarlet yarn and the hyssop, and dip them and the live bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water. 7 And he shall sprinkle it seven times on him who is to be cleansed of the leprous disease. Then he shall pronounce him clean and shall let the living bird go into the open field.

Key Elements in the Ritual:

1.Two Live Clean Birds:

•Symbolism: The two birds represent a substitutionary sacrifice, where one bird dies, symbolizing Christ’s sacrificial death, and the other is set free, symbolizing Christ’s resurrection and the freedom given to believers.

2.Cedarwood:

•Symbolism: Cedarwood is durable and resistant to decay, symbolizing the cross of Christ and the enduring nature of His sacrifice.

3.Scarlet Yarn:

•Symbolism: Scarlet represents sin and also the cleansing blood of Christ. It signifies the transformation from sin to purity.

4.Hyssop:

•Symbolism: Hyssop was used for purification rites. In the New Testament, it represents the cleansing and purification provided by Jesus’ sacrifice.

Connections in Psalms, Isaiah, and John

Psalms 51:7

Psalms 51:7 (ESV)

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Connection:

•David’s plea for purification with hyssop connects to the Levitical cleansing rituals. Just as hyssop was used in the cleansing of lepers, it signifies a deeper spiritual cleansing from sin. David recognizes that only God can purify him from his iniquity.

Isaiah 1:18

Isaiah 1:18 (ESV)

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”

Connection:

•Isaiah’s promise of purification highlights the transformation from sin (scarlet) to purity (white as snow). This connects to the Levitical ritual where the scarlet yarn represents sin, and the cleansing process points to the ultimate purification through Christ.

John 1:32

John 1:32 (ESV)

And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.”

Connection:

•The descending dove at Jesus’ baptism symbolizes the Holy Spirit. In the Levitical ritual, the live bird set free represents this freedom and new life given through the Holy Spirit. The dove signifies the anointing and empowerment of Christ.

John 19:17-18

John 19:17-18 (ESV)

17 and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.

Connection:

•Jesus carrying the cross (potentially cedarwood) to His crucifixion fulfills the symbolism of the cedarwood in Leviticus. The crucifixion is the ultimate act of cleansing and sacrifice, akin to the killing of the bird in the ritual.

John 19:28-30

John 19:28-30 (ESV)

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Connection:

•The use of the hyssop branch to give Jesus sour wine connects directly to its use in purification rituals. Jesus’ declaration of “It is finished” signifies the completion of the ultimate cleansing and redemption process.

The Crimson Worm (Coccus Ilicis)

The life cycle of the crimson worm (Coccus Ilicis or Kermes ilicis) provides a vivid metaphor for Christ’s sacrifice:

•Life Cycle: The female worm attaches herself to a tree, sacrifices her body to nourish her young, and leaves a red dye. This mirrors Christ’s crucifixion, His sacrificial death, and the birth of the Church.

•Symbolism: The red dye from the worm represents the stain of sin and the cleansing blood of Christ.

•Discovery: The life cycle of the crimson worm was not discovered until 1714, long after the writing of Leviticus. This discovery highlights the depth of God’s symbolism, embedding profound prophetic imagery that was not fully understood until millennia later.

Theological Implications

1.Christ’s Sacrifice: The killing of the bird symbolizes Christ’s sacrificial death. Just as the bird’s blood is necessary for cleansing, Christ’s blood is essential for the cleansing of sin.

2.Resurrection and New Life: The live bird being set free represents Christ’s resurrection and the new life available to believers. This freedom from sin and death is a core tenet of Christian faith.

3.Cedarwood and the Cross: The cedarwood symbolizes the cross on which Jesus was crucified. The durability and resistance to decay of cedarwood underscore the enduring and once-for-all nature of Christ’s sacrifice.

4.Scarlet Yarn and Blood: Scarlet yarn represents sin and the cleansing blood of Christ. The transformation from scarlet (sin) to white (purity) is a profound image of redemption.

5.Hyssop and Purification: Hyssop’s use in both the Levitical ritual and at the crucifixion emphasizes the theme of purification. David’s plea for cleansing with hyssop in Psalm 51 is fulfilled in the purification offered through Christ’s sacrifice.

6.Prophetic Symbolism: The crimson worm’s life cycle was unknown at the time of Leviticus, revealing God’s prophetic planning. The eventual discovery in 1714 underscores the depth and accuracy of biblical symbolism.

Conclusion

The ritual cleansing of the leper in Leviticus 14:4-7, believed to have been written around 1400 B.C., is rich with symbolism that points to Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. Through the elements of two birds, cedarwood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop, we see a prophetic foreshadowing of the redemptive work of Jesus. The connections in Psalms, Isaiah, and John illustrate the continuity and fulfillment of God’s plan for salvation, offering a profound understanding of the depth and significance of Christ’s atoning work. This in-depth study underscores the transformative power of Jesus’ sacrifice and the completeness of the purification He offers to all who believe. The discovery of the crimson worm’s life cycle in 1714 further emphasizes the divine orchestration in biblical prophecy, enhancing our appreciation for the intricate ways God has woven His plan of redemption throughout Scripture.