Leperous Within

As at last the difference between clean and unclean now that we've learned, let's figure out what some of these other disorders could possibly be. In ancient times, they had something called leprosy back when the Mosaic law was actually given. In fact, leprosy is known to have a number of forms. Most people associate leprosy with a white scaly patch of skin that stays around for weeks and quite possibly even for years. It's associated with numbness and loss of sensation there in the skin. Along with it may even come physical deformations like the loss of fingers and toes or maybe even a limb. I know some of you that have visited modern medical clinics are doubtless about to call out the names of a couple different diseases.

If the symptoms sound like they fit, that's because indeed they possibly might. That's leprosy though as we know it today, in it's most advanced form. To treat it, since it is such late stage at this point, modern medicine suggests a combination of a couple different drugs. These are known to treat another form of the plague known as tuberculosis to those of our times. These drugs come along with a number of side effects on all of the different types of the systems. Some of these of course, are more serious than others. Because leprosy is known to have a number of forms, let's talk about the ins and outs of it really quick. It'll doubtless save us more than quite a few trips back to the priest. Instead, we'll refer to them by a tag number of cases. Once we're done, we'll put them together as the theory of everything fits it all back in. Really though, this is what we're looking at what's known as clean and unclean for if not to tell where it comes from and how it came to be into you. Don't feel too bad.

These things can come from as simple as another human sort of a touch. You know, the animals can carry it too, or at least some of them certainly do. The stuff also that has been around an infected person certainly carries the hint of the virus. Even in death, until such a time as Shiloh be come of the Lord, is a person not entirely free. That's because leprosy as a viral sort of a disease, spreads and grows as it feasts upon more than the skin. With skin involvement too comes a whole host of things that wish nothing more than to fester and grow. That's where all those other organisms come in that we know of today. I'm willing to bet the theory of everything explains these other skin disorders just fine. Back to the leprosy though that's unchecked as it spreads to the organs within. That's why leprosy is often known as the master of disguises of all different sorts. It seems modern medicine is hardly prepared for such an enemy as this.

Since leprosy at first appears to have broken out on the skin, that's where at first we'll begin. You know though, to avoid certain sorts of contact, a person back in that day had to keep their distance from everyone else. If the priest had shut them up and they had no healing brought forth from the Lord, these were to be in sight and in nature unclean. As such, these people were often driven forth from their homes out into the world. There, larger colonies known as lepers, were formed. To keep everyone else safely away, all that had to be shouted out was the nature and status of the disease. Just think, everywhere you would go having to tell all who would listen that you were quite possibly unclean. Those listening too had to provide some sort of food or help where they could.

Since the lepers couldn't be around anyone for fear of the spread, these had to quite often go without work. Certainly lacking a job meant that the food was almost impossible to find. That's why these relied on the help and support of their local community. I'm sure the priests also bore a certain duty to care for these too. After discussing life in the lepers colony, we'll see what a difference a few choice antibiotics certainly make. By that I don't mean, taking something meant for the lungs. You ought to match a surface disease with something meant for the skin but of course. That ought to keep in check most everything else. Sure, after studying this, I'd conclude that modern medicine sure has gotten it twisted and the older practices of isolation and fear certainly didn't help too very much. The only thing that's changed is our knowledge and treatment of this as at first. Given a few days rest and a very understanding physician, I see no reason why normal life can't be resumed.

Case 1

When 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:

3 And 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.

Leviticus 13:2-3

Symptoms: raised scab, bright spot, spot-like inflammation of the skin with something to be found underneath, full-thickness skin involvement, hair-like pinpoint in growths

Differential

If the bright spot be white in the skin of his flesh, and in sight be not deeper than the skin, and the hair thereof be not turned white; then the priest shall shut up him that hath the plague seven days:

5 And the priest shall look on him the seventh day: and, behold, if the plague in his sight be at a stay, and the plague spread not in the skin; then the priest shall shut him up seven days more:

6 And the priest shall look on him again the seventh day: and, behold, if the plague be somewhat dark, and the plague spread not in the skin, the priest shall pronounce him clean: it is but a scab: and he shall wash his clothes, and be clean.

Leviticus 13:4-6

Symptoms: red or white spots in the skin that are only surface deep without any full-thickness involvement, without spread, have not white hairs growing out from the base, heals in a matter of weeks

Diagnosis: this is not leprosy but rather a scab. Scabs heal and fall off as new skin slowly ends up taking their place. These can also cover open areas or cuts in the skin.

Case 2

7 But if the scab spread much abroad in the skin, after that he hath been seen of the priest for his cleansing, he shall be seen of the priest again.

8 And if the priest see that, behold, the scab spreadeth in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a leprosy.

Leviticus 13:7-8

Symptoms: widespread rash or scab that covers much of the skin

Case 3

9 When the plague of leprosy is in a man, then he shall be brought unto the priest;

10 And the priest shall see him: and, behold, if the rising be white in the skin, and it have turned the hair white, and there be quick raw flesh in the rising;

11 It is an old leprosy in the skin of his flesh, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean, and shall not shut him up: for he is unclean.

Leviticus 13:9-11

Symptoms: white raised patches of skin, red patches of skin, open areas, white hair of the skin

Differential

12 And if a leprosy break out abroad in the skin, and the leprosy cover all the skin of him that hath the plague from his head even to his foot, wheresoever the priest looketh;

13 Then the priest shall consider: and, behold, if the leprosy have covered all his flesh, he shall pronounce him clean that hath the plague: it is all turned white: he is clean.

Leviticus 13:12-13

Symptoms: widespread rash from head to toe with total skin involvement, there is nothing but white skin there to be seen

Diagnosis: still leprosy just without any obvious skin involvement. The illness might be hiding somewhere deep down inside. It still could break out again later or just lay still for now. The only issue though is that when the disease isn't found, it can come out as all sorts of anythIng else.

Case 4

14 But when raw flesh appeareth in him, he shall be unclean.

15 And the priest shall see the raw flesh, and pronounce him to be unclean: for the raw flesh is unclean: it is a leprosy.

Leviticus 13:14-15

Symptoms: redness and raw open areas not due to any other injury or discernable cause

Differential

16 Or if the raw flesh turn again, and be changed unto white, he shall come unto the priest;

17 And the priest shall see him: and, behold, if the plague be turned into white; then the priest shall pronounce him clean that hath the plague: he is clean.

Leviticus 13:16-17

Symptoms: redness and open areas of skin not due to another cause that since have resolved

Diagnosis: if these turn back into skin of a solid, uniform color once again, the person is said to be fine. The person still carries the disease of course deep underneath which can break out now in every way possible