People often misunderstand this passage to be a ritual for healing from leprosy, but verse 3 states, "and the priest shall go out of the camp, and the priest shall look. Then, if the case of leprous disease is healed in the leprous person, the priest shall command them...." So the cedarwood, hyssop, scarlet thread, the sacrifice, and the two birds, one dipped in the blood of the other and set free -- all of this was not for healing but for purification so the individual might once again be able to participate in fellowship within the sanctuary.
The symbolism looks forward to Jesus' ultimate cleansing of those who believe. The bird put to death represents Christ's death on the cross for our sins, and the bird dipped in that blood and released represents His resurrection and ascension into heaven where He continues to intercede on our behalf.
When we are saved, Jesus declares us to be free of sin, just as the priest declared the leper free of leprosy. The elaborate purification process may represent our on-going sanctification. Though our salvation is secured by the finished work of Christ, in gratitude and understanding of our nature, we continue to identify and root out every vestige of sin that remains through the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
The symbolism looks forward to Jesus' ultimate cleansing of those who believe. The bird put to death represents Christ's death on the cross for our sins, and the bird dipped in that blood and released represents His resurrection and ascension into heaven where He continues to intercede on our behalf.
When we are saved, Jesus declares us to be free of sin, just as the priest declared the leper free of leprosy. The elaborate purification process may represent our on-going sanctification. Though our salvation is secured by the finished work of Christ, in gratitude and understanding of our nature, we continue to identify and root out every vestige of sin that remains through the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
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