After the cleansing of sin, restoration is essential. The process described in Leviticus 14, given by the LORD to Moses (Lev 14:1), is not for healing but for restoring the healed person to fellowship and worship. This teaches us that after the Lord’s chastening, we must not neglect the restoration of the sinner. God is quick to restore the sinner, and we must be quick to restore others too.

1. Restoration in the Treatment (Lev 14:2-9)

The priest goes forth “out of the camp” (Lev 14:3) to seek the leper. This indicates God’s love for the sinner. The priest examines the leper, and if he is healed, ceremonial cleansing begins. After the process described in Leviticus 14:4-9, the leper “shall be clean” (Lev 14:9). The seriousness of uncleanness is impressed upon him, reminding him of the misery from which he had been delivered. When a brother repents, we must restore him fully and not leave him under the devil’s influence of guilt.

2. Consecration in the Treatment (Lev 14:10-20)

After cleansing, the person has the privilege of worship again. Leviticus 14:10-20 describes the trespass offering, the wave offering, the sin offering and the burnt offering. These sacrifices are made in worship in God’s presence.

This resembles the consecration of the priests in Leviticus 8, and signifies that the person’s whole life is now set apart unto the Lord in holiness. With the restoration to worship comes the call to live a consecrated life, not returning to his former sins. After restoration, he must walk rightly. We do not have to wait for a special occasion to consecrate ourselves anew. We must do so immediately upon being restored.

3. Provision in the Treatment (Lev 14:21-32)

If the person is poor and cannot afford to bring the three lambs (Lev 14:10), he may bring instead one lamb and two turtledoves or young pigeons (Lev 14:21-22). The steps of cleansing and consecration remain the same. This shows the Lord’s gracious and wonderful provision. Thus, no man can say he cannot return to the Lord in worship because he lacks. The fruits of repentance are not the means of forgiveness. Forgiveness is provided freely through the blood of Christ. The provision is in the Lord alone. Do not delay in returning to the Lord.

Restoration is needful. We must bring the forgiven ones back into our fellowship, even as the Lord hath brought us in.