Wellness
Read This Week: Leviticus 13
When anyone has a defiling skin disease, they must be brought to the priest. The priest is to examine them, and if there is a white swelling in the skin that has turned the hair white and if there is raw flesh in the swelling, it is a chronic skin disease, and the priest shall pronounce them unclean. He is not to isolate them, because they are already unclean. – Leviticus 13:9-11 NIV
Leviticus 13 often feels strange to modern readers with its instructions on diagnosing skin diseases, leprosy, and ritual impurity. Yet, beneath its context, this section shows a profound blend of divine care, community responsibility, and practical wisdom that resonates for us today. The detailed examination processes for leprosy, outlining symptoms, quarantines, and priestly discernment, reflect a system designed to protect the Israelite community from contagious diseases while striking a balance between compassion for those suffering from them. God’s involvement in these regulations reveals a theological truth: holiness extends to the physical body, and communal well-being is of great importance. The chapter’s emphasis on discernment, care for the vulnerable, and restoration offers valuable insights into navigating health, relationships, and spiritual life.
The priestly role here highlights the importance of discernment in community leadership. Priests were tasked with observing symptoms such as redness, swelling, or spreading lesions, and making informed judgments about uncleanness, often requiring a seven-day quarantine (v. 4-5). This wasn’t a bureaucratic system; it was a careful and thoughtful balance of protecting the camp from disease while avoiding the hasty exclusion of others. Today, this translates to the need for intelligent decision-making in our communities. Whether addressing physical health crises or relational conflicts, leaders must observe, reflect, and act with precision, resisting the urge to judge quickly or ostracize without evidence. The Bible challenges us to cultivate patience and wisdom, ensuring our actions don’t sacrifice individual dignity while pursuing collective safety.
Compassion is another thread that runs through this chapter. While being declared unclean carried social and spiritual weight, the process wasn’t meant to devalue people. The repeated examinations and potential for re-inclusion (v. 17) show an approach designed for restoration, not permanent exile. The afflicted were kept outside the camp (v. 46), but this was less about punishment and more about preserving the community’s health while holding space for healing. In our context, this speaks to how we treat those struggling, whether with illness, mental health, or moral failings. The Scriptures invite us to create boundaries that protect without abandoning, offering hope for reintegration and restoration. Practically, this might mean supporting a friend through addiction recovery or advocating for fair treatment of those with chronic illnesses, always prioritizing their status as an image bearer and a child of God.
The chapter also connects physical health to spiritual holiness, a concept that carries practical significance. God’s concern for skin diseases wasn’t just hygienic; it symbolized the broader call to purity in Israel’s covenant relationship (v. 2). uncleanness disrupted one’s ability to approach God’s presence, reflecting how sin or brokenness creates distance in our spiritual lives. Today, we may not ritualize impurity, but we can acknowledge how physical and emotional health affect our spiritual well-being. Neglecting self-care, whether through overwork, poor diet, or unaddressed trauma, can cloud our connection to God and others. God encourages holistic living: tending to our bodies and souls as acts of worship, knowing both are sacred.
Finally, Leviticus 13 reminds us of God’s sovereignty over the messiness of life. The priests didn’t heal; they assessed and trusted God’s timeline for restoration. This humility is a practical anchor for us. We can’t control every outcome, whether a loved one’s illness or a personal struggle, but we can steward our responsibilities faithfully. This week calls us to act diligently, love mercifully, and trust God’s redemptive work. In practice, this might involve praying through uncertainty, seeking medical advice alongside spiritual counsel, or supporting spiritual initiatives that promote health and wellness. By engaging with these principles, we find a roadmap for living wisely in a broken world, grounded in care, discernment, and hope.
In reading Leviticus 13, God wanted me to share this story. God is always doing something through every thing we go through. God is always taking care of His people. God is a God of restoration. In this chapter, God is protecting His people, from each other. It’s like whenever we go through sickness that is contagious, we need to isolate ourselves to not make others sick. For the last 3 years and 7 months, I have gone through a lot of isolation. Being on a walker, and not being able to drive, I have spent a lot of time at home, by myself. God has been teaching me a lot of things. During this time alone, it has been important for me to spend more time with Him, praising Him, and studying His word. God has really humbled me. I was so independent, always helping others, and not letting others to help me. I had to learn to ask for help. God has put incredible people around me to help me. The relationships I have made through this journey, are the biggest blessings that has come from this time of struggling. I have gotten closer to Him. He has helped me find a wonderful senior fitness class, that has helped me so much mentally and physically. He has provided me with rides, to get to the classes. What the enemy meant for evil, God has used it for good. I know that God is working on restoring me. Even though I am so tired from living in chronic pain, I have to trust in His timing. God is with me all through this journey, and I am never alone. In this time of isolation and restoration, I have to let Him use it for good. I must continue showing Him my gratitude for everything He has done for me.
Leviticus 13:
I see this chapter a Message of Love, Healing, and Protection
In Leviticus 13, we can see a powerful picture of God’s love, healing, and protection. At this point in their journey, the Israelites were camped at Mount Sinai, learning how to live as God’s chosen people—a holy nation set apart. These laws weren’t random; they were given to teach the people how to live differently from the world around them. What to do and what not to do
God was building a family, and He loved every one of them.
This chapter focuses on what was called leprosy, which could have included various skin conditions. God gave very detailed instructions—not to shame anyone—but to protect the community, to prevent the spread of sickness, and to give individuals a chance to rest, heal, and be restored.
It’s similar to how we respond today when someone has COVID. They stay home to recover, not because they’re rejected, but because healing takes time—and protecting others is an act of love. The same is true in this chapter: stepping back wasn’t rejection. It was restoration in progress.
Back then, the people didn’t go to a doctor like we do today. They went to the priest—not for a prescription, but for God’s wisdom. The priest would observe, guide, and re-examine them through the process God laid out instructions helping them walk toward restoration. Today we have doctors, but we still need God’s wisdom to know where to go and what to do. And we have Jesus—our High Priest—who gives us the wisdom, healing, and strength we need through the Holy Spirit.
The process in Leviticus 13 wasn’t about punishment. It was loving observation, with time for reflection, rest, and healing. God wasn’t rejecting the wounded—He was protecting them, and lovingly caring for all of His people.
There’s a powerful truth here: greater responsibility means caring not only for our own health, but for the well-being of others. When we’ve been through something difficult—physically or emotionally—we’re in a special place to help others going through the same. Maybe it’s dropping off a meal, sending a card, calling to pray, or even sending a DoorDash gift. Think back to what comforted you when you were sick or isolated—and go be that blessing for someone else.
And while you’re home recovering, ask the Lord, “What do You want to show me during this time?” Turn on worship music. Talk to Him—He’s your Father and Friend. Write in your journal. He loves hearing from you. And when you’re feeling better, your story can bring hope and healing to someone else.
The person in Leviticus 13 wasn’t sinful—they were sick. They didn’t need forgiveness—they needed healing. May we carry that same heart today: to look with compassion, to speak with kindness, and to love with action.
Father God,
thank You for every chapter we walk through in Your Bible!
Each one reveals more of Your love, Your care, and Your heart for restoration. Thank You for showing us that even in the hardest moments, You are near
watching over us, teaching us, and healing us.
Help us today to walk with hearts that listen for Your prompting. If someone around us needs a word of encouragement, a prayer, or even a warm meal, let us be ready. Remind us that when we step out in love, it’s not just us
it’s You blessing them through us. May our lives reflect Your compassion, and may others come to know Your goodness through the simple acts we offer in Your name.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thank you Father that we get too!
Love you ❤️
Have you ever been in a situation where you didn’t feel well, but you didn’t know what it was?
You weren’t sure if it was something minor, something contagious, or something serious? What do you do?
Do you Google it? Do you isolate? Do you call a doctor? Do you push through it?
I think we’ve all been there—especially after what we’ve been through globally in recent years.
Sometimes the best thing we can do isn’t to react out of fear or pride, but to pause and say,
“Let me get the right voice on this. Let me use wisdom. Let me take a moment and rest, reflect, and reevaluate.”
In Leviticus 13, we find a model—not of fear—but of disciplined discernment. The priests were told to wait, observe, and then act.
Sometimes they’d isolate the person. Sometimes they’d bring them back. But they were never careless. They weren’t harsh—but they were wise.
That’s what this message is about. Using wisdom, rest, and the right guidance in moments of uncertainty.
1. Wisdom Means Not Every Symptom Is a Crisis
In the chapter, the priest was instructed to watch and wait. Just because a spot showed up didn’t mean it was dangerous. They didn’t panic. They observed.
Wisdom today looks like staying calm. Get the facts. Don’t overreact. Don’t self-diagnose everything with fear or worst-case thinking. Take time. Ask God. Ask someone who has insight.
2. Sometimes Separation Is Protection, Not Rejection
The person who was quarantined wasn’t being punished—they were being protected. And they were protecting others.
Sometimes you need space—from pressure, from noise, from opinions—so healing can begin. That isn’t weakness. That’s wisdom.
In our culture, we often associate isolation with failure. But sometimes, it’s the path back to wholeness.
3. Get the Right Voice Involved
The person with a skin issue couldn’t declare themselves clean or unclean. They needed someone appointed to help discern.
In the same way, when we face uncertainty, we need voices we can trust. Mentors. Elders. Pastors. Counselors. Doctors. Don’t walk through unknown territory alone.
Getting the right diagnosis—from the right source—can be the difference between restoration and prolonged damage.
PODCAST
This Week in the Life: Leviticus 13
For the best experience, we suggest you listen to the first song, the message, and then the second song.
1. Sunday Worship – First Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/20250713-Worship1.wav
2. Sunday Message: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/20250713-Message.wav
3. Sunday Worship – Second Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/20250713-Worship2.wav
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Leviticus chapter 13::9
When the disease of leprosy is in a man, he shall be brought to the priest;
Leviticus chapter 13: 10
And the priest shall examine him, and if there is a white swelling in the skin and the hair on it has turned white and there is quick raw flesh in the swelling,
Leviticus chapter 13 :11
It is a chronic leprosy in the skin of his body, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean; he shall not bind the spot up, for he is unclean.
~Health And Spiritual Holiness~
God Is Saying To Me:
My child, I desire to dwell with you in all things. I want you to understand that being in My presence requires that you do your part in restoring your relationships, concerning your health and your spiritual life.
What This Means To Me:
1. It’s important to discern decision making by cultivating patience and wisdom without harming the dignity of others.
2. We must create boundaries in our life and community so that no one feels left out and offer. Hope that helps. Build restoration.
3. God wants us to take care of our bodies and our soul. Both are sacred because we are God’s Temple.
4. Father God calls us to always act diligently, love everyone and trust Him by being humble and faithful to His work. In doing so, we navigate life in a sinful world with stability in caring, discernment and hope for a brighter future.
This week in Leviticus chapter 13 I got a song
Seeking
Let’s come together to worship our Lord let’s come together to worship our Lord coming together to spread his word. We all go through life with trials and storms. It’s about seeking our Lord, seeking our Lord through all things our Lord will help guide us through if we need extra help, he will send us to our pastors who will help us. Our Lord has helpers who will help guide us teach us and lead us through. We are so blessed we live in the community of our Lord, those who trust and believe in our Lord showing love helping each other through Amen
Our Lord is about love, peace, joy, comfort when we’re in his spirit We get the blessings Also we are blessed because we have pastors Who help when we need them. Thank you, God.