Parashah Metzora Comments (April 5, 2014)
God is life—the Creator of life. He is pure and holy, meaning He is separate and unique. He will not allow His Presence to be defiled by anything that does not reflect His holiness. Sin is a disease that leads to death. In Eden the serpent blended truth with a lie: Chava (Eve) did not die at the moment she ate, yet disobedience “infected” humanity with pain, suffering, and eventual death. Uncleanness breeds disease and ends the same way.
What is tzara’at?
This week’s parashah is called Metzora, describing a person afflicted with tzara’at. Many English Bibles render this as “leprosy,” or “a serious skin disease,” but Hansen’s disease is not identical with tzara’at. In Jewish understanding, tzara’at signals divine judgment—an outward sign of inner spiritual dysfunction. The metzora was separated from the camp for introspection and repentance, with the hope of restoration to God and community. As we strive for holiness—“Be holy, for I am holy”—we experience deeper intimacy with HaShem.
Torah, Tradition, and Messiah
We learn from the Torah, and we may also benefit from Jewish tradition—while not elevating it to the level of Scripture. Much in rabbinic commentary (Oral Torah, the Talmud) explores Messianic hope. While the Tanakh hints broadly, Jewish tradition speaks explicitly about Messiah, often in two roles: Messiah ben Yosef (the suffering one) and Messiah ben David (the conquering king).
Messiah ben Yosef—The Suffering Servant
Like Joseph—despised, sold, and yet the agent of salvation—Messiah ben Yosef bears our griefs to bring healing.
In fact, it was our diseases he bore, our pains from which he suffered; yet we regarded him as punished, stricken and afflicted by God. But he was wounded because of our crimes, crushed because of our sins; the disciplining that makes us whole fell on him, and by his bruises we are healed.
Rejoice, daughter of Tzion! Look—your king comes to you; righteous and victorious, yet humble, riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Rabbinic voices even speak of a “Leper Messiah,” the scholar among the metzorot who bears our sorrows (Sanhedrin 98a–b). See the discussion at Hebrew4Christians.
Teshuvah: God’s Cure Prepared Before the Plague
Jewish tradition teaches that teshuvah (repentance) was created at twilight before the first Shabbat, a remedy prepared in advance. God ties forgiveness, healing, and redemption together.
Bless the Lord, O my soul… who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.
And He provided the ultimate cure in His Word.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Because He is holy, God made a way to cleanse us: the Father sent the Son, Yeshua, to exchange our sinfulness for His righteousness. Through the Son’s obedient sacrifice, our relationship with the Father is restored.
Yeshua Cleanses the Metzorot
It is no accident that Yeshua’s ministry repeatedly cleansed metzorot and restored the unclean.
“…go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is near,’ heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those afflicted with tzara’at, expel demons.”
Moses prefigures Messiah, yet Yeshua surpasses Moses.
Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself.
Consider the woman with the issue of blood who touched the fringe of His garment, trusting for cleansing.
“…‘Daughter,’ he said to her, ‘your trust has healed you. Go in peace, and be healed of your disease.’”
For twelve years she was barred from the Temple by the laws of niddah, yet one moment of faith in Messiah made her clean. He is the cure for our disease.
Messiah ben David—The Coming King
Scripture also pictures the royal, conquering Messiah.
One like a Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven… brought before the Ancient of Days.
The scepter shall not depart from Judah… until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the peoples.
Believers know Messiah ben Yosef has come, and we await His return as Messiah ben David. He redeemed us to gather a people for Himself and will complete the work at His coming.
“Behold, the Lord comes with tens of thousands of His saints, to execute judgment…”
Turn and Be Healed
If you bear tzara’at in your soul, God has already provided the cure. Tradition says the sinner imagines God has turned His back; but when the sinner turns in teshuvah, he finds God’s face turned toward him all along. The Physician offers the medicine—will we take it?
For further reflection on rest and salvation, see haRold Smith’s essays at HeThatHasAnEar.com.
Prayer
Father in Heaven, thank You for sending Your Son, Yeshua ben Yosef, to lead us out of isolation and cleanse our tzara’at. Thank You in advance for His return as Yeshua ben David to redeem the whole world and restore the intimacy You intended from the beginning. Amen.
