The priest shall offer the burnt-offering— From the whole of the preceding account we learn what was the gift which our Saviour enjoined the leper, according to custom, to offer as a testimony to the priest, Matthew 8:4. For these gifts and various ceremonies were not only designed as testimonies to shew that the leper was perfectly cured, and men might therefore associate with him; but also, as being burdensome and chargeable, to make men cautious of contracting so loathsome a distemper. This burnt-offering, being in the nature of a present to God in gratitude for having worked the cure, was not to be offered till, by the other offerings for trespass and sin, the man had made public profession of his repentance, without which his gift could not find acceptance at God's altar.
REFLECTIONS.—When God has restored us again from sickness to visit his tabernacle, it becomes us to appear with our grateful acknowledgments for the mercy. The leper was before pronounced clean: now he is introduced as such to the door of the congregation, with his three lambs, a meat-offering, and log of oil. The trespass-offering is first killed, and the blood applied to the ear, thumb, and toe of the person; signifying now his being wholly clean, and typifying the application of the blood of atonement by Jesus, the great High-Priest, to the conscience by faith: then the oil is put upon it in token of his healing. The oil of Divine Grace ever accompanies the sprinkling of atoning blood. Hereupon his sin-offering is accepted for an atonement; and his burnt-offering is a sweet savour of thanksgiving, and now he is free among the people. Note; They whose sin is pardoned, and whose leprosy is cleansed, however they may have before been separated from the faithful, will now be received with joy into the bosom of the church, and of every true Israelite.