This is not the only place in scripture where leprosy is given to man as a judgment against sin and rebellion. Within the book of Second Kings, Elisha’s servant Gehazi, after witnessing Elisha not only pronounce a means for Naaman to be healed of his leprosy, also witnesses Elisha tell Naaman that he did not owe anything for the healing that God provides (this is a representation of the freeness of the gift of salvation offered to all mankind by the Lord Jesus Christ). The servant, Gehazi, raced to catch up with Naaman and while out of earshot of Elisha, asks for treasures and garments for himself. When he returns to Elisha’s dwelling, the Bible records the confrontation: But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither. And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow (II Kings 5:25-27). The lessons are clear; when we know God’s will and substitute it for our own and do what we want, we stand guilty before a Holy God.
Snow as a picture of God’s perfect grace and mercy
After it has snowed for a while, a thick blanket covers the ground. All the fallen leaves, trash, and other imperfections are hidden under that snowy blanket and not to be seen again until the snow melts. While it’s fresh on the ground, it is the perfect picture of God’s grace. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool (Isaiah 1:18) is the invitation God has extended to all people. David, the author of Psalms, wrote, Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow (Psalms 51:7). He had experienced the complete and total forgiveness and salvation that only God can give. He had experienced what the prophet Isaiah would later write, I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified (Isaiah 43:25-26). In fact, God has always desired the redemption of all people, Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear (Isaiah 59:1). Regardless of what anyone has done, God has ample grace to save anyone that will call upon His name.
Snow used to describe the raiment of our Lord and King
There are times that after reading the Bible, I try to imagine what Heaven looks like and how we will see the Lord Jesus Christ. Daniel tried to describe what he had been allowed to see: I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire (Daniel 7:9). On a snow-covered afternoon, as the sun begins to shine, it seems brighter than we are accustomed to. Imagine God’s robes, so pure and never tarnished or dirtied by the fleshly sins of this world! How spectacular they would appear to Daniel, a common man of flesh and bone as we are! Not only is the raiment of the Lord our God bright and white as snow, but so are the robes of his angels! The disciples were able to see this – the Lord Jesus Christ – in His robes of white: And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus (Mark 9:2-4).
John, the apostle and author of the book of Revelation, was given an opportunity to see the Lord similar to what Daniel was able to see: Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire (Revelation 1:11-14). What a sight we will behold! We shall see Him, the King of kings and the Lord of lords as they saw Him! We will see Him in his robes of purest white!
Imagine the splendor of what Mary Magdalene and Mary saw that morning: In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you (Matthew 28:1-7). Not only is the raiment of the Lord our God bright and white as snow, but so are the robes of his angels!
John also describes the marriage supper of the Lamb, And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints… And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean (Revelation 19:6-8 & 11-14). To think that one day, a sinner like me will wear a robe of pure white! As unworthy as I am of His grace and love, as much as I fight with my sinful fleshly nature, He will put me and the countless other children of God in a robe of white of our own!
