Two tourists went the same route. One did it in two hours, the other spent all day. They obviously did not see the same things, in spite of the fact that they were both "seeing the sights". To observe details you have to spend time on it, and you need even more time to savour them. Similarly, reading through verses that came from Above requires much more than a cursory glance. On the contrary, the seemingly simple things require much more rigorous examination to discover what they are saying beyond the obvious.
In this Parsha, like in other places, we find the Olah and the Chatas together. This Parsha makes it even more obvious, for even a poor Metzorah who cannot afford three sheep must still bring his Olah and Chatas from the same species. These two offerings complement each other, in this case one removing the tumah and allowing the Metzorah to relate to That Which Is completely beyond himself, and the other to actually make that connection. We see a similar pattern in the blood and oil on his ear, thumb and toe. First the blood that purifies him from the ill affects of his distance from Hashem, and the oil, the symbol of Wisdom (Chochmah), through which he achieves holiness.
If we look carefully, we can apply this concept in miniature form in our daily lives. When we try to correct the harm we did to someone, we must first correct the harm and ask for forgiveness, and only afterwards to work slowly on rebuilding the relationship. The level of remorse we express and the quality of the subsequent relationship will always interdependent.
Adapted from Rabbi Vali's book on Vayikra. Questions and subscriptions can be mailed to: the Yeshiva