Read Leviticus 11
Highlights:
There is a "secret" found in today's passage. The one underlying, essential foundation to cleanse sin is revealed in today's Bible reading. God has specific Laws concerning clean and unclean animals, childbirth, and the dreadful leprosy (a type of sin). Consider them carefully.
These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth. Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat. . . . This is the law of the beasts . . . To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten (Lev. 11:2-3,46-47).
Rigid Commandments were given concerning which animals could be eaten and which ones could not. These Laws clearly separated the Israelites from all other nations and were intended to teach Israel that all authority rested in God.
All the regulations that controlled their daily activities were a reminder that there is a higher purpose in life than merely satisfying physical appetites. As Christians, surrounded by an evil world, we are aware of this higher purpose in life and should prayerfully choose between the evil and the good. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy Word (Ps. 119:9).
Only the food that was considered clean according to the divine Command was to be eaten by the Israelites. The animals that were acceptable for food were those that chewed their cud and had a divided hoof. These two features represent two characteristics of the Christian life. (1) The people of God must be separated from worldliness as a purchased possession (of Christ), unto the praise of His glory (Eph. 1:14). (2) In order for a Christian to remain clean, he should continue to meditate upon the Word of God (like "chewing the cud"). We must daily read and feed upon the Word of God, for Jesus said: Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you (John 15:3).
Peter's vision on the housetop of Joppa clearly confirms that Christians today are not regulated by these ceremonial Laws (Acts 10). However, they do teach the vital necessity of a clean mind and heart. Christ alone can bring the life changes described in these Scriptures.
As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (conduct) (1 Pet. 1:14-15).
Thought for Today:
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:5).
Christ Revealed:
Through the clean food of the believer (Lev. 11:1-47). Our Lord is the Bread of Life (John 6:35), supplies living water (4:10,14), and His Father's will was His meat (food, nourishment) (4:34).
Word Studies:
11:3 clovenfooted, split hoofed, 2 distinct hoofs; 11:35 ranges, cooking furnaces; 11:44 sanctify, dedicate to serve the Lord; 13:4 shut up, isolate, set apart; 13:5 be at a stay, has not changed; 13:10 quick, inflamed, ulcer forming; 13:43 rising, swelling; 13:45 rent, torn; 13:46 dwell, live; 13:55 fret inward, eaten away within, infected.
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for those who wrong you (Acts 7:59-60).
Optional Reading: Mark 8
Memory Verse for the Week: Ephesians 3:17
