Tag: Leviticus 11-15
Connecting to God’s diet for health!
Scripture Reading for February 5th: Leviticus 11-15
God was concerned about the health and holiness of His people and gave dietary laws to keep them from sickness and disease. ( Leviticus 11:44-45) What we eat affects our health and our ability to glorify God. God knew which animals could carry disease and cause sickness and He understood germs and parasites when man was unaware. Eating vultures, owls, osprey’s, bats, or hawks would be dangerous because they fed on carrion–dead animals. (Leviticus 11:13-19) God’s people were also not to eat any animal with the blood in it and the carrion was filled with blood and various germs and parasites!
The Israelites were not to eat the pig, either. (Leviticus 11:7-8) This prohibition was because the pig was also a scavenger, eating anything available. God did not want His people to be defiled or made sick by the meat. Because He knows everything and we can count on His wisdom.
Jesus declared all foods clean. (Acts 10:10-16) In a vision, Peter saw a sheet with all kinds of “unclean” animals on it. God told Peter to eat! When he protested like a good Hebrew, God told him a second time not to call anything impure that He had made clean. The Apostle Paul also taught this truth in 1 Timothy 4:4-5. All food is to be eaten with thanksgiving and prayer.
We need to use wisdom in this matter, though. If the Lord shows you that a certain food is not good for you to eat, don’t eat it! Anything not done out of faith is sin. (Romans 14:23) We must also be mindful not to cause anyone else to stumble. The law of love is our first test. Can I eat what I want to eat and do it to the glory of God? Will it be good for me? Will I cause anyone else to stumble? (Romans 14:19-21)
In conclusion, when you set down to a meal of ham and shrimp, be sure to pray! God’s blessing and sanctification are always to be sought! And be sure to eat with thanksgiving and in faith! If you can’t, that food might not be a healthy choice for you!
Grasshoppers for lunch?
Scripture Reading for February 5: Leviticus 11-15
I remember a missionary from Africa once bringing chocolate coated grasshoppers to a service and offering them to
whoever was brave enough to eat them. I tried one! It was nice and crunchy and the chocolate took away most of the taste! Without the chocolate, I am sure it was low in fat and sugar! In our reading today, grasshoppers are on the list of “clean” animals that were allowed as food. (Leviticus 11:21-22)
Why all the rules about “clean” and “unclean” animals? In fact, the word “unclean” is used over 1oo times in today’s reading. God is holy and wants His people to be holy too. (Leviticus 11:44-45) What we eat affects our health and our ability to glorify God with our body. God knows which animals could carry disease and cause sickness. If you look at the list, some are obvious. Eating vultures, owls, osprey’s, bats, or hawks would be dangerous because they feed on carrion–dead animals. (Leviticus 11:13-19) God’s people were also not to eat any animal with the blood in it.
In this same passage, we are not to eat the pig, either. (Leviticus 11:7-8) This prohibition is because the pig was also a scavenger, eating anything available. God did not want His people to be defiled or made sick by the meat. It might have worms or bring infection.
However, Jesus declared all foods clean. (Acts 10:10-16) In a vision, Peter saw a sheet with all kinds of “unclean” animals on it. God told Peter to eat! When he protested, God told him a second time not to call anything impure that He had made clean. The Apostle Paul also taught this truth in 1 Timothy 4:4-5, declaring all food was to be eaten with thanksgiving and prayer.
We need to use wisdom in this matter, though. We must do all that we do out of faith. If the Lord shows you that for you a certain food is not to be eaten, don’t eat it! Anything not done out of faith is sin. (Romans 14:23) We must also be mindful not to cause anyone else to stumble.
In conclusion, when you set down to a meal of grasshoppers, be sure to pray! God’s blessing and sanctification are a life and death matter! And be sure to eat with thanksgiving and in faith! If you can’t do that, grasshoppers might not be a healthy choice for you! Amen!
A Holy Lifestyle for God’s People
Scripture reading for February 5th: Leviticus 11-15
Is what we eat really of concern to the Creator? Is a skin rash or mildew on clothing really a big deal to God? Is it really appropriate for God to talk about our bodily discharges? Isn’t God getting a little too personal talking about childbirth and a woman’s periods? These chapters of Leviticus cover some very personal topics and specific conduct that was given to the Israelites by God for their good and protection. They are really evidence of God’s love and care and His very personal understanding of our bodies and health!
Holiness starts with a good diet! If we are to have healthy bodies, we must watch what we eat. Some animals have the potential to spread disease and create problems for us. God directed His people as to which animals could be eaten and which were unhealthy for them. (Leviticus 11:1-43) “I am the Lord you God; consecrate yourselves and be holy because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves about on the ground. (Leviticus 11:44)
Holy offspring must come from pure sexual relations. A woman’s period makes her unclean and she should not have sexual relationships for a prescribed time after her period or the birth of a child. God was looking out for the health and well-being of His children and their parents. Burnt offerings and sin offerings were required for cleansing before sexual contact was allowed. (Leviticus 12:1-8)
Skin rashes indicated an infection in the body that might cause disease or spread to others. Love dictated that people with rashes be quarantined until the infection was cleared up. God was concerned for infections and even mildew that could make His people unclean and ill! (Leviticus 13:1-8) (Leviticus 13:47-59)
Men with discharges were unclean. An emission of semen caused a man to be unclean until evening and after a bath. (Leviticus 15:16) Sexual intercourse with an emission of semen caused both the man and woman to be unclean. (Leviticus 15:18) These rules were all to help God’s people to be holy and separated from the ways of the world. God was concerned for the people’s health and welfare. His love and intimate knowledge of what was best and most healthy for them caused Him to write these rules! What an interesting God we serve!
Grasshoppers for lunch, anyone?
Scripture Reading for February 5: Leviticus 11-15
I remember a missionary from Africa once bringing chocolate coated grasshoppers to a service and offering them to Read more