Leviticus Chapter 11
We come to a new section of rules or laws that God established for the nation of Israel. This section includes laws of what was clean and unclean for eating. Those things that were unclean were forbidden. This was another way that God was setting Israel apart from all the other Gentile and pagan nations. There were probably many other reasons that God instituted these laws for His people and speculations have been made by many Bible scholars. One reason could have been to protect the health of the people. Many diseases were probably averted because of these dietary laws.
We also notice that many of the animals that were declared unclean were animals that other people-groups worshipped. Declaring these animals unclean helped keep the Israelites from slipping into pagan worship.
While we don’t know the reasons specifically that God made these laws, we know that God is sovereign, and He was doing what was best for His people. We also know from our study of scriptures that these laws were for a season.
Let's Reflect
1. In verses 1-8 what specific laws distinguished an unclean animal from an animal that was good for them for food?
2. They were allowed to eat all creatures in the water that had fins and scales but if the creature did not have fins and scales, they were not to eat it. Scripture also says they were to have what attitude about those unclean creatures?
3. Insects of course were included in the list of things that were unclean to eat. But you may be surprised to find there were a few insects that were acceptable to eat. What were they?
4. If a person even touched an animal or insect that was unclean what did that mean for them?
5. According to verse 39 what rules did they need to follow if they touched or carried the carcass of a dead animal?
6. In verse 29 God named some very specific animals that were unclean, “creep on the earth: the mole, the mouse, and the large lizard after its kind; the gecko, the monitor lizard, the sand reptile, the sand lizard, and the chameleon.” What was the law if one of these creatures got into their food?
7. The best reason and really the only reason that the people needed to hear as to why they must follow God’s laws is given in verses 44-45. What was God’s reason for the Israelites to follow these dietary laws?
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