Leviticus 11:1-12:8 + Mark 5:21-43 + Psalm 38:1-22 + Proverbs 10:8-9
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Old Testament – Today in Leviticus chapter 11 we read about ceremonially clean and unclean animals for the Israelites. The One Year Bible Companion commentary on this chapter today states that “there were several reasons for this restricted diet – 1. to ensure the health of the nation. The forbidden foods were usually scavenging animals that fed on dead animals; thus disease could be transmitted through them. 2. to visibly distinguish Israel from other nations. The pig, for example, was a common sacrifice of pagan religions. 3. To avoid objectionable associations. The creatures that move about on the ground, for example, were reminiscent of serpents, which often symbolized sin.”
Verses 20-22 mention of eating locusts reminded me of John the Baptist: “You are to consider detestable all swarming insects that walk along the ground. However, there are some exceptions that you may eat. These include insects that jump with their hind legs: locusts of all varieties, crickets, bald locusts, and grasshoppers. All these may be eaten.” Commentary at bible.org on “The Clean & the Unclean” from Leviticus chapter 11 is at this link, and from chapter 12 is at this link. And yes, in theory, this is a grasshopper in the image below. It’s clean! 🙂
Today in chapter 11 verse 44 we read: “After all, I, the LORD, am your God. You must be holy because I am holy.” How does this verse speak to you? Do you think about being holy? Do you want to be holy? Zondervan shares the following commentary on this verse – “Holiness is the key theme of Leviticus, ringing like a refrain in various forms throughout the book. The word “holy” appears more often in Leviticus than in any other book of the Bible. Israel was to be totally consecrated to God. Her holiness was to be expressed in every aspect of her life, to the extent that all of life had a certain ceremonial quality. Because of who God is and what he has done, his people must dedicate themselves fully to him.” Check out Peter quoting from this Leviticus verse in 1 Peter 1 verses 13-16 – “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”” How do these verses speak to you? Do you think about being holy? Do you want to be holy?
New Testament – The structure of today’s readings in Mark chapter 5 are amazing! The narrative starts with Jairus asking Jesus to heal his daughter who is about to die – but, then, in the middle of the narrative Jesus’ journey is stopped by a woman who simply wants to touch Jesus’ robe so that she will be healed from a 12-year suffering. And verse 34 in this portion is just so beautiful as Jesus says to the now healed woman: “”Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. You have been healed.””
Then, the narrative cuts back to Jairus, but it sounds like it’s too late for Jesus to come to the house. Messengers report that the little girl has died. Jesus simply tells Jairus in verse 36 – “Just trust me.” (which is something so powerful that I believe Jesus says to you and me today too – “Just trust me.” Don’t worry about anything else in this passing life. “Just trust me.”) And then in verses 40 & 41 we read: “Then he took the girl’s father and mother and his three disciples into the room where the girl was lying. Holding her hand, he said to her, “Get up, little girl!”
Commentary from Bob Deffinbaugh at bible.org on today’s readings in Mark chapter 5 entitled “Where there is Death there is Hope” is at this link.
Psalms – Psalm 38 is powerful. Verses 4 & 5 speak so much to our human condition – “My guilt overwhelms me–it is a burden too heavy to bear. My wounds fester and stink because of my foolish sins.” Does this verse speak to you in any way, shape or form? If so, please consider then verse 18 – “But I confess my sins; I am deeply sorry for what I have done.” Will you confess your sins to God today? Will you admit that you are truly sorry for your sins? Will you pray for healing from your sins? Will you make confession of your sins to God a regular practice?
Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 10 verse 8 is a good reminder to consider how much and how often and how meaningful our words are when we speak: “The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.”
Worship Video: Based on our Leviticus readings today about holiness, here’s an amazing live worship performance by Chris Tomlin of the song “Holy is the Lord.” Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jbSNwvMDz8
Do you often cry “Holy?” Click here for Holiness!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “For I, the Lord, am the one who brought you up from the land of Egypt, that I might be your God. Therefore, you must be holy because I am holy.” Leviticus 11:45 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray for holiness in your life.
Comments from you & Question of the Day: Related to this Proverb above, I read an article recently about how “small talk” is getting more prevalent in our world today. And as a society we are speaking less often about sincere or meaningful matters. Instead we prefer to talk a lot about the weather or sports or celebrities. It does make me wonder – is some of this small talk just babbling? I don’t know. I guess I just pray that when we speak we will speak sincerely in truth and love. And not just talk to hear ourselves talk. Do you think that some of our small talk is simply babbling? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
Love, Trust, and Obey Jesus,
Mike
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )
======= Ramona:
Holiness
What does “holiness” mean to me. Well, I know that it is not about sacrificing animals and doing prescribed rituals because if that was the ONLY thing needed then God would not have rebuked Israel through the prophets because in Isaiah’s day there were a lot of offerings and pretense of holiness (Isaiah 1) nor would David have written,
“Sacrifice and offering You do not desire, nor have You delight in them; You have given me the capacity to hear and obey [Your law, a more valuable service than] burnt offerings and sin offerings [which] You do not require,”(Psalm 40:6 Amp), nor would he have written in the 51st Psalm, “The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. A broken and repentant heart, O God, you will not despise.”
So we know that rituals and sacrifices are not the way of holiness. Holiness is where the Presence of God is not the clothes we wear nor the places we go. If the presence of God is not in a church, sanctuary, etc., or if the Holy Spirit is now dwelling in a body, then the place or person is not holy. We become holy based on our submission to God who is totally Holy.
Leviticus 11:1-12:8
God begins to separate out His people from the societies and cultures surrounding them, as well as from those who they will eventually root out of the “Promise Land,” by giving them Laws that deal with day to day living, not just worship. The animals they may or may not eat are categorized as clean and unclean. Practices, dealing with dead animals that have died by means other than slaughter, clean and unclean, the emission of blood because of childbirth all require purification and sin and burn offerings after childbirth, with a designation between male and female children.
I believe God has required these practices to keep Israel separate and distinct from the societies around them, so they will be considered “Peculiar” people. I confess this is something I struggle with all the time, wanting to fit in yet knowing that I have been called to be different.
1 Peter 2:
8 And the Scriptures also say,
“He is the stone that makes people stumble,
the rock that will make them fall.”
They stumble because they do not listen to God’s word or obey it, and so they meet the fate that has been planned for them.
9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God’s holy nation: His very own possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
10 “Once you were not a people;
now you are the people of God. Once you received none of God’s mercy;
now you have received his mercy.”
Although we are not required to keep an alter going to offer up burn, sin, guilt, peace and fellowship offerings, we are required to keep an alter fire going in our hearts. We are required to be living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, burning up everything that is not of Him.
The Hebrews’ were told,
44 After all, I, the LORD, am your God. You must be holy because I am holy. So do not defile yourselves by touching any of these animals that scurry along the ground. 45 I, the LORD, am the one who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God. You must therefore be holy because I am holy. (Lev 11 NLT)
Mark 5:21-43
Having been rejected by the townspeople who owned the “pigs” (If these were good “Jews,” what are they doing having an enterprise that raised pigs”? Just a question) Jesus heads back across the lake. Notice Jesus doesn’t go or stay where He is not wanted except for appearing in Jerusalem at the times appointed by God, which would fulfill His purpose. Jesus is immediately met by a large crowd and a synagogue leader named Jairus once He lands. As Jesus moves to go with Jairus to his house, a woman, who is not suppose to be there (see today’s Old Testament Reading) because she is bleeding and has been bleeding for twelve years. Her being in that crowd would cause everyone who has touched her to be ceremonially unclean.
[Leviticus 15
25 And if a woman has an issue of blood for many days, not during the time of her separation, or if she has a discharge beyond the time of her [regular] impurity, all the days of the issue of her uncleanness she shall be as in the days of her impurity; she shall be unclean.
26 Every bed on which she lies all the days of her discharge shall be as the bed of her impurity, and whatever she sits on shall be unclean, as in her impurity.
27 And whoever touches those things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until evening.]
We also see two people with immediate needs, death of a daughter and a sickness that has led to a woman’s poverty so she needs to be healed to become a viable member of the community again. While in the process of going to meet the needs of one, Jesus stops and questions the woman who has caused “power” to proceed from Him. In giving her story, I believe there were none too few people concerned that not only had she touched Jesus she had touched them, and what do you think the synagogue leader was thinking too himself? He may have been panicked. As they and the crowd proceed, the news comes that the daughter is dead; however, that doesn’t stop Jesus. Now we have a second situation were ceremonial uncleanness lives, in the dead girls house, yet Jesus doesn’t falter or waver. Kicking out the unbelievers (This is a point we may consider too take heed of when we are facing crises. Who are we hanging with and sharing our drama? We may need to kick some folks out), he brings her back to life.
I have heard it preached that the number twelve is the number for “God’s purpose,” that when we see twelve we should study closely what is going on. We have Jairus’ daughter, we have a woman who has been bleeding twelve years and we have Jesus, walking with His twelve disciples, three sets of twelve. Just a note to make us think: really, really think.
Psalm 38:1-22
Our bodies were not made to carry sin. Sin is weighty and brings sickness and death. Sin shut up in our bones may give the appearance of righteousness to the outside, but in the inside we are being slowly eaten away. I am thankful to David for laying out and opening his heart to future generations to show us clearly the destructiveness of sin. Our only recourse is to confess it.
I John 1
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
We need to make sure we complete the process of verse nine, hanging around to be cleansed from all unrighteousness.
Proverbs 10:8-9
Here again we are taught that the wise, to desire godly wisdom, makes one glad to be instructed. In order to learn one must want to be taught. You cannot teach anything to someone who is rebellious and who despises teaching and teachers. Parents must give their children a love of learning by example so that it becomes fun and not a chore.
We are also told in ninth verse that people of integrity will be firm and steady in their walk.
Don’t worry about your reputation. Maintain your integrity and your reputation will take care of itself. (A.R. Bernard)
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======= Joseph:
Greetings in Jesus’ Name,
My comments today is actually more of a question. Leviticus 11 about unclean food. I have heard people say that the Old Testament rules represent the old covenant because when Jesus came he brought the New covenant. How does that affect the area of unclean foods that we are so used to and eat today. For instance [THE PIG] many of the foods we eat today comes from the pig.
In His Presence
Joseph
======= Stef:
hi Joseph, read Acts 10 from verse 9 on..the vision of Peter….where God shows Peter the animals and speaks to him on clean and unclean.
Stef
======= Micah Girl:
I think it is very interesting that as Stef noted Peter is the one who had the vision of clean and unclean animals, and also that Peter is the one who refers to those very verses from Leviticus that Mike mentioned about being holy as God is holy. Peter not only received the vision to let go of the ceremonial law regarding unclean animals, but he clearly understood the principle of holiness that stood behind it.
Micah Girl
======= Sammy:
Even though all foods today are considered “clean” to the believer, it should be noted that this doesn’t mean that all foods are good for you. The Bible’s teaching on diet are still very detailed as to what is healthy and what is not; and, should be a guide as what to avoid. I feel that this can be done without being fanatical to either extreme.
Sammy
======= Luch:
These verses in Leviticus are another reason to make sure we always let Jesus have the ‘last word’ on all these matters. I think the ‘big idea’ of Leviticus 11 is contained in verses 46-47 where it says “so you can distinguish between what is unclean and may not be eaten and what is clean and may be eaten.” Is the idea that if we want to live lives that are pleasing to God, the people had to exercise discernment between various options? The priests according to Ezekiel 44:23 were to teach people God’s will. “They will teach my people the difference between what is holy and what is common, what is ceremonially clean and unclean.”
Aren’t we glad that many of these dietary laws were temporary but the principle is permanent: Jesus’ followers today must have discernment and avoid what is unclean. Just check out Mark 7:14-23; Acts 10:9-18; 1 Tim 4:1-5 for examples of how the dietary laws were temporary. Thank God for that.
I believe the New Testament book of Hebrews which is the best commentary on Leviticus says, “Solid food is for those who are mature, who have trained themselves to recognize the difference between what right and wrong and then do what is right.” Heb 5:14 I like this passage because it gives us the freedom to be wise, and to be discerning, and not just accept what everyone else tells us is right or wrong from their perspective. In short, it gives us what Elizabeth Elliot calls ‘the liberty of obedience’ which means the ability to discern. Righteousness always comes from choosing not by having someone impose their view of what is ‘clean and unclean.’
Luch
======= Richard:
Mike. I think that your observation of our culture being one of “small talk” is interesting. Too often we are reduced to quick versions or snippets of conversations with those we come in contact with. Our culture is being “re-tooled” into this new way of thinking. Emails are short burst of though that lengthy letters once provided. (I think Paul would have been lost today!) Take a look at our news programs these days. All those crawlers drive me crazy. Have you heard a popular radio talk show lately? They are always in such a hurry to cut to commercial. “Bob from Ohio. In just 20 seconds….tell us what’s on your mind.” Next time you go to a movie notice how long each scene “take” is. You are doing well if you get 4 seconds. This “text messaging world” that we live in is having a profound affect on us. Is it any wonder that marriages fail and families gravitate away from eachother?
Richard
======= Lora:
I appreciate the verses in today’s psalm that desperately cry out for God’s help, b/c that’s where I am today. I’m not aware of some great sin or catastrophe, I simply need God’s presence, and I need it now, here, with me in as tangible way as possible. I relate to the psalmist in that way. His words, emotions, which he expressed make me feel like I am not alone in my desperate need for God to answer my call for help. If God does not choose to answer (but I know He is not indifferent to my call) then what? Then where would I be? God is my help, my hope, my source of “Trust me, it’s going to be OK,” as was commented today regarding the story of the 12-year-old girl who Jesus healed.
“21 O LORD, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God. 22 Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior.”
Lora
======= Victoria:
SO DOES THIS MEAN WE SHOULD NOT EAT PIG AND ANY OF THEY FOODS MENTIONED IN THIS CHAPTER?
Victoria
======= John:
Victoria,
Leviticus 11 marks a division in Leviticus from the priests and sacrifices to the people.
God is setting forth in great detail notions of what can be eaten and the cleansing of utensils, pots, etc. Before any idea of science and dietary medicine were discovered by man, God was taking care of his nomadic people who had yet to settle in their land. This may have been what was necessary for the survival and good growth (in numbers) of the Jewish people given the nomadic lifestyle.
It is interesting to note that during the great plague years in Europe, the Jews did not suffer many deaths. Cleanliness and dietary choice helped them in this area. People were so suspicious of their good health, that Jews were accused of being behind the plague and persecuted.
Besides my opinion that this part of the Law was specifically stated for the Jewish people (individual), just as the sacrifices were no longer necessary after Christ’s crucifixion – IMO this part of the Law although it could be used for guidelines today is not mandatory.
I think beryl is right in citing Paul who specifically addresses this in Romans 14:14,17-18,20
“As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself…For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men…..Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.”
So in answer to your question based on my reading of scripture – What you eat is up to you but if it causes friction or another to stumble, then keep that in mind when dining with others.
John
======= Beryl:
I see the reading about the unclean animals in Peters vision as a type of parable; it was a symbol of people, the gentiles, not actually animals. It was later, in Acts ch.15 and Romans ch.14, that the christians in Jerusalem decided it was ok to eat as long as it did not offend or undermine someones fragile faith. Another reminder that the 10 commandments are based on loving God and loving our neighbours
Beryl
======= Pat:
I think that when we read about the clean and unclean in Leviticus 11 and 12 today, we are also seeing the loving and protective hand of God from a different angle.
In Chapter 11, the main meat consumed by the Gentiles was pork, and that was their primary source of protein. God saw that the Israelites would have more than sufficient food to eat but would also see that the Gentiles in the region would have their food source protected by making it prohibitive for the Israelites to eat. Even though all people do not accept God as their Savior, God loves all people! God also protected the wildlife He created by providing prohibitions that would protect their food chain.
In Chapter 12 on the purification of women, I feel that God was protecting the woman in these verses. We need to remember that in those days women were considered property the same as livestock. They could be used whenever and however their husbands desired and worked daily as long and hard as the husband dictated. God is assuring each woman a period of rest each month that she would not have otherwise. After childbirth, God is again protecting the woman by giving her body time to heal.
I feel that when we look at the big picture given in today’s Scripture reading, we see it establishes a the pattern created by a loving God that provides for and protects all of God’s creations, and it gives us a greater understand of how God works for the benefit of all. This has given me a new appreciation for God’s restrictions!
God Bless,
Pat
======= Sarah:
What struck me from the readings in Mark was Jesus’s kindness, compassion and sensitivity
1- saying to a frightened, trembling woman “go in peace…your suffering is over”
2- when Jarius was told that his daughter was dead Jesus spoke reassuring and comforting words “do’t be afraid, just have faith”
3- Jesus would not allow the crowds or even the majority of his disciples into Jarius’s home. He could have invited the crowds in so that he could demonstrate his power to all by raising the girl from the dead, but I think that not doing showed sensitivity to suffering (and at this point grieving) parents who would not want to be a public spectacle
4- Jesus said “little girl, get up” and then immediately ensured she was cared for telling them to get her something to eat.
In both of these miracles Jesus could have made much more of a big deal , he could have taken the crowds into the home, or he could have immediately taken the girl outside to show what he had done. But Jesus was not interested in using these miracles to “show off” or demonstrate his power I believe they were bourne out of a real love and compassion for the people he helped. Not only is this a great example for us to follow but it’s also reassuring for us when Jesus says “Don’t be afraid, have faith” to us.
In response to what has been said about small talk, I have to say I couldn;t agree more. I don;t know if you have these reality TV programmes in the US like Big Brother or the fascination with reality TV shows with celebrities in them where Z-list celebs are stuck in a house or jungle together or taught to sing/ ice skate etc but the fascination the British public seems to have with them really angrs me. Children are dying all over the world, yet the newspaper headlines are invariably about these ridiculous programmes. Lunch breaks at work are spent on “did you see celebrity whatever last night” and when any of us try to change the subject to something of a little more substance we are only met with derision for being “boring” When I asked what a “WAG” was (aparrently its a Wife and Girlfriend of a footballer!!) the response was “Don;t you ever watch the news”- says it all really
That’s my moan over! ;o)
Sarah
======= Jenny:
man, all these rules in Lev. do my head in! but i’m thankful it ok to eat crickets and locusts, yum! :p. Women had to atone for their uncleanness for having a period? how unfair…as if we have control over it. thats it, I want paid leave from my work once a month on the grounds of being unclean! :}
I love the woman who was healed by just touching His garments. i think of that sometimes…if i could just touch Him! i like how out of all the people pushing and touching, He knew this woman touched Him and was healed, he felt power leave from Him.
i love how tho the dad may have lost faith Jesus said: “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” I think He says this to me/us many times. i can accept it or i can say, ‘oh, but God, you dont understand, i have to be afraid bcos of this n that’…’
some psalms stood out for me:
4″My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.”
8 “I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart”.
17 “For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me.”
21″O LORD, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God. 22 Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior.”
i know that guilt. i hope we all do. we should feel guilt for our sins…how else can we repent? if we are not truely sorry bcos we have sinned? maybe we feel guilty bcos we were caught. I know there are lots of movements, churches that try to appease the ppl who dont want to feel guilty for their sin. “youre ok, God loves you just the way you are”. no, you’re not ok as you are. none of us are. we are sinners who need to know that we are seperated from God by our sins. We cant take this lightly! we are to come as we are (initially), but dont stay where we are! We need to ask for forgiveness regularly to. I dont want anything to come between me and the father! my sin will, my unconfessed sin. I must then TURN from my sin. You cant say, i’m sorry I’m living in fornication…then go back home to your boyfriend. you arent truly sorry unless u act. I dont know about others, but i’m not gonna mess with God.
I think we do a lot of babbling…lookee here, i’m proof! haha. with those you dont have a lot in common with, i think talks tend to be more shallow. are they more prevalent? idk. Like with ppl i cant talk to about things of God, they are rather shallow. even ppl i’ve know for years! but i definitely appreciate someone who isnt afraid to correct me, tell it like it is when i need it! i have very few friends who will correct me, who will lovingly rebuke me. i need those who will. not from matters they simply judge by their own standards, but from ppl who know the scoop n know, i am wrong. well, tell me!! if my head isnt screwed on straight, help me fix it please. sometimes i need a slap in the face! k…dont go forming a line now. :p
Jenny
======= Mae:
about the woman who touched Jesus’ robe. I love that story! Mark 5:34 “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. You have been healed”. Can you imagine touching Jesus? I truly believe that I can be saved just by touching Him if I only love Him enough. I went to a healingservice once. During the massprayer I felt hot, I felt the adrenaline running through my body, I wanted to cry out loud, I wanted to shout out loud praising the Lord, I saw a bright light and thought I was going to faint … and all of a sudden it was gone, everything was gone. I opened my eyes and I felt like I just had touched the Lord’s throne. Whenever I read or hear about this story about the woman touching Jesus’ robe, I think about me reaching out and touching the throne. I don’t even know why it felt like touching the throne … I’m not sure if I saw myself touching the throne in my thoughts or if it was some sort of vision … I can’t explain. It was magical! I knew I was healed instantly from my daily headaches and muscle-pains in my neck and shoulders. It was in my body for more than 15 years and from that evening on, from that moment on I was healed! Praise the Lord, Hallelujah!!!
Mae
======= Ramona:
Leviticus 11-12:8 (Mark 5:21-43)
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. … And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good. …. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. (Genesis 1:1-31 KJV)
O.K. So what happened that now there are clean and unclean animals? (Rhetorical question). As we search for why the laws, the setting apart of clean and unclean, holy and secular/profane some of the explanations do not satisfy me. I’m not saying they are wrong, I’m just saying I’m still “thirsty” for understanding. I want to know the why and wherefores. If everything was created “good” and “very good” what has sin done to corrupt God’s creation? Or has each created things purpose just been thrown out of wack because of sin? (Again Rhetorical) Man sinned, not the plants, not the animals, not the bugs, what did our sin set into motion that we now read about this separation and division? (Rhetorical).
I stated this previously but it bears repeating, everything we read about in the Old Testament points to the New, everything that God inspired man to write in the Old points to Jesus Christ. Life is all about choices and God gave the church in the wilderness something to choose, life or death, blessing or curses, holiness or the profane. It is all about choice. He commands Israel, to “be perfect because I am perfect.” Israel was given 600 plus laws, and the deal was, You break one you break them all. The only way you could do this was definitely not in your own strength because no one could keep the law. That is why the altar in the Tabernacle has to be busy from sun up to sun down. This could only be done by faith under the Old Covenant (Habakkuk2:4), as well as under the New (Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11; Heb 10:38). So to be Perfect like God, back then and now, one must walk with God and your perfection comes by way of identification with God/Christ.
One of the things I think that point toward Christ are the consumption of the animals that have split hooves and chew the cud. (Yes, I know I am probably going off on the deep end but here goes). Split hooves, at least to me, points to separation, choosing one thing over the other, not melding the sacred with the profane. They are close enough to be seen but with enough distance to be separated. Along with the split hooves, there must be constant chewing, digesting what was eaten and bringing it back up again to be chewed on some more, this speaks to me of “meditating” on God’s Word. The nutrients in the “grass” are not exhausted in the first swallow, but must be “chewed” over and over again. I believe it is akin to mediating on every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God, and we know that Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1)
This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success. (Joshua 1:8 AMP)
Also we can take note that Jesus “appears” to have broken or subverted Levitical Laws in today’s New Testament readings. He has been touched by a woman with an issue of blood, thus by the Law is unclean (We will read this in the days to come), he has not only been in the same room with the dead but touched the body making Him unclean. Could the statement He made to the “mourners,” “…She is sleeping” been said to not “offend” the people who knew she was dead? (Yes, again Rhetorical) Whatever the reason, death, sickness could not stay when Jesus showed up.
And another thing: In this passage there are a lot of twelve’s. Jesus is walking with his twelve disciples and is stopped by a man with a sick daughter who is twelve years old. He is then touched with an intentional touch by a woman who has been bleeding for twelve years. Is twelve the number for “God’s Purpose? (There are 12 sons of Jacob; 12 tribes of Israel, Hmmm). I am reading a secular book written by the famous science fiction writer Isaac Asimov, Realm of Numbers. It is non-fiction and it gives the history of our number system and mathematics in general. On page 45 he discusses that there was a challenger to our base 10 numbering system, it was the number 12.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======= Julie:
Thank you so much for the insights you give in the Bible Blog. Leviticus is challenging—I like the phrase “liver and onions” used to describe it–but I also remember that liver and onions is a very nutritious food. Sometimes it bothers me that we try very hard to lead biblical lives but totally ignore the rules in Leviticus. However, I do not want to give up barbeque pork sandwiches.
Julie
======= Janet:
From today’s OT reading this verse is convicting.
You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.(Lev 11:45)
But how do I apply dietary rules when Lev’s rules are no longer binding?
Romans 14:20-21 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
Additional to Paul’s claim, I view this OT passage, like the forbidden fruit for Adam and Eve, as SELF-DENIAL. ‘Be separate’, ‘be in the world but not of the world’ comes to mind when food shopping. Within the aisles of the store I view, mostly (not all), products that would best be NOT consumed. The perimeter of each food store sells the God made foods. They are the foods that are the best for us, today.
I have shared this position with my adult children and we purpose to avoid Satan’s products, filling but not satisfying; and purchase God’s treats: All Satisfying. Wondering how other Christians view this? Ramona’s emphasis of chewing on the Word is a wonderful application!:)
Praying for holiness, indeed!
Janet
======= Jennifer:
Death is life. Christ said to the women, because of your faith you are healed. She acted out of faith in her healing. Christ reassured Jarius “trust me”. Death to ourselves through our faith in Christs action in our lives is life giving and healing. However, faith requires action. you cannot hide like the women wanted to do, but tell others and proclaim your faith.
Jennifer
======= Steve:
Leviticus 11:44 (The new 2011 NIV) I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.
It’s pure pleasure to jump into God’s word each morning and search for treasure. I chose this verse because I wanted to know more about holiness. As I ponder what it is to be holy, the first thing that comes to mind is that being holy is being willing to give up sin and the second thing that comes to mind is that being holy is being fruitful. When we come to the point in our walk that we truly want to give up sin then and only then does the Lord begin to stuff tools in our quiver that we can use to gain victory over the sins which have easily entangled us in the past. Holiness is becoming mature.
In the time of Leviticus, God was teaching the Israelites the difference between good and evil, the same way we as Christians today are taught by the Holy Spirit and by studying God’s word. I know it sounds over simplified but today it seems that many don’t understand the difference between good and evil as they have been somewhat merged. Separating good from evil is the first step in our walk as Christians. I read a commentary that describes the process of separating good from evil similar to the way a pathologist peers through a microscope and is able to tell which cells are normal and which are cancerous. The way a musician is able to tell the difference between the right note and the almost right note. The way an expert writer knows the difference between any word and the right word.
The desire for Holiness is reached when we have gone through the desert and come to the conclusion that we are utterly incapable of helping ourselves and running the show. We must come to that conclusion before wisdom will enter us. Holiness is laying down our will and yielding to the Holy Spirit every step we take this day.
Steve
======= Molly:
Jesus said in Matthew chapter 15:
16 “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. 17 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’”
I have went on diets before and kept a record of everything that I eat, but how many of us write down or keep a record of everything that comes OUT of our mouth? Our Father in heaven does.
I agree that there are a lot of idle words being spoken today. Matthew chapter 12 records what Jesus said about us giving an account for all these words:
35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Molly
======= Jessica:
What a great comment. Molly! I have the feeling I would be much more convicted of my true sin if I kept a record of the words out of my mouth as faithfully as I do the food that goes in to it! Wow. That is a powerful comment.
Also appreciate your comment Steve about discernment between cancer cells/normal and musical notes. Isn’t it funny that some of the most “off” notes are the ones that are closest to the correct ones? Sin that is not obvious (“smalltalk” in this context) can be the most harmful sometimes.
I am a very talkative person by nature, but both my husband and my best friend are more reserved…or at least are more thoughtful about what they say. This lesson today ( a day late, by the way!) has a lot of good things in it for me, but none so much as the exhortion to avoid smalltalk. I am convicted of how many times people may have wanted to tell me something, or just had me avidly listen, but I put up a barrage of words….
Jessica
======= Jeff:
All of Jesus’ healings are fantastic, but bringing a dead person back to life takes it to a higher, even more amazing level. Regarding Jesus’ raising of Jairus’ daughter from the dead, I focused on the final verse Mark 5:43 “But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, …”. Aside from his own resurrection, there are only two other instances when Jesus raised someone from the dead (Lazarus; and the Widow’s Son). But Jairus’ daughter is the only instance when he counseled them that ‘no one should know it’. My guess is that he didn’t want the knowledge of His power over death to become too widely known yet. That power would become manifest most powerfully at the right time (when He resurrected Himself).
Jeff
======= Gloria:
Think it more than a coincidence that Leviticus’ uncleanness scriptures coincide with the woman with an issue of blood.
Could it be that Jairus knew personally of the woman with an issue of blood, perhaps all too well, for the impositions she may have caused over the years making his temple unclean?
Think it probable in her desperation, she went to the synagogue for help, outcome being the temple being declared unclean for a time. Think Jairus knew this woman well and when he finds that she is the reason for stopping their mission to heal his daughter he is chagrined to find this woman to be the cause for the delay. It may be possible and perhaps necessary for him to witness her healing, to bolster his faith to believe that Jesus could also do the “impossible” for his daughter. In wondering what Jairus’ thoughts could have been when Jesus says, “Trust me,” what he has just witnessed may have helped him release his thoughts of despair to that of trust by focusing on Jesus and His Word. Think it critical that Jairus focus on Jesus and not his daughter’s condition or what the rest of the world was saying for his daughter to be healed.
The daughter didn’t believe, she couldn’t, her father believed for her.
This pertains to us as we may become entrenched in life’s trials and adversities.
We must focus on Jesus, not the impossibilities.
He is, after all, God of the impossible.
He owns and ordains the present as well as the future.
Gloria
======= Joe:
A couple thoughts came to me in today’s verses. The first one allowed me to reflect on what it means to be holy. Webster defines holy as connected to a god or a religion; religious and morally good. I know that I cannot be holy on my own but only through receiving and accepting the holy spirit. Today I pray for the annointing of the holy spirit on my life and every waking moment. This website also provides a good description what it means to be holy: http://www.gotquestions.org/holy-holy-holy.html
Joe
======= Jill:
That’s a big one. Babbling! Excess talking! I found for myself in Ecc 5 King Solomon says “let your words be few” What a wise man! : ) When being accused we
Dont have to go on and on to defend ourselves, if we are living holy and blameless lives we won’t ever have to defend ourselves. Christ is our defense . Our prayers we need. To keep simple and pure. Trying to prove a point? Ask God for words of wisdom and opportunities to share our faith. If any excess words we have let it be to boast in our Lord as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 10:17
Jill
======= Zoe:
Small talk is babbling. Make sure it’s not gossip, must be edifying to the hearer. “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Eph 4:29. Unwholesome is also corrupt communications- or in the Greek = worthless, Also means unproductive.
Zoe
======= MItch:
OT: if the universe (as scientists say) is 10 dimensional, then God must be ten dimensional or more. What does that look like? How does He think? Have no idea. BUT we know He is Holy. Roots of Holy mean apart or other.
God is the ultimate other. He commands His children to be “other”. “Other” especially than the Canaanites. His commands today, say “How” and “What”, but God does not always tell us “Why”. Kind of presumptuous to demand the “Why”. We can guess – don’t eat things that Canaanites eat, to stave off pandemics, for hygiene, etc.
NT – the progression has been unfolding. Jesus has demonstrated power over sickness, over demons, over nature, and now over death. Sounds like a resume’ of God, doesn’t it? BTW any significance in the women’s 12 year illness and Jarious’ daughter being 12?
Mitch
======== Dee:
Ramona made a good commentary about the number 12.Numbers are always so significant in the Bible. The number 7 being the number of days of creation and of course 7th day being completion, the woman being ceremonially unclean or not to touch anything holy for 7 days after having a male child, then on the 8th day going and getting circumsized. The number 3 being on the third day Jesus rose from the dead, the third son (Seth) being the child promised to Adam and Eve as a promise to bring salv ation, brought about Noah, who had 3 sons, (maybe triplets) not sure… 33 days being when a woman is made able to go back into the tabernacle again after having a male and the number 14 days being if the woman is unclean from having a daughter and 66 days waiting on purification and made able to go to the tabernacle afterwards from having a girl..basically, numbers go on an on Amen!! in the Bible, so the Lord uses numbers to accomplish His completion and His power and to teach us that everything and everyone has a purpose and Word given in due season to all the Hear and Do the Word..
In the Psalm today, where David is crying out to the Lord in Chapter 38. I use the Life Application, the NLT, and I am kind of thinking on line of Ramona, reading some scripture and my Bible has some commentary notes at the bottom illustrating and in align with the chapter notes..In 38:2-4 says Your arrows have struck deep, and you blows are crushing me. Because of your anger, my whole body is sick; my health is broken because of my sins. My guilt overwhelms me–it is a burden too heavy to bear. Well in my notes in the footnotes, it says that David saw his anguish as judgment from God for his sins. Although God does not always send physical illness to punish us for sin, this verse and others in Scripture(Acts 12:21-23; 1 Corinthians 11:30-32) indicate that he does in certain circumstances. Our sin can have physical or mental side effects that can cause great suffering. Sometimes God has to punish his children in order to bring them back to himself (Hebrews 12:5-11). First of all I am going to stop there on the footnotes. GOD DOES NOT bring sin upon us..sin is prevelant in our lives through the decisions we make. God says I put before you life and death, blessings and curses, therefore choose LIFE!! Deut 30:19. Even reading the footnotes and commentary, we have to watch out for connotations and inuindo’s that indicate that God punishes us in order to bring us back to himself. He doesn’t do that! God is Good! Remember back in the garden when Adam and Eve sinned and then they tried to hide from God. God already knew what they had done but He couldn’t look upon them because they sinned! He can’t look up the sin we have on us because if His goodness and His light were to look upon us in our sin, we would all be burned up because Light can’t look upon Darkness because it would destroy the Darkness..our sins our actions are what steers our course! Always know to be careful.. watch and read the Word so that You will not stumble.
~~be blessed!
Dee
