Friday September 23, 2016

No Question, Please!

-LEVITICUS 11:1-12

Key Verse:

"And the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying unto them, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth" (Leviticus 11:1,2).

God is the creator of heaven and earth and all that are therein. The Bible tells us that all His creation is good. It therefore, means that both the "clean" and the "unclean" animals have their individual purposes to fulfill in their existence. To that extent, no one has the right to question the wisdom of God in creation. This chapter deals with foods that may or may not be clean for consumption. It is written to instruct the Israelites concerning clean and unclean things, an instruction which has no moral or ethical effect with reference to personal relationships, nor is the concept of "clean" and "unclean" unique. When God gave these instructions, there were health reasons attached to them. He often pronounced something as unclean in order to preserve the health of the people. However, in making the pronouncement that something is clean or unclean, it became a command; thus, godliness was determined by one's obedience to such command. This probably gave birth to the common phrase "cleanliness is next to godliness", a maxim not found in the Scriptures. For the Israelites, keeping the "cleanliness" command of the law was manifesting one's godliness in obedience to God. Obedience to God's commands is not optional. He demands it, implicitly, from every believer. The standard has not diminished. Whatever instruction He gives is meant to preserve the sanctity of the society and must be obeyed. As Israel kept this command by avoiding unclean animals and birds; believers must ensure they touch no unclean thing as they bear the mark of Christ in their bodies. The Bible is explicit on behaviours that are foul to Him. Believers must therefore, commit themselves to doing things that gladden God's heart. It is rebellious to query or probe the reasons for God's commands. As servants, our duty is to "just obey".

Thought for the day: Obedience always brings blessings

Bible Reading in one Year:PROVERBS 21 - 23