Read Leviticus 11
Highlights:
Read about the supreme essential to cleanse sin. God has specific laws concerning clean and unclean animals, childbirth, and the dreadful leprosy (symbolic of sin).
Numerous times God said: I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves . . . Make a difference between the unclean and the clean (Lev. 11:44-47). The people of God must be a morally clean people, inwardly and outwardly, in order to be in a right relationship with God. Every Christian should conduct his life as a purchased possession (of Christ), unto the praise of His glory (Eph. 1:14). The Holy Spirit warns concerning this first generation of slaves that had left Egypt, that . . . all passed through the sea . . . And did all drink the same spiritual drink . . . of that spiritual Rock . . . and that spiritual . . . Rock was Christ. But . . . they were overthrown (died) in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. . . . idolaters. . . . fornication. . . . murmured. . . . let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall (I Cor. 10:1-12).
As we read through the Bible, the Holy Spirit will lead all who are true believers to daily experience the lordship of Christ over their thoughts and conduct, that whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory (honor) of God (10:31).
The Holy Spirit led the Apostle Paul to also write: Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the Temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the Temple of God is holy, which Temple ye are (3:16). For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness (set apart to live as children of the One True God) (I Thess. 4:7).
God left nothing to human opinions or contemporary trends. It is our responsibility to learn how God expects us to live. We are called to study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed (II Tim. 2:15). If we neglect reading His Word, then it becomes easy to substitute human opinion for the Holy Spirit's guidance. My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord (Is. 55:8). As we compare our ways with the Word, we discover the will of God (Rom. 12:2).
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (II Cor. 5:17).
Thought for Today:
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits (Ps. 103:2).
Christ Revealed:
Through the priest who looked on the plague after it was washed to pronounce it clean (Lev. 13:55,59). Jesus Christ. . . . Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood (Rev. 1:5).
Word Studies:
11:3 clovenfooted hoof parted into two distinct hooves; 13:2 rising swelling; 13:4 shut up isolate; 13:5 be at a stay has not changed; 13:10 quick raw forming; 13:51 fretting contagious, spreading.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Country: Sudan (28.9 million) at the eastern end of the Sahara Desert • Major languages: Arabic and Nubian • Limited religious freedom • 70% Sunni Muslim; 19% Christian; 10% Traditional; 1% Other/None • Prayer Suggestion: Pray persistently; you will receive an answer (Luke 11:9-10).
Optional Reading: Mark 8
Memory Verse for the Week: Hosea 4:6