Originally posted: 05/08/2019

“For I am the Lord who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; thus you shall be holy, for I am holy,” (11:45).

I admit I don’t quite understand the dietary laws, the laws of clean and unclean animals and carcasses laid out in Leviticus 11.

“For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. And you shall not make yourselves unclean with any of the swarming things that swarm on the earth. ⁴⁵ For I am the Lord who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; thus you shall be holy, for I am holy.”
⁴⁶ This is the law regarding the animal and the bird, and every living thing that moves in the waters and everything that swarms on the earth, ⁴⁷ to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean, and between the edible creature and the creature which is not to be eaten, (11:44-47).

I have heard it suggested all these laws were solely about health and disease concerns; but here in this chapter, in the giving of these laws, the LORD made no reference to physical health or disease.

Matthew Henry suggests that the laws were given to test their obedience, much like the tree of knowledge in the garden was forbidden. He also states that the dietary laws would clearly differentiate God’s people as separate from neighboring pagan nations. “Many also of these forbidden animals were objects of superstition and idolatry to the heathen,” Matthew Henry Commentary.

While I came away from Leviticus 11 with unanswered questions, still I saw Him and His purpose clearly defined; He is the LORD their God Who Brought His People Up to be consecrated and holy; and in keeping these laws His people would be distinct from the surrounding nations.

Consider Him Who Brought His People Up

• He brought His People Up to be in relationship and to know Him as their God.
  • “For I am the Lord your God… ⁴⁵ For I am the Lord who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God…” (11:44-45).

• He brought His People Up to reflect His character as set apart and holy.
  • “… Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. And you shall not make yourselves unclean with any of the swarming things that swarm on the earth… thus you shall be holy, for I am holy,” (11:44-45).

• He brought His People Up to obey and trust His distinctions.
  • This is the law regarding the animal and the bird, and every living thing that moves in the waters and everything that swarms on the earth, ⁴⁷ to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean, and between the edible creature and the creature which is not to be eaten, (11:46-47).

How do we respond to Him Who Brought His People Up?

• Have we been brought up out of the bondage of sin to know Him Who Brought His People Up as our God?
  • For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, (Colossians 1:13-14) .

(If you are not sure you have been brought up out of the bondage of sin, call out to Him in prayer, acknowledge you cannot save yourself, place your faith in His perfect redemption accomplished on the cross and you will be saved) “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” ³¹They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household,” (Acts 16:30-31) .

• Are we walking in obedience as distinct, holy and set apart, reflecting His character to others who need to see and know Him Who Brought His People Up?
  • So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; ¹³ for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. ¹⁴ Do all things without grumbling or disputing; ¹⁵ so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, (Philippians 2:12-15).

• Are we committed by faith to trust Him Who Brought His People Up, even when we don’t fully understand His whys?
  • Though He slay me,
    I will hope in Him, (Job 13:15).
  • It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    Than to trust in man.
    ⁹ It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    Than to trust in princes, (Psalm 118:8-9).
  • If Your law had not been my delight,
    Then I would have perished in my affliction, (Psalm 119:92).

Let’s Grow Together!