From chapters 11-15, the LORD gives his people health related regulations. Chapter 11 are laws regarding diet. Among the living creatures, the eatable ones are these: animals that have a split hoof completely divided and that chew the cud (2-8); fish that have fins and scales (9-12); and flying insects that have jointed legs for hopping on the ground (20-23); and some clean birds such as doves and pigeons (13-19; Lev 1:14). The LORD teaches them not to touch any carcass, regardless if the carcass was of a clean or unclean animal (24-43). Touching a carcass made a person unclean until evening and their clothes had to be washed.

How should we view these regulations? Jesus himself declared that nothing entering the body can defile a person and therefore, all foods were clean (Mk 7:18-19). But through their diet, God helped his people to consciously know that God makes a distinction between clean and unclean, between holy and unholy. The LORD said, “...consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves about on the ground.” (44). Are you consciously seeking God’s holiness and honoring God with your body, mind, and spirit?
Application: Father, thank you for giving laws that help us think about holiness. Help me to be holy in every area of life for you are holy.
One Word: Be holy because God is holy