January 30, 2023 - Leviticus 11-15

“And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying to them, ‘Speak to the people of Israel, saying, These are the living things that you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth’” (11:1-2). And so begins God’s instruction regarding clean and unclean foods and other matters. There are detailed bodily and spiritual considerations, here; as we consider them, we need not to miss the big picture, i.e., that our God is concerned about the entirety of our lives, further instructing how to care for lepers and those with various diseases. He desires that we approach him in worship rightly and, also, that we take care of our bodies. Though in reference to sexual purity, Paul provides instruction that can be broadly applied, including being applied to what we eat and what we do: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Later, in the same letter, Paul writes, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God”(1 Corinthians 10:31). What a principle for living! Today, and every day, we should be asking of anything we do: “Does this glorify/please God?”

Take my life and let it be

consecrated, Lord, to thee.

Take my moments and my days;

let them flow in endless praise,

let them flow in endless praise. --Frances R. Havergal (1874)