Lev 11 - Clean and Unclean

Dietary

Devotional on Leviticus 11: "Called to Be Holy in Every Area of Life"

The Big Idea

As the society of God’s favor, Israel was a royal nation living like privileged nobility around God’s palace.

Scripture Reading: Leviticus 11

Leviticus 11 outlines the dietary laws that God gave to the Israelites, distinguishing between clean and unclean animals. These laws were meant to govern not just the Israelites' physical health, but also their spiritual and moral distinctiveness. Though the specific food laws no longer apply to Christians (Mark 7:19), the principle of being set apart for God remains a central theme throughout Scripture.

Key Verse: Leviticus 11:44–45“44 For I am the Lord your God, so you must consecrate yourselves and be holy because I am holy. Do not defile yourselves by any swarming creature that crawls on the ground. 45 For I am the Lord, who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God, so you must be holy because I am holy.”

Set up by realm, similar to the way of creation. Land, Water, air.

May mean something, may not.

1. The Call to Holiness (Leviticus 11:1-23)

Leviticus 11 opens with a detailed description of what animals the Israelites could eat (clean) and those they should avoid (unclean). At first, this may seem like an arbitrary list, but the underlying message is clear: God desires His people to live distinct, holy lives, separated from the pagan cultures around them.

These dietary laws served as a daily reminder of the Israelites' special covenant with God. Every meal became an act of obedience, reinforcing the message that God's people are called to a higher standard. Today, we may not follow these specific food laws, but we are still called to pursue holiness in all aspects of life. Just as the Israelites had to discern between clean and unclean foods, we are called to discern between what is spiritually beneficial and what is harmful in our lives.

Reflection: How are you actively setting yourself apart for God? What areas of your life need greater attention to holiness—whether in what you consume (media, entertainment, relationships) or in your habits and lifestyle choices?

2. Holiness in the Ordinary (Leviticus 11:24-40)

In the middle of this chapter, the focus shifts to how the Israelites were to handle contact with unclean animals, even in circumstances that might seem beyond their control. If an unclean animal touched any item, it became impure, and those who came into contact with it had to follow specific purification rituals.

The message here is that holiness is not just about overt sin but also about being mindful of how even the ordinary and routine aspects of life can affect our spiritual well-being. God calls His people to be vigilant, even in the small details of life. Our faith isn’t just for the grand moments; it’s for the everyday tasks, the unseen interactions, and the smallest decisions.

Reflection: How might the small, seemingly insignificant areas of your life reflect your pursuit of holiness? Are there “unclean” influences that have subtly crept into your daily habits or thought patterns? How can you be more mindful of living out holiness in both the big and small moments?

3. A People Set Apart for God (Leviticus 11:41-47)

The closing section of Leviticus 11 reiterates the reason for these laws: the Israelites were to be holy because God is holy. The regulations on clean and unclean animals were not just about physical health but about reflecting the character of God. He had rescued them from Egypt and entered into a covenant relationship with them. This meant they were to be distinct from the world around them.

For Christians, the call to be set apart remains just as relevant. While we are no longer bound by Old Testament dietary restrictions, the principle of living holy lives remains. 1 Peter 1:15-16 echoes this truth: “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” Jesus’ sacrifice has freed us from the law, but it has also empowered us to live in the freedom of holiness through the Holy Spirit.

Reflection: How does your life reflect the holiness of God to those around you? What does it mean to be set apart in the culture you live in today? Are there areas where you’ve conformed to the patterns of this world rather than God’s call to holiness?

Application Points:

Consecrate Yourself Daily: Just as the Israelites had to follow specific guidelines to remain ceremonially clean, we are called to daily consecrate ourselves to God. This doesn’t mean following a strict set of rules, but it does mean choosing to live intentionally in ways that reflect our identity in Christ. Are your daily actions pointing to a life set apart for God?

Guard Against “Unclean” Influences: Leviticus 11 teaches the importance of being mindful about what we allow into our lives. In today’s context, this can be applied to the media we consume, the conversations we engage in, and the relationships we cultivate. Take time to evaluate your life and identify areas where you may be allowing unholy influences to shape your thinking, attitudes, or behaviors.

Holiness as a Witness to the World: The Israelites’ distinct lifestyle was meant to show the nations around them that they belonged to God. As Christians, our pursuit of holiness should be a witness to those around us. People should see something different in how we live, act, and love. Holiness is not about self-righteousness but about reflecting the character of God to a world in need.

Rely on Christ for Holiness: The laws in Leviticus pointed to the people’s need for purity, but ultimately no one could live a perfect life under the law. This points us forward to Jesus, who fulfilled the law on our behalf. Through His life, death, and resurrection, we are made holy. Now, holiness is not something we strive to achieve on our own but something we live out through the power of the Holy Spirit. Are you relying on Christ’s work in you to live a holy life, or are you trying to do it in your own strength?

Conclusion:

Leviticus 11 might seem like a list of dietary restrictions, but it carries profound spiritual truths that apply to our lives today. The message is clear: God’s people are called to be holy because He is holy. In every aspect of life—whether it’s what we consume, how we interact with others, or how we live day-to-day—holiness should be our aim. As followers of Jesus, we no longer live under the Old Testament dietary laws, but we are still called to live lives that reflect God’s holiness to the world around us.