Unclean! – part 1

• Test to make you feel good about yourself:

  • How long did Aaron and his sons have to prepare themselves for service in the Tabernacle?

  • How was the first fire lit upon the High Altar?

  • How would you rate the performance of Aaron’s sons in their priestly duties? What happened to them because of their actions?

  • What was the crime of Aaron’s sons? What does that mean?

  • How long did Aaron and his remaining boys have to mourn this incident?

  • Why would God do this thing?

  • Cleanliness is next to Godliness?

  • “Clean” and “Unclean” animals were nothing new to the Hebrews. (CF: Gen.7:1-10)
  • God decided what was clean and unclean over these next few chapters.
  • The of the people was a consideration.
  • But made the final .
  • The main point of these laws were to remind the Israelites that they belonged to God and were obligated to keep themselves “separate.”

2Identifying what is a “Clean” and “Unclean” Animal

• Some specific animals identified in these chapters are unclear. Leviticus 11:1-47
  • The language itself is unclear.
  • Some animals are “referred to” by their actions. was needed.
• Breakdown of edible and non-edible animals in chapter 11:
  • Land animals (vv.1-8)
  • Must not chew cud.
  • Must not have split hoof.
  • Water creatures (vv.9-12)
  • Must have fins and scales.
  • Shellfish were prohibited.
  • Fowl (vv.13-19)
  • Birds that eat flesh would be defiled by the blood left in the animals they eat.
  • Quails were God’s solution for meat for the people.
  • Flying insects (vv.20-23)
  • All insects were forbidden except those with jointed hind legs.

  • What do you think of the diet of John the Baptist?

  • Lizards, rodents, creeping things are added (vv.29-30)
  • Uncleanness was even a result of “ ” something.
  • Animals had to be drained of their blood.
  • People who touched an unclean thing were unclean until the end of the day.
  • They had to wash themselves and their clothes.
  • They could not re-enter the camp until sunset.
  • If a dead animal fell into an earthen vessel, the vessel had to be smashed.

3Three Facts to Remember about Dietary Laws

4(From W. Wiersbe – “Be Holy” p.44)

• God gave these laws only to the Jewish nation.
• Obeying these laws guaranteed ceremonial purity but didn’t automatically make the person holy in character.
• These laws were temporary and ended at the cross of Jesus Christ. Colossians 2:14
• Jesus said that were clean. Mark 7:1
• God ordered Peter to not call unclean what God called clean. Acts10:9-16

5Identifying what is a “Clean” and “Unclean” Action

• The act of childbirth is designed by God & not condemned in any way. Lev.12:1-4
• Historical context of childbirth:
  • The mother must do “ritual” purification before re-entering Jewish society.
  • She was not “sinful” because of .
  • She just needed to go through a “ ” cleansing to maintain the flow of everyday holy living. (40 days to purify)
  • She had to offer a purification sacrifice (a dove if the woman could not afford a lamb).
  • Foods, fungi, disease, & discharges: all in the same impurity category as childbirth.
  • The child received the mark of the Covenant on the 8th day.

  • Is it “Clean” or “Unclean” before God?

  • Was there any doubt left in the mind of the people as to the seriousness of keeping “clean” and shunning “uncleanliness?”
  • “Unclean” is used 32 times in Leviticus 11.
  • “Abomination” is used 10 times in Leviticus 11.
  • "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. "
  • (Isaiah 5:20, NIV)
  • There is a constant battle to “re-define” right & wrong – it started a long time ago.
  • "Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” "
  • (Genesis 3:1, NIV)
  • Humanities’ lust for self-gratification sometimes is so great that it drove us to question God’s sensibilities.
  • Eve “saw that the tree was good for food and gaining wisdom…”
  • Saul sacrificing animals he was supposed to wipe out (he saw that they were too good to leave behind!)
  • Achan saw that the ruins of Jericho were beautiful and priceless!
  • "When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.”
  • (Joshua 7:21, NIV)
  • Society promotes “fluid” morality. This is difficult when God makes Himself so clear.
  • So, instead of listening to God, society what is acceptable.
  • Humanity gains standing in re-defined views by gathering others to agree!
  • "Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.”
  • (Romans 1:32, NIV)
  • We must make God’s Desires…our Desires
  • Our devotion to God must be the same as those at the Tabernacle.
• We need to make ourselves aware of God’s will. Ephesians 5:15-17
• We need to set the example as children of light. Ephesians 5:8
• As always; it is God who determines what is holy and what is not holy. 1 Corinthians 6:20
• Holiness needs to permeate every part of our lives. Ephesians 4:1
  • The Believer needs to learn discernment.

  • Where do we go to find discernment?

• Ultimately, as our heart grows closer to His, we begin to have a clearer understanding of His will. Rom.12:1-2
  • "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test & approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing & perfect will."
  • (Romans 12:2, NIV)

6Next Week: Unclean! – Part 2 (Leviticus 13-14)