Today’s reading was a 113-verse deep dive into the distinction between clean and unclean. It explored animals, bugs, birds, fish, diet, clothing, childbearing, skin diseases, mildew, and quarantine. It also covered what is clean and unclean, how to tell the difference, and what to do about it. One thing stood out to me: they can’t have bacon!
What is God doing? It is easy to see this and think God is all about dos and don’ts. But that’s not it! God is making a distinction between the clean and unclean. He is helping Israel understand their God, themselves, and their place in the world. He is calling out a people Holy to Himself, separating them from all the wickedness of the nations around them. This does not mean that Israel is better than anyone else. But it does mean their God is unlike all else!
What about us believers today?
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:14–18, KJV)
What is this saying? It is not saying that we are better than unbelievers. It is not saying that we must completely separate from and shun unbelievers. It is saying that we are unlike unbelievers! It is saying that our God is unlike them and unlike the god of this world! As God did to Israel in Leviticus 11-13, God is still calling out from the world and the wickedness around us a people Holy to Himself. While these Levitical laws don’t apply today, why is God calling us to be Holy? Because Jesus was sacrificed on the cross for a special purpose!
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:14, KJV)
Believers, rejoice! We are His people! We have been separated from the works and power of darkness to do good deeds! How the world needs us among them, yet unlike them, to show them our God, who is unlike all else!
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1 Peter 2:9, KJV)
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