6 Sep 2017, Lev 11 利11 章, Clean and Unclean 洁净与不洁净

Posted on Aug 25, 2017 in Devotions, Leviticus |

Scripture Reading    : Lev 11

Theme                        : Clean and Unclean

 

Defilement.

Chapters 11–15 focus on the concept of “clean” and “unclean” in the areas of food (11), birth (12), disease (13–14), and normal bodily functions (15). Although the laws certainly served a practical hygienic purpose, there was also a spiritual principle involved. As God’s people, Israel had to be separated from everything that God called unclean. Other nations might be able to do those things, but the Jews could not (vv. 44–45). Defilement spreads, and one person’s carelessness could affect many people.

Discernment.

If they wanted to be pleasing to God, the people had to exercise discernment (vv. 46–47); the priests were supposed to teach them God’s will (Ezek. 44:23). The dietary laws were temporary (Mark 7:14–23; Acts 10:9–18; 1 Tim. 4:1–5), but the principle is permanent: believers must have discernment and avoid what is unclean (2 Cor. 7:1; Phil. 1:9–11; Heb. 5:14). [1]

 

Praying the Scripture

Since Noah knew about clean and unclean animals (Gen. 7:1–10), this distinction was part of an ancient tradition that antedated the Mosaic Law. Whether a creature was “clean” or “unclean” had nothing to do with the quality of the beast; it all depended on what God said about the animal. When He gave these laws, no doubt the Lord had the health of His people in mind (Ex. 15:26; Deut. 7:15), but the main purpose of the dietary code was to remind the Israelites that they belonged to God and were obligated to keep themselves separated from everything that would defile them. “Be holy, for I am holy” (Lev. 11:44; see Deuteronomy 14:3–20 for a parallel list of clean and unclean foods).

However, Jesus made it clear to His disciples that all foods were clean (Mark 7:1ff), and God taught this lesson again to Peter before He sent him to minister to the “unclean” Gentiles (Acts 10:9–16). Paul affirmed that special days and diets must not be considered either the means or the measure  of a person’s spirituality (Rom. 14:1–15:13). “But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do” (1 Cor. 8:8). It’s wrong to judge other Christians on the basis of what they eat (Col. 2:16–23). As long as they believe God’s Word that all foods are clean, and ask God to bless their food, they have the right to eat it (1 Tim. 4:1–6). Let’s us pray that we would obey God and not follow man’s standard. Let us, therefore, also study the Bible diligently and know His Word intimately rather than follow men’s opinions.
 

[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word Bible Commentary(Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Le 11:1.

 
 

经文：利11 章

主题：  洁净与不洁净

 

污秽。

第11-15章着重讲述有关食物（11）、生育（12）、疾病（13-14）和正常身体功能（15）的“洁净”与“ 不洁净”的概念。虽然律法确实有促进公共卫生的作用，但它也涵盖了属灵原则。身为神的子民，以色列必须与凡神称为不洁的分别开来。邻国或许能行那一切事，但犹太人是不可以的（44-45节）。污秽是会蔓延的，而一个人的疏忽可能会绊倒许多人。

辨别。

人若想讨神的喜悦，就须懂得辨别黑白（46-47节）；而祭司必要教给他们神的旨意（结44:23）。饮食方面的律法会成过去（可7:14-23；徒10:9-18;1，提前4:1-5），但其中的原则是永恒的：信徒必须有辨别能力，避开一切污秽（林后7:11； 腓1:9-11；希5:14）。


用经文祷告 

挪亚既然知道哪些动物是否洁净（创7:1-10），显明这传统区分早在摩西律法以前就存在了。一个动物是“洁净”或“不洁”，并不在于动物本身；只赖于神对这动物的说法。当神赐下律法时，祂确实有为祂百姓的健康着想（出15:26；申7:15），但重点更是要提醒以色列人他们是属神的，所以有义务与一切污秽分别开来。 “你们要圣洁，因为我是圣洁的”（利11:44；见 申14:3-20，洁净与不洁的食物清单）。

然而，耶稣向门徒清楚说明所有的食物已被洁净（可7:1F）；神也教导彼得同样的功课，才差遣他到“不洁净”的外帮人之中（徒10:9-16）。保罗也一再说明，持守特别日子和饮食习惯不能成为一人灵性的途径或衡量（罗14:1-15:13）。 “其实食物不能叫神看中我们，因为我们不吃也无损，吃也无益”（林前8:8）。所以，我们不能凭其他信徒所吃或所喝的东西来判断他（西2:16-23）。只要他们相信神的话，知道所有的食物已被洁净，并祈求神祝福他们的食物，他们便可吃下（提前4:1-6）。让我们祷告，我们会顺服神，而不是按照人的标准而行。因此，让我们也殷勤的学习圣经，明白主的话，而不是按照人的意见行事。