I am
Yahweh your God. Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any kind of creeping thing that moves on the earth.
Leviticus 11:44
Leviticus 11 [41.] “‘Every creeping thing that creeps on the earth is an abomination. It shall not be eaten. Whatever goes on its belly, and whatever goes on all fours, or whatever has many feet, even all creeping things that creep on the earth, them you shall not eat; for they are an abomination. You shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creeps. You shall not make yourselves unclean with them, that you should be defiled thereby. For I am Yahweh your God. Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any kind of creeping thing that moves on the earth. For I am Yahweh who brought you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.
Meaning:
- Divine Identity:
The verse begins with a declaration of God's identity: "For I am Yahweh your God." This serves as a reminder to the Israelites of their covenant relationship with God and His authority over them. As their God, Yahweh has the right to establish guidelines for holy living and expects His people to obey them.
- Call to Holiness:
God instructs the Israelites to sanctify themselves and be holy because He is holy. Holiness, in this context, refers to moral purity and separation from anything that is unclean or impure. The Israelites were called to reflect the character of God in their conduct and lifestyle by adhering to His commandments.
- Dietary Laws:
The specific command in this verse pertains to the dietary restrictions outlined in the preceding verses of Leviticus 11. The Israelites were prohibited from consuming certain types of animals, including those that creep on the ground. By abstaining from these foods, they demonstrated their obedience to God's laws and their commitment to holiness.
- Symbolism of Clean and Unclean:
The distinction between clean and unclean animals in Leviticus served as a symbolic reminder of the Israelites' separation from the practices of the surrounding pagan nations. It also reinforced the principle of moral purity and obedience to God's commands in all areas of life.
New Testament Application:
While the dietary laws of the Old Testament were given specifically to the Israelites under the Mosaic covenant, the principle of holiness and separation remains relevant for Christians today. In the New Testament, believers are called to holiness in their conduct and character, reflecting the righteousness of Christ in their lives (1 Peter 1:15-16).
Cross References:
1 Peter 1:15-16: "but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior; because it is written, 'You shall be holy; for I am holy.'" Peter echoes the language of Leviticus 11:44, emphasizing the call to holiness based on the character of God.
Leviticus 20:26: "You shall be holy to me, for I, Yahweh, am holy, and have set you apart from the peoples, that you should be mine." This verse reinforces the theme of holiness and separation as a distinguishing characteristic of God's people.
In summary, Leviticus 11:44 underscores the principle of holiness and separation as integral aspects of Israelite identity and obedience to God's commands. While the specific dietary laws may no longer apply to Christians today, the call to holiness remains a central tenet of our faith, as we are called to reflect the character of our holy God in our lives.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible