DCLM Search The Scripture Youth For July 9, 2023 : Topic – SUNDRY LAWS OF PURIFICATION
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YOUTH STS
LESSON 69
SUNDRY LAWS OF PURIFICATION
Memory Verse: “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God”
(1 Corinthians 10:31).
TEXT: Leviticus 11:1-47; 12:1-8
The eleventh and twelfth chapters of the book of Leviticus form the focus of our study and They introduce us to the laws of clean and unclean animals, purification and ceremonial cleansing. Under the Levitical priesthood, many things could render a person unclean. However, God is holy and He desire holiness in the lives of those that would have fellowship with Him. “And the LORD Spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying unto them, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth”(Leviticus 11:1,2). Just as God spoke to Moses and Aaron, as youths, God can instruct us through our parents, church leaders, teachers and other means He considers appropriate. “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds”(Hebrews 1:1,2). The children of Israel were forbidden by God to eat anything unclean. He knows what is good for their consumption as a nation separated to Himself. “Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth. Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you”(Leviticus 11:2,4). The commandments of God are designed to regulate our behavior and they are intended for our good. When we obey God’s Laws, we will enjoy spiritual and physical health, but when we disobey them, we incur His displeasure. However, with the putting aside of the Levitical ceremonies on cleanliness, under the New Testament dispensation, we now know that “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer”(1 Timothy 4:4,5).
Question 1: Why should we freely eat of every creature of God that is nourishing to our bodies?
Food does not qualify or disqualify us before God; hence, as New Testament saints, we are commanded by God not to call any of His creatures unclean (Acts 10:14,15). Notwithstanding, we must maintain good hygiene in the selection and preparation of the food we eat.
1. GOD’S COMMAND ON CLEAN AND UNCLEAN ANIMALS
Leviticus 11:1-43; Deuteronomy14:3-21;1 Timothy 4:1-5; 1 Corinthians 8:8)
“Speak unto the children of lsrael, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth” (Leviticus 11:2). In giving this command, God classified the animals into two broad classes: the clean and the unclean. The Lord highlights the animals that are clean and to be eaten in verses 2,3,9,21 and 22. All the other verses up to verse 43 dealt with animals that are unclean and not to be eaten.
Question 2: What can youths learn from the laws of clean and unclean animals
There are basic principles to learn from God’s command on clean and unclean animals. One, God is orderly and meticulous in all His ways and Works. Our lives must be orderly as youths and not haphazard or confusing. Two, God wanted the children of Israel to learn that their liberty must be exercised with caution and restraint (Galatians 5:13). Though we live under grace, we must abstain from sin (Romans 6:1,2). Three, Israel was not to eat anything unclean. Christian youths should avoid contaminated or spoilt food to remain healthy. Four, we must maintain good hygiene in the preparation and eating of food. Indiscriminate buying and eating of food from every available food vendor must be avoided. Youths are advised to eat food from hygienic sources. Five, we must not substitute the eating of real food for junks, sugary, carbonated or chemically spiced food. Remember you are what you eat, therefore eat good and quality food that will add vitality to your life and keep you healthy.
Question 3: Answer TRUE or FALSE:
()) Eating food from people of other culture cancels your salvation in Christ.
(ii) We must not allow eating of food to weaken the faith of other believers.
(ii)As future missionaries, we should learn to accept and eat other people’s food as long as they are Hygienic.
(iv) The liberty we have in Christ permits us to eat food offered unto idols.
Note some of the animals which God forbade the Israelites from eating are known for their dirty habits. For instance, the swine is known for wallowing in the mire and its meat very fatty. It is now known that the pig is the intermediate host for several parasitic organisms, some of which can result in tapeworm infestation in poorly cooked pork. The predators are unclean because they eat both the flesh and the blood of animals. The scavengers are unclean because they feed on dead animals. In general, it can be said that the laws protected Israel from many communicable diseases and promoted clean and healthy living.
2. GOD’S DEMAND FOR HOLINESS
Leviticus 11:44,45; Deuteronomy 18:9-14; 2 Timothy 2:21;1 Peter 11:44-47; Thessalonians 5:23,24; 1:14-16
“For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44,45). After God ended commanding the children of Israel on animals to eat, He went to demand a lifestyle of holiness and righteousness from them. Holiness is the very nature of God and He does not want to see anything unclean in any of His children (Habakkuk 1:13).
Question 4: What are those things that can make a Christian youth unclean or defiled before God?
Youths should know that eating unclean or clean animals today does not recommend us to God for salvation. It is sinning that defiles and makes a youth unclean before God. “And He said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man”(Mark 7:20-23). Through the blood of Jesus, we can receive forgiveness and cleansing from sin. The sacrifice of Jesus dealt fully with the two-fold sin problem of man. We can receive forgiveness and remission of sins that are past (salvation) and also receive freedom from inward sin and removal of the Adamic nature (sanctification). We are to be diligent in pursuing, possessing and manifesting holiness. Real conversion makes us new creatures in Christ, yet there is inward purity that we must seek through prayer, consecration and faith. We are to be like our Father and He wants every youth to be holy. “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:14-16). You are to have zero tolerance for deviation from the word of God despite educational attainment, presence of internet, pressure from peer group or even corruption in the society.
Question 5: How can a youth be cleansed and kept righteous before God?
“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21). Our cleansing is through the blood of Christ by faith. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:7,9). However, after the cleansing, we should preserve our purity by doing the following practical things:
One, Stay away from all uncleanness (2 Timothy 2:19);
Two, Flee from youthful lusts (2 Timothy 2:22; 1 Thessalonians 5:22);
Three, Keep yourself unspotted from the world (James 1:27);
Four, Believe God that He is able to preserve you from evils (1 Peter 1: 5;Jude1:24);
Five, Seek the Lord for a second work of grace (sanctification) in your heart and life (Isaiah 6:5-7; Psalm 51:10); Six, Learn to live in righteousness daily, through grace. (Titus 2:11,12);
Seven, Live in the fear of God daily (1 Corinthians 7:1);
Eight, Read and meditate on the word of God (John 15:3);
Nine, Pray daily for spiritual strength to overcome temptation (1 Peter 5:10,11);
Ten, Preach the gospel that produces righteousness (Romans 1:16,17). God demands holiness; the Saviour commands it, the Spirit inspires it, the Word commends it, the world contends with it, the Apostles defended it and the believers must uphold it. Our prayer and desire always should be, “…cleanse thou me from secret faults”(Psalm 19:12).
3. LESSONS FROM THE LAW OF PURIFICATION
Leviticus 12:1-8; Romans 5:11; Hebrews 9:13,14
The law on purification after childbirth, points out that a woman who gave birth under the Old Testament dispensation should undergo in order to be ceremonially clean and get restored to the congregation. The period of opportunity to also had time to develop and become strong before being exposed to the challenges of daily living. We must be thankful to God for His, righteous laws that are all intended for our welfare. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11). Before the coming of Christ, the requirement for purification demands animal sacrifices. “And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean” (Leviticus 12:8). However, the dispensation of grace in which we are does not require animal sacrifice for purification but the atoning blood of Jesus Christ which we receive through faith.