Leviticus 11:13-19 “ ‘These are the birds you are to regard as unclean and not eat because they are unclean: the eagle, a the vulture, the black vulture, the red kite, any kind of black kite, any kind of raven, the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl, the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey, the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe and the bat.
I have found it really telling with this read through the Bible to pay attention to what is going on in my body as I read scripture. Today’s section has me anxious and filled with stress.
Leviticus 11:20-23 “ ‘All flying insects that walk on all fours are to be regarded as unclean by you. There are, however, some flying insects that walk on all fours that you may eat: those that have jointed legs for hopping on the ground. Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket or grasshopper. But all other flying insects that have four legs you are to regard as unclean.
As best I can tell, the anxiety comes from all the rules and the threat of what happens if they are broken: “You will make yourselves unclean….” (v24), meaning there will be distance between me and God. Not good.
Leviticus 11:24 “ ‘You will make yourselves unclean by these; whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean till evening.
Precious Savior, Thank You for the awareness of what is happening within me as I read Your word. Thank You that I can sometimes unpack and understand those reactions. When I can’t, help me to make some kind of peace and draw closer to You regardless. Help me, Jesus. Amen.
Leviticus 11:25 Whoever picks up one of their carcasses must wash their clothes, and they will be unclean till evening.
Have a blessed day.