Leviticus 11:1-12
And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying to them, “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, These are the living things that you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth.“ – Leviticus 11:1-2
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In Leviticus 11, God gave dietary instructions to the people of Israel through Moses and Aaron, clearly laying out which animals were permitted for eating and which were not. On the surface, this seems like an ancient “food list,” but its core message goes far beyond food. It reveals that holiness is not just for priests, nor confined to tabernacle rituals. Holiness is meant to shape the daily life of every believer.
After bringing the Israelites out of Egypt, God made a covenant with them at Mount Sinai and declared:
“You shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:6) This means that holiness is not the privilege of a select few but the calling of every covenant member, the entire people of God.
After giving the dietary laws, God reminded the Israelites:
“I am the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.” (Leviticus 11:45) God was not speaking only to the priests. When He said, “You shall be holy”, it was addressed to the entire nation.
This brief verse dispels the common misconception that holiness is only for pastors or “super-Christians”. Holiness is not a special qualification. It is the foundational way of life for everyone who belongs to God.
When God gave the dietary laws, He wasn’t creating a set of standards to test religious experts. He was teaching a countercultural truth: holiness belongs to the vegetable seller, the woman making cloth, and the shepherd boy. Those working outside the tabernacle and those serving inside the tabernacle were equally called to live holy lives.
In the same way, God calls you to be holy in your office, in your kitchen, in your classroom. Holiness is not a garment reserved for special occasions. It is the daily attire of everyone who belongs to Him.
These dietary laws also remind us that faith is not just found in distant temples but at our dining table. Not only in sacred rituals, but in everyday decisions. The true measure of our faith is not how pious we seem on Sunday, but the choices we make on Monday.
Reflection:
Do I subconsciously think of holiness as something that only pastors or full-time ministers need to pursue? Have I labeled myself as “just a layperson” and lowered my pursuit of holiness? Do the choices I make in entertainment or recreation really strengthen my body, mind, and soul, or are they slowly draining my love for God and others?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, I confess that I often treat holiness as someone else’s responsibility. I’ve divided my life into “spiritual” and “ordinary” parts. Please forgive me for this divided view of faith. Today, help me see that my room is a sanctuary, my office is an altar, and every day is a living sacrifice. Shine Your light on the areas of my life that are not fully surrendered to You. Teach me to offer myself wholly, and to live a life set apart for You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Click to read the passage
In Leviticus 11, God gave dietary instructions to the people of Israel through Moses and Aaron, clearly laying out which animals were permitted for eating and which were not. On the surface, this seems like an ancient “food list,” but its core message goes far beyond food. It reveals that holiness is not just for priests, nor confined to tabernacle rituals. Holiness is meant to shape the daily life of every believer.
After bringing the Israelites out of Egypt, God made a covenant with them at Mount Sinai and declared:
“You shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:6) This means that holiness is not the privilege of a select few but the calling of every covenant member, the entire people of God.
After giving the dietary laws, God reminded the Israelites:
“I am the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.” (Leviticus 11:45) God was not speaking only to the priests. When He said, “You shall be holy”, it was addressed to the entire nation.
This brief verse dispels the common misconception that holiness is only for pastors or “super-Christians”. Holiness is not a special qualification. It is the foundational way of life for everyone who belongs to God.
When God gave the dietary laws, He wasn’t creating a set of standards to test religious experts. He was teaching a countercultural truth: holiness belongs to the vegetable seller, the woman making cloth, and the shepherd boy. Those working outside the tabernacle and those serving inside the tabernacle were equally called to live holy lives.
In the same way, God calls you to be holy in your office, in your kitchen, in your classroom. Holiness is not a garment reserved for special occasions. It is the daily attire of everyone who belongs to Him.
These dietary laws also remind us that faith is not just found in distant temples but at our dining table. Not only in sacred rituals, but in everyday decisions. The true measure of our faith is not how pious we seem on Sunday, but the choices we make on Monday.
Reflection:
Do I subconsciously think of holiness as something that only pastors or full-time ministers need to pursue? Have I labeled myself as “just a layperson” and lowered my pursuit of holiness? Do the choices I make in entertainment or recreation really strengthen my body, mind, and soul, or are they slowly draining my love for God and others?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, I confess that I often treat holiness as someone else’s responsibility. I’ve divided my life into “spiritual” and “ordinary” parts. Please forgive me for this divided view of faith. Today, help me see that my room is a sanctuary, my office is an altar, and every day is a living sacrifice. Shine Your light on the areas of my life that are not fully surrendered to You. Teach me to offer myself wholly, and to live a life set apart for You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.