LAWS AND LIFE IN ISRAEL

 Bill Fitzhenry's Thoughts For Today…

Understanding important truths from the Bible…. 

LAWS AND LIFE IN ISRAEL 

Leviticus 11:1;2

Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying to them,

² “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘These are the animals which you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth: 

Leviticus 14:54-57

⁵⁴ “This is the law for any leprous sore and scale,

⁵⁵ for the leprosy of a garment and of a house,

⁵⁶ for a swelling and a scab and a bright spot,

⁵⁷ to teach when it is unclean and when it is clean. This is the law of leprosy.” 

The Nobel Prize for Literature in 1978 was won by the Jewish writer Isaac Bashivis Singer.  He was uniquely qualified to write about the Jews.  He wrote in Yiddish and all of his writings had to be translated.  There were a number of things which were evident in his writings. 

There is left little wonder why the Jews were so despised by the nations in which they had communities.  They were haughty, isolationist, selfish, and proud to the point of disgust.  But due to their laws of cleanliness, dietary laws, and general laws of health they were a far more healthy and prosperous people.  He does not make them appear more moral.  Their morality for what it was,  was demonstrated differently. 

Due to their laws of consanguinity Jews did not experience the ravages of mental and physical health that came with genetic and viral deficiencies that were so prevalent where incest and continued marriage between close relations were common. Their laws of cleanliness, both ritual and practical, made plagues and epidemics rare in their communities. 

The laws governing food were a part of general escape from many diseases and some of the plagues experienced around them.  No animal was sacred to the Jews.  Rodents and other disease carrying animals were not protected and were destroyed if possible.  Their animals were culled according to their directions for sacrifice.  Though they no longer had blood sacrifices the laws of animal health and good genetics were a part of their culture. 

All of these benefits were direct results of the Levitical law of cleansing and purity.  That this was always intended should never be denied.  But that it was the primary intention of Mosaic institution is just not so. 

Israel had laws governing the whole of their life.  Their clothes, their food, their housing, the treatment and value of their livestock, their sexual relationship, and social involvement with the nations around them was all strictly regulated.  This was done primarily to make Israel understand, and all believers who followed up to now and forever, that God is sovereign over every aspect of our existence.  They and we have no point in our living that is not to be submitted completely unto God.  I Cor. 10:31  Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God  

The laws given Israel may appear to us to be extremely strange.  But even at that they were practical.  There were none that were fanciful.  There were no sensual incantations, no offerings to the elements, no human self-immolation, and no fanciful harassment by strange spirits.  Time and trial were their guarantee of patience, wisdom, and consideration in every circumstance.  And they understood the value but also the necessity of protecting their community.  This is a great lesson for us.  The value of the church in its testimony and purity is more important than the protection of an individual if he is in any way destructive to the body.  Galatians 2:11   Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed. 

Application:

1.  The Believers must accept the rules in the Bible which govern their lives.
2. All laws God gives will be found to be for His glory, growth of the Kingdom, and the believer’s well-being.  Romans 8:28   And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.