Why is it important to study Old Testament laws like Leviticus 11:30 today? Setting the Scene Leviticus 11 is God’s detailed instruction on clean and unclean animals. Nestled in that chapter is Leviticus 11:30: “the gecko, the monitor lizard, the wall lizard, the skink, and the chameleon.” Why Pay Attention to Verses about Lizards? • God put every verse in Scripture on purpose; nothing is filler. • Jesus said, “For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished” (Matthew 5:18). • Paul reminded Timothy that “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable” (2 Timothy 3:16). “All” includes Leviticus 11:30. What We Learn about God’s Character • Holiness: Repetition of “unclean” underscores God’s pure nature (Leviticus 11:44–45). • Authority: He alone defines right and wrong, clean and unclean. • Attention to detail: Nothing escapes His notice, even small reptiles. How the Law Points Us to Christ • Separation Highlighted → Reconciliation Needed – The clean/unclean divide reveals humanity’s deeper impurity (Romans 3:23). – Christ “fulfilled” the Law, tearing down the barrier (Ephesians 2:14-15). • Sacrifice Foreshadowed → Savior Supplied – Old Testament purification rituals anticipated the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus (Hebrews 10:1-10). Practical Value for Today • Moral Clarity: Recognizing that God still calls His people to be distinct (1 Peter 1:15-16). • Healthy Discernment: While food laws were set aside in Acts 10:9-16, the principle of evaluating what enters our lives—physically or spiritually—remains. • Worshipful Gratitude: Understanding the weight of these regulations magnifies thankfulness for Christ’s freeing work (Galatians 5:1). • Biblical Literacy: Knowing the Law enriches reading of the Prophets, Gospels, and Epistles, where these themes resurface. Guidelines for Studying Old Testament Laws 1. Read them in context—note narrative flow from Exodus to Deuteronomy. 2. Trace fulfillment—observe how Jesus addresses each category (Matthew 5, Mark 7). 3. Identify abiding principles—holiness, justice, mercy, stewardship. 4. Let Scripture interpret Scripture—compare Leviticus 11 with Acts 10 and Hebrews 9. Closing Thoughts Even a verse cataloging geckos reminds us that God is holy, detail-oriented, and committed to preparing a people for Himself. The more we grasp these Old Testament laws, the more deeply we appreciate the cross, the resurrection, and the call to live set-apart lives today. |
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