S) "17 It is a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwellings: you shall not eat any fat or any blood."
Leviticus 3:17 (NASB)
O) This command was under the old covenant Law, and Jesus was specific about food being made clean under the new covenant (see Matthew 15:11), so it must be read in context. The command about the blood is explained in greater detail in Leviticus 17:10-16, but the command about the fat is not so clearly explained. As far as I can tell, there are only two other places (aside from Leviticus 7, which again gives the command about not eating the fat, but doesn't give explanation as to why). In Ezekiel 39, the prophet is told to tell birds and beasts, that God is preparing a sacrifice for them of the men of war who will receive His wrath. He describes that the wild animals eat the flesh, blood, and fat of the men who are to die. A little before that, in Ezekiel 34, God is speaking against the leadership of Israel, saying that the shepherds of the people, "eat the fat and clothe [themselves] with wool, [they] slaughter the fat sheep without feeding the flock." God has clearly separated - sanctified - the act of eating fat. It is only to be consumed as part of a sacrifice, and only as He ordains.
A) Just like any other part of the Law of Moses, I must remember that this is not directly applicable. As I noted, Jesus was very clear that unclean food was no longer to be considered. But, this is an important reminder of God's sovereignty. If this really is a matter where He had set a standard, that only He was worthy to eat the fat, and consuming the fat of an animal was sacrificial by its nature, that can easily be seen as elitist. It's an easy trap to think that God is on a "power trip." But, what I must remember, is that He is omnipotent. God does not need to convince Himself of how powerful He is. If any convincing is being done, He is convincing me. If God says something is only for Him, then I must humbly acquiesce to His requirement. I may not get an explanation for why He wants things a certain way. Maybe He explicitly explains it (as with the blood), or maybe I'd have to really dig to find any remotely relevant context clues, but I don't deserve an explanation. I also don't need an explanation to obey His will. He is God, He can do what He wants.
P) Father, Your power and might are too great for me to really comprehend. I am thankful to know enough, to know that I am hopelessly helpless. To call myself weak, relative to Your strength, is an insult to language. I can't even compare myself to You, and woe to me if I try. Let me forever be humbled by Your awesome power. If You command certain things, even if I never understand why, let me immediately humble myself and submit to Your authority and rule. Forgive me of my pride, and help me humble myself, bending my neck before I am broken. Let Your will be done. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment