Sunday, February 21, 2010

February 21

Today's Reading

Leviticus. Today's passage contains some of the dietary laws God gave His people to keep them physically healthy. Some research has shown the benefits of these. A great book on the food subject is called The Maker's Diet. Hmmm. I wonder if kosher markets are selling locusts and beans instead of pork and beans.

Can anyone doubt the compassion of Jesus after reading Mark today?

Psalms. Paul wrote in Romans that we should not be conformed to this world. The first time we commit a heinous sin -- something which deeply violates our own conscience -- we can feel exactly like what this passage says. I have been there. Have you?

I want to always be open to instruction. That's because I believe Proverbs.

Fire away, you guys. I love your insights and ponder your questions.

8 comments:

  1. I could comment on another one of my wonderings - why was it that a woman who gave birth had to wait longer before she was ceremonially clean if she had a girl, but it wasn't as long of a wait if she had a boy . . .
    But, I'm going to comment on the compassion of Jesus in Mark. I've always known about this story, but until I taught this one in Sunday School, I had never really thought about it. I love this story. I imagine this lady as one who didn't have any more hope - the doctor referrals had run out, the doctors she had visited either had a weak explanation for her sickness or they didn't have an explanation. I wonder if her family had abandoned her because of her "uncleanness" (is that a word?)Jesus was her only hope. "If I just touch His clothes, I will be healed." That is an awesome statement of faith.

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  2. I, also, was "wondering" on the double length (66 to 33 days) for girls v boys. In regard to the diet, all I can say for sure is, I am most thankful that I live under the Grace of Jesus - though I sometimes have a twinge of conscience when I eat shrimp, which is about the only shell fish I eat these days.
    Psalm 38:15 - "For I am waiting for you, O Lord". The marvelous faith of the Psalmist, David. This verse touched me deeply today.

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  3. Seems we all have the same question.

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  4. Why do we follow some of the Old Testament laws but not all of them? Take the Kosher foods for example, most Judeo Christians no longer eat only a Kosher diet. How do I know which laws I should be abiding by and which laws were more appropriate to the people of that time? I understand we live by grace, and I think this topic is where some Christians turn to legalism.

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  5. You ladies are tough today! Regarding your first question, I can't answer the "why" of it, but I heard a long time ago about a study that was done to determine risk factors for uterine cancer. The study included one group of women who had almost no incidence of it. They were the conservative Jewish group who have strictly lived by the Old Testament dietary and health laws.

    Regarding the question of which laws to follow and which we are free from, I think there were at least three types of laws. First were the laws of behavior that are sins against the holiness of God. Second were laws related to Old Testament worship. Third were laws related to health. Obviously, the first group doesn't change any more than God's character changes. The second group is different because Christ has fulfilled them and we come to God through Him. The third group seems to be related to living in the times and conditions of that era; however, following them might make all of us a lot healthier. We have medicines now that didn't exist back then, but we a learning that every health problem can't be fixed by a bottle of pills.

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  6. But that doesn't explain why the women had to wait 66 days if they gave birth to a girl, only 33 days if they gave birth to a girl. Did the study say there was more incidence of uterine cancer if a girl was born? Is that why the women had to wait longer if a girl was born, to make sure they were pure, or disease free?

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  7. The question is way out of my league, Roberta, and I am quoting something that I heard about over 20 years ago. From what I remember, there is a difference internally in the birth mother after bearing a female vs. a male. I think that this was obviously a law related to health and could be affected by modern medicine.

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  8. That makes a little sense, and of course God knew the internal difference. I appreciate all the effort you put into this. It is much more interesting to read your insights and the comments of our other Companions. Have a great week!

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