Leviticus 11:9-12

(2) SEAFOOD 11:9-12
TEXT 11:9-12

9

These may ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, that may ye eat.

10

And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of all the living creatures that are in the waters, they are an abomination unto you,

11

and they shall be an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, and their carcasses ye shall have in abomination.

12

Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that is an abomination unto you.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 11:9-12

205.

Why not eat cat fish?

206.

Wouldn-'t this limit their choice?

207.

How could this apply to those who lived inland?

PARAPHRASE 11:9-12

As to fish, you may eat whatever has fins and scales, whether taken from rivers or from the sea; but all other water creatures are strictly forbidden to you. You mustn-'t eat their meat or even touch their dead bodies. I-'ll repeat it againany water creature that does not have fins or scales is forbidden to you.

COMMENT 11:9-12

Leviticus 11:9-12 Once again the prohibition is for your health as well as disciplinary reasons. All fish with fins and scales would be nutritioussurely this did give Israel a wide variety of seafood. We need to remember that several of the tribes when their allotment was given them lived by the seaside, either of the Mediterranean or the Sea of Galilee. The other tribes lived near enough to streams of water to be able to exercise this regulation. For those who were commercially engaged the Lord evidenced His care over the spiritual and physical health of the seaman and fishers of Israel. It tried their faith when they needed to cast away whatever unclean fish they had enclosed in their net. Some, indeed might reckon such minute and arbitrary rules as these to be trifling. But the principle involved in obedience or disobedience was none other than the same principle which was tried in Eden at the foot of the forbidden tree. It was really thisIs the Lord to be obeyed in all things whatsoever He commands? Is He a holy lawgiver? Are His creatures bound to give implicit assent to His will? (Ibid.)

When the Lord was recognized as one of infinite love and mercyOne of joy and peace, such regulations would then be regarded as what they were: expressions of concern and care for those whom He loved. Most of all the Creator wanted to fill land, sea and air with tangible evidence of His sovereignty and holiness. When a son of Jacob ate a fish or an animal or fowl with the thought, How good of God to let me know what was the very best of food! then God's purpose was fulfilled. Unfortunately Satan was ever ready to suggest that the reason God refused some food was because it was the best, He is really selfish and hates you. He is holding out the best for Himself. What a terrible lie! and yet it is told and believed every day.

FACT QUESTIONS 11:9-12

258.

Read a map and name the tribes to whom this regulation had particular application.

259.

Show how this related to the economic and social life of Israel.

260.

Aren-'t these really rather trifling regulations?

261.

Show how this relates to today.