July 26, 2025
DAILY BIBLE READING
Leviticus 11 – God’s Standard for Purity
Learning to distinguish between what pleases God—and what defiles us

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Bible Text – Leviticus 11 (KJV)

¹ And the Lord spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying unto them,

² Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth.

³ Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.

⁴ Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.

⁵ And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.

⁶ And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.

⁷ And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you.

⁸ Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.

⁹ These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall 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 any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you:

¹¹ They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcases in abomination.

¹² Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you.

¹³ And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,

¹⁴ And the vulture, and the kite after his kind;

¹⁵ Every raven after his kind;

¹⁶ And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,

¹⁷ And the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl,

¹⁸ And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle,

¹⁹ And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.

²⁰ All fowls that creep, going upon all four, shall be an abomination unto you.

²¹ Yet these may ye eat of every flying creeping thing that goeth upon all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth;

²² Even these of them ye may eat; the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the grasshopper after his kind.

²³ But all other flying creeping things, which have four feet, shall be an abomination unto you.

²⁴ And for these ye shall be unclean: whosoever toucheth the carcase of them shall be unclean until the even.

²⁵ And whosoever beareth ought of the carcase of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even.

²⁶ The carcases of every beast which divideth the hoof, and is not clovenfooted, nor cheweth the cud, are unclean unto you: every one that toucheth them shall be unclean.

²⁷ And whatsoever goeth upon his paws, among all manner of beasts that go on all four, those are unclean unto you: whoso toucheth their carcase shall be unclean until the even.

²⁸ And he that beareth the carcase of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: they are unclean unto you.

²⁹ These also shall be unclean unto you among the creeping things that creep upon the earth; the weasel, and the mouse, and the tortoise after his kind,

³⁰ And the ferret, and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole.

³¹ These are unclean to you among all that creep: whosoever doth touch them, when they be dead, shall be unclean until the even.

³² And upon whatsoever any of them, when they are dead, doth fall, it shall be unclean; whether it be any vessel of wood, or raiment, or skin, or sack, whatsoever vessel it be, wherein any work is done, it must be put into water, and it shall be unclean until the even; so it shall be cleansed.

³³ And every earthen vessel, whereinto any of them falleth, whatsoever is in it shall be unclean; and ye shall break it.

³⁴ Of all meat which may be eaten, that on which such water cometh shall be unclean: and all drink that may be drunk in every such vessel shall be unclean.

³⁵ And every thing whereupon any part of their carcase falleth shall be unclean; whether it be oven, or ranges for pots, they shall be broken down: for they are unclean and shall be unclean unto you.

³⁶ Nevertheless a fountain or pit, wherein there is plenty of water, shall be clean: but that which toucheth their carcase shall be unclean.

³⁷ And if any part of their carcase fall upon any sowing seed which is to be sown, it shall be clean.

³⁸ But if any water be put upon the seed, and any part of their carcase fall thereon, it shall be unclean unto you.

³⁹ And if any beast, of which ye may eat, die; he that toucheth the carcase thereof shall be unclean until the even.

⁴⁰ And he that eateth of the carcase of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: he also that beareth the carcase of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even.

⁴¹ And every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth shall be an abomination; it shall not be eaten.

⁴² Whatsoever goeth upon the belly, and whatsoever goeth upon all four, or whatsoever hath more feet among all creeping things that creep upon the earth, them ye shall not eat; for they are an abomination.

⁴³ Ye shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creepeth, neither shall ye make yourselves unclean with them, that ye should be defiled thereby.

⁴⁴ For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

⁴⁵ For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.

⁴⁶ This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth:

⁴⁷ To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten.

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Introduction

Leviticus chapter 11 may at first glance look like an outdated list of dietary rules. But on closer inspection we see that God here reveals His holiness and His desire to set His people apart from all that is unclean. These regulations had both health and spiritual significance—and they show us today how seriously God takes purity of life.

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Commentary

1.Distinguishing clean from unclean (vv. 1–23)

God draws a clear line between animals that may be eaten (clean) and those that must be avoided (unclean). The criteria (e.g., chewing the cud and having split hooves) are objective, not arbitrary.
Lesson: Not everything that exists is good for you.

2.Handling carcasses and impurity (vv. 24–40)

God lays down rules for dealing with dead animals. Even touching a carcass renders one unclean—it requires washing, waiting, and separation.
Application: Sin works the same way—its touch contaminates, not just its consumption.

3.Spiritual significance of purity (vv. 41–47)

Here we find the key verse (v. 44):
“For I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy.”
God calls for a holy people who adopt His standards rather than the world’s. Purity begins in the heart but shows itself in every aspect of life—diet, hygiene, daily conduct.

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Summary

Leviticus 11 is not merely a chapter about dietary laws—it is a chapter about discernment, holiness, and accountability before God. He instructs His people how to live apart, not to elevate themselves, but to bear His presence. This purity served not only the body but expressed a spiritual posture:
“I will allow nothing into my life that separates me from God.”

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Message for Us Today

Although many Old Testament dietary laws are not binding under the New Covenant (cf. Acts 10), God’s call to live as a pure, consecrated people remains. Today that means asking not only, “May I do this?” but, “Does this draw me closer to God—or push me away?”
God still calls:
“Come out from among them and be separate!” (2 Corinthians 6:17)

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Reflection Questions

• What do I allow into my life that defiles me—through my eyes, my ears, or my daily routines?

• Am I willing to obey God even in seemingly “small” matters?

• Purity is not old‑fashioned—it is the key to intimacy with God.

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July 20 – 26, 2025
WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING
Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 18
The Night of Wrestling
Read online here

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Introduction

The story of Jacob is a story of hope for everyone who has ever wrestled with guilt, fear, or doubt. Jacob, who once gained the birthright through deceit, returns after years of exile—marked, repentant, but changed. Before him lies a confrontation with his brother Esau—a man who would have every reason to seek revenge.

On the night at the river Jabbok, the decisive turning point comes. There, Jacob wrestles—not just with an angel, but with his past, his guilt, and his God.

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Commentary

1. Jacob’s Return: Between Promise and Fear

Jacob follows God’s call back to the Promised Land, but fear of Esau paralyzes him. Despite divine promises, he wrestles inwardly with the guilt of his past.

“Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed.” – Genesis 32:7

He does everything humanly possible: sends messengers, prepares gifts, divides his flock. But he knows: it’s not enough. He needs God’s intervention.

2. The Night at Jabbok – Wrestling with God

In solitude, Jacob does not flee—he prays. He longs to meet God. Then a mysterious opponent appears—an all-night struggle begins.

No words, just physical wrestling.

But soon it becomes clear: this is more than a man—it is a heavenly being—the Angel of the Covenant, Christ Himself (cf. Malachi 3:1).

Jacob holds on—despite the wound to his hip—and clings to the angel, not asking for power, but for blessing.

“I will not let you go unless you bless me.” – Genesis 32:26

What began as a physical struggle becomes a spiritual victory: Jacob confesses his guilt, pleads for grace, and receives a new name—Israel.

3. The Morning After – From Fear to Reconciliation

Jacob meets Esau—not as a deceiver, but as one marked by God. He limps, but his face shines. And Esau? Instead of anger, he shows grace.

“But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.” – Genesis 33:4

God’s grace touched two hearts: Jacob’s—and Esau’s.

4. A Prophetic Image – Jacob’s Time of Trouble

Ellen White interprets Jacob’s night of wrestling as a foreshadowing of the end time:

God’s people will go through a time of trouble (cf. Jeremiah 30:5–7).

Satan will accuse them, pressing them down with guilt.

But like Jacob, they will cling to God’s promises—despite fear, despite weakness—and God’s grace will carry them.

“Those who, like Jacob, hold fast to God’s promises, will find them fulfilled.” – Patriarchs and Prophets

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Summary

Jacob wrestles with God—and is blessed.

From deceiver to overcomer: Israel—“he who struggles with God and prevails.”

God’s grace overcomes guilt—not to separate, but to reconcile.

Jacob’s story is also our story: fear, struggle, forgiveness, and new identity in Christ.

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Message for Us Today

Is there something that separates you from God? Jacob shows: genuine repentance is heard.

In the troubles of your life: don’t rely on people, but on God’s promises.

The faith that wrestles through will not be disappointed.

God blesses not the strongest—but those who hold on to Him.

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Reflection Question

What are you wrestling with today? Fear, guilt, doubt?

Are you willing not to let go of God—even if you are wounded?

What promise holds you when everything else falls apart?

“I will not let you go unless you bless me.” – Let these words be your prayer today.

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July 20 – 26, 2025
WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING
Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 19
The Return to Canaan
Read online here

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Introduction

Jacob’s return to Canaan is marked by fulfilled promises, inner renewal—but also by the tragic failures of his sons. The matured patriarch experiences both God’s grace and the consequences of past mistakes within his family. In this chapter of his life, we learn how closely divine blessing is tied to personal responsibility.

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Commentary

1. Gratitude and Worship in Shechem

Jacob arrives “safely” in Shechem—a testimony that God has kept His promise. He buys land, builds an altar, and publicly confesses: “God is the God of Israel.” His faith is seen in daily life through worship, sacrifice, and gratitude.

2. Dinah’s Tragedy and the Massacre at Shechem (Genesis 34)

The incident with Dinah reveals how dangerous it is to open oneself to the influence of a godless culture. The brutal revenge carried out by Simeon and Levi brings shame upon the family. Jacob perceives the moral decline of his sons and is deeply shaken. This episode marks a dramatic setback on their spiritual journey.

3. Purification and Return to Bethel

God calls Jacob back to the place of promise. But before reaching Bethel, Jacob leads a spiritual reformation in the camp. Idols and foreign jewelry are buried—a symbol of renewed consecration. In Bethel, God appears to him again and renews the covenant.

4. Tragedies Along the Way: The Deaths of Deborah and Rachel

The final stages are marked by loss. Rachel dies during Benjamin’s birth—a profound sorrow for Jacob. Her love had shaped his life. The death of Rebekah’s nurse, Deborah, stirs up old memories. At the same time, God calls Jacob again to faithfulness.

5. Return to Hebron – Reconciliation with Esau

Jacob meets Isaac again and cares for him in his final years. A peaceful reunion also occurs with Esau. However, the brothers live separately, as their life paths have grown too different.

6. The Legacy of Parenting: Joseph and His Brothers (Genesis 37)

The effects of jealousy, favoritism, and a polygamous family structure are now painfully visible. Joseph is the child of hope—sensitive, God-fearing—but also the target of his brothers’ hatred. His sale into Egypt becomes the next phase of God’s redemptive plan.

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Summary

Jacob returns under God’s protection to the Promised Land. He experiences God’s faithfulness but also faces family conflicts, sin, and painful losses. His sons reveal deep character flaws—especially in their betrayal of Joseph. Yet amid the chaos, God’s plan begins to unfold through Joseph, whom He will save and elevate.

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Message for Us Today

God’s promises are fulfilled—even when our path leads through guilt and suffering.
Families need spiritual leadership and purity—compromise comes at a high cost.
Repentance, cleansing, and returning to God bring a new beginning.
Our choices affect generations—for blessing or pain.
What people intend for evil, God can still turn to good.

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Reflection Question

Are there “foreign gods” in your life—things that crowd out your devotion to God?
Where is God calling you back to a “Bethel moment” of renewal?
Is your home a place where God is worshipped—daily, visibly, together?
Are you letting God shape you—even through your past mistakes?

“God never turns away anyone who returns to Him in sincere repentance.”