In Leviticus 11:13-1913And 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, 14And the vulture, and the kite after his kind; 15Every raven after his kind; 16And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind, 17And the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl, 18And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle, 19And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat. (Leviticus 11:13‑19), we have a description of the various birds which the Israelites were not permitted to eat. There are spiritual lessons for us as Christians in these birds and their character.
“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, and the vulture, and the kite after his kind; every raven after his kind; and the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind, and the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl, and the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle, and the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat” (Lev. 11:13-1913And 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, 14And the vulture, and the kite after his kind; 15Every raven after his kind; 16And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind, 17And the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl, 18And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle, 19And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat. (Leviticus 11:13‑19)).
Of course, the rendering of these names is approximate, and some of the names do not occur anywhere else. Nor is there any aim at scientific terminology, but a practical direction for Jehovah’s people, with a moral application now for faith.
Qualities Hateful to God
Many birds of the heaven are characterized by qualities hateful to God for those whom He takes into relationship with Himself; others are unsuited to be the food of mankind. What can be more opposed to His character than fierceness of birds of prey toward the living and the insatiable greed of vultures toward the dead?
The utility of these last as scavengers, in the actual condition of a fallen world, may be of great value in removing dead carcasses. However, if the Israelite was forbidden to make such birds his food, the Christian is to have no fellowship with ways morally similar, but to avoid and reprove them. If some of these birds boldly seek their prey by day, others find their congenial pursuits in the darkness of the night. There are birds as remarkable for lack of family affection as others are for loving care. But in man, what value is even this if there is no fear of God? Some birds are of towering pride, others of loathsome lust after the unclean; some are known as of plain exterior, others of attractive beauty; some have quiet habits and natural kindness, while others are boisterous, tricky or otherwise offensive. But all symbolize traits with which we should avoid all communion. Christ is to be our food.
Sanctification From Uncleanness
“Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Rom. 12:16-1916Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. (Romans 12:16‑19)).
“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from among you, with all malice; and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Eph. 4:28-3228Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:28‑32)).
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself up for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-Top of Form
Bottom of Form
smelling savor. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient, but rather giving of thanks. ... Be not ye therefore partakers with them” (Eph. 5:1-4,71Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor. 3But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. (Ephesians 5:1‑4)
7Be not ye therefore partakers with them. (Ephesians 5:7)).
But why cite more, when Scripture so largely speaks similar language? Having Christ as our life, we are taught to feed on that heavenly bread, for His flesh is true food and His blood is true drink. Such is the communion that sustains the Christian. What is of the first man is poor food, wholly unsuited and injurious to the new man.
W. Kelly (adapted)