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How Did All the Animals Fit on Noah’s Ark?

Noah’s Ark was essentially a large, three-decked vessel, described in the Bible as being 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high.

Genesis 6:13-15 says:
“God said to Noah, ‘The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence; I will destroy them along with the earth. Make yourself an ark of gopher wood; make rooms in the ark and cover it inside and out with pitch. This is how you shall make it: 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high.'”

In modern measurements, this is roughly:

  • Length: 137 meters
  • Width: 23 meters
  • Height: 14 meters

To give perspective, the Ark was comparable in size to today’s large cargo ships.

But this raises a common question: how could all the animals fit on the Ark, given the countless species in the world? There are four important points to consider:

  1. Only a few of each species were brought. Most animals were brought in pairs, and some in sevens. So the total number of animals on board was far smaller than we might imagine.
  2. Likely, only the young or smaller animals were brought. This would allow room for all creatures to survive the journey without overcrowding.
  3. Animals were brought “according to their kinds” (Genesis 6:20). This doesn’t mean every variety or breed of each species had to enter the Ark. For example, one “kind” of dog could represent all dog breeds, which later diversified after leaving the Ark—similar to how all humans descend from one man and one woman, yet today we see a vast diversity of peoples around the world.
  4. God is capable of what humans cannot do. Even if all varieties and families of animals were on the Ark, God could preserve them. Just as He can preserve millions of human seeds in one man, or allow a woman to carry nine children at once, He could easily sustain all living creatures in the Ark. God’s power is limitless.

The bigger lesson: God’s purposes are never limited by size, circumstance, or seeming impossibility. A small number of creatures on the Ark eventually led to the abundance of life we see today. Likewise, no matter how restricted your time, your situation, or your resources may seem, nothing can stop God’s plan through you.

Even the Apostle Paul, while imprisoned and prevented from preaching in other lands, wrote letters that continue to spread the Gospel far more effectively than some of his visits ever did.

Trust in God’s power wherever you are. Circumstances do not define His ability to work through you.

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Question: If someone sins during a fast, does it invalidate the fast? For example, if a person commits a sin like adultery, is the fast considered broken?

 

Answer: To understand this, it is essential to grasp the spiritual purpose of fasting. Fasting is not merely abstaining from food; it is a spiritual discipline designed to weaken the desires of the flesh and strengthen the influence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Apostle Paul explains this tension between the flesh and the spirit:

Galatians 5:16–17 (ESV):
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want.”

When someone eats or indulges in bodily desires during a fast, they submit to the flesh rather than the Spirit, thereby breaking the fast. The same principle applies to sins such as adultery. Sexual immorality is not only a spiritual violation but also a bodily one, directly opposing the purpose of fasting, which is to bring the body under the guidance of the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV):
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.”

This passage shows that sexual sin is intimately connected to the body, meaning that committing such a sin during a fast directly contradicts the spiritual goal of subduing the flesh.

Additional Theological Insights:

  1. Fasting as Spiritual Warfare: Fasting is a tool for spiritual breakthrough (Matthew 17:21, KJV: “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting”). When we sin during a fast, we undermine the spiritual authority we are meant to exercise.

  2. Repentance Restores Spiritual Alignment: Scripture teaches that broken fellowship with God caused by sin can be restored through repentance. True repentance involves a heartfelt turning away from sin (1 John 1:9, ESV: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”). After repentance, one may resume fasting under the Spirit’s guidance.

  3. Fasting and Holiness: Fasting is a form of sanctification—a way to honor God with our bodies. When the body is involved in sin during a fast, it defiles the intended holy purpose. Thus, restoring the fast requires intentional repentance and renewed consecration to God.

Practical Application: Anyone who sins during a fast, especially a sin like sexual immorality, should immediately repent, seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and consider fasting again at a later time with renewed spiritual focus.

May the Lord give us strength to walk in the Spirit, control the desires of the flesh, and honor Him through our fasting.

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What Was the Veil of the Testimony Like, and What Is Its Spiritual Meaning


Leviticus 24:3 says,
“Outside the veil of the testimony, in the tent of meeting, Aaron shall arrange it from evening until morning before the LORD continually; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations.”

The “Veil of the Testimony” (also called the “Curtain”) was a heavy, finely woven curtain that divided the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (or Holy of Holies) in the Tabernacle (Exodus 26:31-33). The Most Holy Place was where the Ark of the Covenant the visible symbol of God’s presence and His covenant with Israel was kept (Exodus 25:10-22).

Theological significance:
The veil physically separated God’s holiness from sinful humanity, emphasizing that sinful man could not enter God’s immediate presence freely. The Most Holy Place was considered the dwelling place of God’s glory (Shekinah), and only the high priest could enter once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) to make atonement for the sins of Israel (Leviticus 16).

When the Israelites traveled, they dismantled the Tabernacle. To protect the Ark from exposure, God commanded that the veil be used to cover it during transport (Numbers 4:5-6). This demonstrated reverence and the sacredness of God’s presence, even in transit.

Numbers 4:5 says,

“When they set out, Aaron shall enter the tent of meeting and take down the veil of the screen and cover the ark of the testimony with it.”

Spiritually, the veil symbolizes the barrier that sin places between humanity and God. Under the Old Covenant, access to God’s presence was restricted and mediated through the priesthood and sacrifices, which only covered sins temporarily (Hebrews 9:7).

The tearing of the veil:
At Jesus’ death, the veil was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:50-51 ESV), signifying the removal of this barrier not by human effort but by God’s sovereign act.

Matthew 27:50-51 says,

“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.”

This event revealed that through Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10), believers now have direct access to God’s presence.

Hebrews 4:14-16 encourages believers,

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

This grace and access were longed for by Old Testament saints but were only made fully available through Christ (Hebrews 11:13).

A sobering warning:
Because of this amazing grace, rejecting or profaning it is a grave matter.

Hebrews 10:29 warns,

“How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?”

Summary:
The veil was a tangible symbol of separation caused by sin, but through Christ’s death and resurrection, that separation has been removed. Now, all who believe can approach God’s throne of grace with confidence. This is a profound gift that calls for reverence, faithfulness, and gratitude.

May God help us to live in the light of this grace and never take it for granted.


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Do Angels Have Flesh and Blood?


Question: Do angels have flesh, blood, and bones like we humans do?

Answer: Angels do have bodies, but their nature is fundamentally different from ours. Unlike human bodies, which are created from the dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7), angels are spirit beings created by God with heavenly, spiritual bodies (Hebrews 1:14).

Because angels have heavenly bodies made from spiritual substance, they possess greater power and glory than our earthly, physical bodies. Their bodies do not grow tired, become sick, or die. They do not experience the limitations or weaknesses that come with our earthly flesh.

Paul explains this distinction between earthly and heavenly bodies:

“There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another.”
1 Corinthians 15:40 (NIV)

This verse highlights the different “glory” or nature of heavenly beings compared to earthly ones.

Angelic Appearances in Human Form
Although angels are spiritual beings, they can take on a visible, human-like form when God sends them to interact with people. We see examples of this in the Bible where angels appeared as men (Genesis 18:1-3; Genesis 32:24-30; Joshua 5:13-15). This manifestation is temporary and serves a specific divine purpose.

Human Bodies vs. Angelic Bodies
Our human bodies, made from dust, are limited they grow, age, and are subject to death (Psalm 103:14). We cannot transform into other forms of life or spiritual beings on our own. Physical changes in humans are only external (size, shape, age) and do not affect our essential nature as mortal, earthly beings.

The Christian Hope of a Transformed Body
For those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, there is a glorious promise: one day, at the resurrection, our earthly bodies will be transformed to be like the heavenly, glorified bodies of the angels—immortal, incorruptible, and free from sin and decay. This is the “new creation” God promises to His people (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Paul describes this future transformation:

“Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—
in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.”
1 Corinthians 15:51-53 (NIV)

Jesus also said that in the resurrection, people will be like angels, neither marrying nor being given in marriage (Matthew 22:30). This shows that the resurrected life will be fundamentally different from our current earthly existence.

So, do angels have flesh and blood like us?
The answer is no. Their bodies are not physical in the way ours are they are spiritual, immortal, and do not require blood or flesh as we understand it.

Personal Reflection:
Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Are you living with the hope of this promised transformation? If you are outside of Christ when you die, Scripture teaches that you will not share in this resurrection of glory (John 3:16-18; Romans 6:23).

May God help us all to embrace this wonderful promise of new, glorified bodies and eternal life.

God bless you.


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Do Angels Have Leaders?


Question: Do the holy angels in heaven have leaders, just like we humans have leaders who guide us?

Answer: Yes. Just as humans have leadership here on earth, Scripture reveals that angels also have leadership roles in heaven. This means some angels are appointed as leaders, while others are not.

Biblical Evidence of Angelic Leadership

One clear example is Michael, who is explicitly identified as a leading angel. In Revelation 12:7-8 (NIV), we read:

“Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven.”

Here, Michael is shown as the chief warrior angel leading the heavenly forces against Satan and his followers. This clearly implies a hierarchical structure among angels.

Additionally, in Jude 1:9 (NIV), Michael is called the archangel:

“But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’”

The title “archangel” literally means “chief angel” or “principal angel,” highlighting Michael’s leadership and authority among the angelic beings.

The Angelic Commander in Joshua

Another significant example is found in the Old Testament, where Joshua meets the “Commander of the Lord’s army.” In Joshua 5:13-15 (NIV):

“Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing before him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, ‘Are you for us or for our enemies?’
‘Neither,’ he replied, ‘but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.’
Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, ‘What message does my Lord have for his servant?’
The commander of the Lord’s army said, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.’ And Joshua did so.”

This “Commander” is commonly understood to be a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ or a high-ranking angelic being tasked with leading God’s heavenly armies. The title “commander” (Hebrew sar, meaning leader or prince) indicates authority over other angelic beings.

Angels Are Leaders But Not to Be Worshiped

While the Bible clearly teaches there is leadership among angels, it also emphasizes that angels are not to be worshiped or adored. Worship is due to God alone.

Colossians 2:18 (NIV) warns:

“Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.”

Worshiping angels is considered a false practice that can lead believers astray. Angels are servants of God, sent to minister to believers (Hebrews 1:14), but they are not divine themselves.

The Only One Worthy of Worship Is God

Scripture makes it clear that only God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — is worthy of worship, praise, and reverence.

Jesus Christ is the one believers are called to trust, follow, and serve.


In summary:

  • Angels have leaders, such as Michael the archangel.
  • There is a clear hierarchy among angelic beings.
  • Angels are powerful ministers of God but not objects of worship.
  • Worship belongs to God alone.

Shalom.

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How Did the Lord Jesus Eat Butter and Milk?

(Based on Isaiah 7:14-15, ESV)
Question:

The prophecy in Isaiah says the Lord Jesus would eat butter and milk. How was this prophecy fulfilled?


Answer:
To understand this, we need to explore the meaning of this prophecy and how it relates to Jesus’ life and ministry.

Isaiah 7:14-15 (ESV) says:
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good.”

Here, “curds” (translated also as “butter” or “rich milk products”) and “honey” symbolize nourishment and abundance. Butter comes from milk, and Proverbs 30:33 (ESV) states,
“The stirring of milk produces curds, and stirring violence produces strife.”
This shows that butter (curds) comes directly from milk. Therefore, the phrase “butter and honey” poetically represents “milk and honey,” a biblical symbol of blessing and prosperity.


The Theological Meaning of “Milk and Honey” in Scripture

The phrase “a land flowing with milk and honey” is repeatedly used in the Old Testament to describe the Promised Land — a place of God’s provision, blessing, and abundance.

For example, Numbers 14:8 (ESV) says,
“If the Lord delights in us, then he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey.”

This land was not just materially rich but spiritually significant: it was God’s promise of rest, provision, and blessing for His people. Milk and honey symbolize God’s abundant provision and the sweetness of His covenant blessings.


Jesus’ Journey from Egypt and the Fulfillment of Prophecy

The children of Israel were delivered from Egypt and led into the Promised Land, symbolizing God’s faithfulness to His promises.

Hosea 11:1 (ESV) prophetically refers to Israel as God’s son called out of Egypt:
“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.”

Matthew 2:14-15 (ESV) shows this prophecy fulfilled in Jesus’ early life:
“So he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.’”

Just as Israel was called out of Egypt into a land flowing with milk and honey, Jesus was called out of Egypt and later lived in the land of promise.


Living According to God’s Will: Choosing Good and Rejecting Evil

Isaiah 7:15 highlights an important aspect of Jesus’ life:
“He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good.”

This means Jesus, from childhood, distinguished between good and evil and chose to live righteously. His moral perfection qualified Him to fully partake in the blessings of God.

Deuteronomy 6:18 (ESV) commands God’s people:
“And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it may go well with you…”

God’s promise of blessing (the land flowing with milk and honey) was conditional on obedience and righteousness.

Jesus perfectly fulfilled this requirement. Unlike many Israelites who failed to uphold God’s standards and thus lost blessings, Jesus always chose the good and rejected evil (Hebrews 4:15).


The Spiritual and Physical Blessings of Christ

Though Jesus lived a humble life without earthly wealth (Matthew 8:20), He was rich in spiritual blessings. The “butter and honey” He ate symbolize all the blessings He possessed—both physical sustenance and spiritual richness through the Holy Spirit.

Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 8:9 (ESV):
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.”

Jesus voluntarily embraced poverty on earth, but He was spiritually wealthy—filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1) and empowered to perform miracles that demonstrate the abundance of God’s grace.


Application: Entering Into Christ’s Blessings

By faith in Jesus, we share in His blessings. First, we receive eternal life—the ultimate spiritual blessing (John 3:16). Second, we receive God’s provision and blessings in our earthly lives according to His will (Philippians 4:19).

Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise of a “land flowing with milk and honey” — not only physically but spiritually, through salvation and the Holy Spirit’s empowerment.


Conclusion and Encouragement

The prophecy that Jesus would eat butter and honey is a beautiful symbol of His perfect righteousness and participation in God’s promised blessings. He fully lived in obedience, rejecting evil and choosing good, thereby fulfilling God’s covenant.

Although He lived simply on earth, His spiritual riches are immeasurable. When we receive Jesus, we enter into this same stream of blessings—eternal life and spiritual abundance.

May the Lord richly bless you.


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How old was Mary when she conceived the Lord Jesus?

The Bible does not explicitly state Mary’s age when the angel Gabriel visited her to announce that she would conceive Jesus by the Holy Spirit. Neither does it provide details about her tribe or family lineage. These details are not emphasized in Scripture because they are not essential for our faith or salvation.

What Scripture reveals is that Mary was betrothed to Joseph (see Luke 1:27), which in Jewish culture typically involved young women in their teenage years—often between 12 and 16 years old. Being betrothed meant she was considered legally pledged for marriage, so she was mature enough to understand the significance of Gabriel’s message. Mary is described as “a virgin” (Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:27), highlighting her purity and the miraculous nature of Jesus’ conception.

Theologically, Mary’s virginity fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah:

Isaiah 7:14 (ESV):
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

This prophecy underscores the divine origin of Jesus, emphasizing that He would be born of a virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit, signifying His unique identity as both fully God and fully man.

It is important to understand that Scripture focuses on Mary’s faith and obedience rather than her age or tribal affiliation. These “secret things” belong to God, as stated in:

Deuteronomy 29:29 (NIV):
“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.”

Some traditions elevate Mary beyond what Scripture teaches, attributing to her special powers or intercessory roles. However, the Bible presents Mary as a faithful servant of God, chosen for a unique purpose but still fully human and dependent on God’s grace, just like all believers.

Throughout Scripture, many faithful servants of God are honored, but none except Jesus Christ is worthy of worship. For example, Elijah was a man with a nature like ours:

James 5:17 (NIV):
“Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.”

Even though Elijah was taken up to heaven, the Bible makes clear that he was human. Only Jesus is truly divine and the object of our worship because of His unique redemptive work.

Revelation 5:8-9 (ESV):
“And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying,
‘Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.’”

This passage affirms Jesus’ worthiness of worship because He sacrificed Himself to redeem humanity.

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Have you been baptized in obedience to Him?

If not, today is the time to respond. Scripture warns us that these are the last days, and Jesus is near, ready to come into your life:

Revelation 3:20 (NIV):
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

May God richly bless you!

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What Does the Phrase “Cut Off from His People” Mean? (Leviticus 7:27)

Question:
Why do many Israelites use the phrase “cut off from his people” when someone is seen acting contrary to the Torah? What does this phrase actually mean?

Leviticus 7:27 (ESV):
“If any person eats the blood of any flesh, that person shall be cut off from his people.”

Answer:
The phrase “cut off from his people” is a general expression indicating that the person will be separated from the community of Israel. This separation can take different forms depending on the nature of the offense.

There are three main types of being “cut off”:


1) Death

In some cases, being “cut off” meant the person was to be put to death. This punishment was sometimes carried out by God Himself (Leviticus 20:3–6) and other times by human authorities. For example, anyone caught committing adultery faced the penalty of stoning to death.

Similarly, breaking the Sabbath was a capital offense:

Exodus 31:14 (ESV):
“You shall keep the Sabbath, because it is holy for you. Everyone who profanes it shall be put to death; whoever does any work on it, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.”

This shows how seriously God regarded obedience, especially regarding holy times and commands.


2) Exclusion from the Community

Another form of being “cut off” involved social and religious exclusion. The person was removed from the census of Israel, losing their right to participate in worship and communal activities.

Numbers 19:20 (ESV):
“But the person who is unclean and does not cleanse himself shall be cut off from the assembly; because he has defiled the sanctuary of the LORD, the water of purification has not been sprinkled on him; he shall remain unclean.”

This meant spiritual and social isolation, emphasizing the importance of holiness in the community.


3) Loss of Covenant Blessings

To be “cut off” could also mean losing the blessings of God’s covenant, including protection and promises.

Genesis 17:14 (ESV):
“Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”

Today, in the New Covenant, similar separation from God’s grace can occur when people persist in sin without repentance. This spiritual cutting off is serious.


Application in the New Testament and Today

  • The church has authority to discipline unrepentant sinners by excluding them from fellowship, as Paul instructs in:

1 Corinthians 5:1–5 (ESV):
Paul instructs the Corinthian church to expel a man living in blatant sin to protect the community’s holiness.

  • God also sometimes enacts judgment directly, as seen in the story of Ananias and Sapphira, who lied to the Holy Spirit and were struck dead (Acts 5:1–11).

  • Furthermore, Hebrews warns that willful, persistent sin after receiving knowledge of the truth risks a fearful judgment:

Hebrews 10:26–27 (ESV):
“For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment…”


Final Thoughts

The concept of being “cut off” was not just for ancient Israel but remains relevant spiritually today. We must not take sin lightly or assume God’s mercy will always hold back His judgment. Being “cut off” means losing fellowship with God and His people, which is a grave spiritual condition.

Let us live in holiness, repent quickly, and remain faithful to God’s covenant.

Shalom.

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Is eating raw meat a sin?

Question: According to the Bible, is eating raw meat a sin? Historically, some cultures ate raw bananas and raw intestines.

Answer: The Bible does not explicitly declare that eating raw meat is a sin. However, it provides instructions and examples that suggest eating raw meat is not proper or advised.

For example, during the Exodus, God gave the Israelites specific instructions concerning the Passover lamb. They were commanded to roast the lamb thoroughly before eating it:

“They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted with fire, and unleavened bread; with bitter herbs they shall eat it. Do not eat it raw or boiled at all with water, but roasted in fire—its head, legs, and inner parts.”
(Exodus 12:8-9, NKJV)

This instruction was part of a divine ordinance symbolizing the protection and deliverance God provided Israel. Eating the lamb raw was forbidden, possibly reflecting concerns about cleanliness and health, but also indicating respect for God’s commands.

From a practical standpoint, eating raw meat carries health risks. Raw meat can harbor parasites, bacteria, and other harmful pathogens that cooking destroys, ensuring the meat is safe for consumption.

Theologically, some Christian traditions suggest that certain practices, such as eating raw meat, might have spiritual implications. In some interpretations, consuming raw meat is associated with pagan or occult rituals, or linked metaphorically to cruelty and harshness, symbolizing an unclean spirit’s influence.

While the Bible does not directly label eating raw meat as sinful, it promotes holiness and purity (see Leviticus 11) and calls believers to avoid practices associated with paganism or spiritual uncleanness (1 Corinthians 10:21).

Therefore, it is wise, both physically and spiritually, to avoid eating raw meat, following the biblical example and respect for God’s law.

God bless you.

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What Does It Mean That “With the Crooked You Show Yourself Shrewd”? (Psalm 18:26)

Question: In Psalm 18:26, does this mean that God Himself is stubborn or perverse? Why does the Bible describe Him this way?

Answer: To get the full meaning, we need to look at the passage starting from verse 24.

Psalm 18:24–26 (NKJV):

Therefore the LORD has recompensed me according to my righteousness,

According to the cleanness of my hands in His sight.

With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful;

With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless;

With the pure You will show Yourself pure;

And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd.

Notice the contrast here: to the merciful, God reveals Himself as merciful; to the blameless, He shows Himself blameless; to the pure, He shows Himself pure. But to the crooked, He shows Himself shrewd or resistant.

This doesn’t mean that God is crooked or stubborn in His nature. God is good and holy at all times; He cannot be compared to sinful human beings. So why does Scripture use such language?

Think of it this way: imagine a parent with a child who continually disobeys. After repeated warnings, the parent finally says, “If you keep behaving this way, I will be strict with you. But if you change your behavior, I will treat you kindly.” Does that mean the parent is cruel or evil? Of course not. It means the child will experience the parent differently depending on his own choices—discipline if he persists in wrongdoing, kindness if he turns and does right.

In the same way, when the psalm says, “With the crooked You show Yourself shrewd,” it means that those who persist in deceit, perversity, or rebellion will find God opposing them. To them, God’s actions will feel harsh. But His discipline is always just and always for correction, not destruction.

The writer of Hebrews explains it this way:

Hebrews 12:10–11 (NKJV):

For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

So, for those who resist Him, God appears as an adversary. But for those who seek purity and holiness, He reveals Himself as merciful, righteous, and holy.

This verse, then, is both a warning and a comfort:

A warning, because if we choose crookedness, we will meet God’s firm resistance.

A comfort, because if we choose righteousness, we will experience His mercy, holiness, and blessing.

May the Lord help us walk in holiness so that we may always see His goodness.

 

 

 

 

 

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