Justin Houtz

Leviticus 11, Acts 12

DateVersionReading Plan
April 11, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Leviticus 11

Observation

The LORD spoke to both Moses and Aaron and gave them instruction regarding clean and unclean animals. Among these are land animals, water-dwelling animals, birds and insects. These were not to be eaten and contact with some animals resulted in uncleanness, whether the animal was alive or dead (Lev. 11:29-40). Contact with dead bodies was to be avoided (Lev. 11:24–25, Lev. 27–28). “The only rationale given for the regulations in this chapter is the requirement to emulate Yahweh’s own holiness.” (Lev. 11:44-45).

Application

The call to be holy as God is holy is not limited Old Testament. In his epistle, Peter quotes Lev. 11:44-45 to admonish his audience that “as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1 Tim. 1:15). Being set apart as God’s ambassadors—made positionally holy by the work of Christ—involves the pursuit of practical holiness that should mark our walk as clearly different from the rest of the world. There are certain things we do and refrain from doing that stem from a Spirit-transformed heart, manifesting in a desire to abide in God’s Word in seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

Acts 12

Observation

About the time when Barnabas and Saul were sent to the brothers in Judea, Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church (Acts 11:1). He killed James, brother of John, with a sword and, when he saw that this pleased the Jews, he imprisoned Peter also (Acts 11:2-4). Peter was kept in prison but earnest prayer was made to God by the church (Acts 11:5).

When Herod was about to bring Peter out, an angel came into Peter’s cell, struck him on the side and told him to get up, dress himself and put on his sandals (Acts 11:8). Peter followed the angel but thought that what was being done by the angel and what he was seeing was a vision (Acts 11:9). When Peter came to himself, he acknowledged that the Lord sent His angel to rescue him from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting (Acts 11:11). Upon realizing this, he went to the house of Mary where many were gathered and praying (Acts 11:12). Peter knocked on the door and a servant girl, Rhoda, answered (Acts 11:13). Rhoda recognized Peter’s voice but, being in joy, did not open the gate but instead reported that Peter was standing at the gate (Acts 11:14). The people told Rhoda that she was out of her mind and that it was not Peter but his angel (Acts 11:15). However, Peter kept knocking and the people were amazed when they saw him (Acts 11:16). Peter motioned to them to be silent and to tell these things to James and the brothers. Peter then departed and went to another place (Acts 11:17).

When day broke, there was a disturbance over what happened to Peter and Herod ordered the sentries to be put to death. Herod then went down to Caesarea and spent some time there (Acts 11:18-19).

Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon and they came to him on one accord having persuaded the Herod’s chamberlain, Blastus. The people asked for peace because their country depended on Herod’s country for food (Acts 11:20). On an appointed day, Herod put on his robe and delivered an oration to the people and they shouted that it was a voice of a god and not of a man (Acts 11:21-22). Immediately, an angel of the Lord struck Herod down for not giving God the glory and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last (Acts 11:23).

The word of God increased and multiplied (Acts 11:24). Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem where they had completed their service and they brought John whose other name was Mark (Acts 11:25).

Application

In both instances of Peter’s rescue from prison and Herod’s death, we see God’s perfect justice on display. Herod’s actions of wrongfully imprisoning Peter eventually lead to his death. He was prideful in taking to himself the glory due only to God. This should give us pause in how we may also be asserting our own dominion rather than ascribing to the Lord all glory due His name.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us Your Word by which we can pursue holiness in all that we do. Father, help us to do this rightly, that our efforts would be from an earnest desire to bring You glory. Father, help me by Your Spirit to live in full surrender to You, in humility and deference, that through me You would make Yourself known.

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