Bats in God’s Law & COVID 19
Leviticus 11:13-19 Additionally, you are to detest the following birds, and they must not be eaten because they are detestable: the eagle, the bearded vulture, the black vulture, the kite, any kind of falcon, any kind of raven, the ostrich, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl, the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey, the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat.
April 2020: Recently, The Guardian posted a story on the origins of the Coronavirus. Many studies were compared from scientific experts from around the globe.
Scientists think it is “very likely” or “most likely” the COVID 19 coronavirus has its origins in a bat. But… Science is not really “sure”.
The Guardian best captured the spirit of the article with the disclaimer at the end.
Due to the unprecedented and ongoing nature of the coronavirus outbreak, this article is being regularly updated to ensure that it reflects the current situation at the date of publication. Any significant corrections made to this or previous versions of the article will continue to be footnoted in line with Guardian editorial policy.
The bat is mentioned three times in Scripture. Twice the bat is mentioned in the context of the Law. At that time, God told Moses bats were “detestable”. Another appropriate translation would be an abomination. The Jews were told not to eat certain kinds of birds.
The “bird” is ceremonially unclean. Notice, the Creator of the universe states the bat is a bird. Leviticus 11 is the first time the bat is mentioned in Scripture. The bat is included in an extensive list of birds. The bat is the last bird mentioned. God says the bat is a bird.
Science tells us bats are mammals of the order Chiroptera; with their forelimbs adapted as wings, they are the only mammals capable of true and sustained flight. Bats are more maneuvrable than birds, flying with their very long spread-out digits covered with a thin membrane or patagium. -Wikipedia
Imagine that. God’s classification system is different than the modern day altar of Science. God’s order and humanity’s order are not the same. See multiple examples provided in the links below regarding the topic of creation.
https://paulthepoke.com/2011/09/09/genesis-120-day-5/
https://paulthepoke.com/2011/09/22/genesis-124-25-day-6-land-animals/
“…I am quite conscious that my speculations run beyond the bounds of true science…it is a mere rag of an hypothesis with as many flaw(s) and holes as sound parts.” –Charles Darwin to Asa Gray
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From the time of Moses, fast forward to the days of the apostle Peter. Christ has died on the cross for sin. Christ has fulfilled the Law.
Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Peter in Acts 11 has an encounter with the Lord regarding the Law and unclean food. Restrictions on food consumed are being lifted. Granted, the greater issue is not about food but food is used as the example.
Acts 11:6-9 and when I had fixed my gaze on it and was observing it I saw the four-footed animals of the earth and the wild beasts and the crawling creatures and the birds of the air. “I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’ “But I said, ‘By no means, Lord, for nothing unholy or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ “But a voice from heaven answered a second time, ‘What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.’
Granted, we are not under the constraints of the Law. We have freedom because of Jesus Christ. But, we may want to think twice about exercising this freedom of handling, preparing, and eating bats.
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