Deuteronomy 14:21 — English ERV 2006 - Only For Website
"Don't eat any animal that has died by itself. You may give the dead animal to the foreigner in your town, and he can eat it. Or you may sell the dead animal to a foreigner. But you yourselves must not eat the dead animal, because you belong to the Lord your God. You are his special people. "Don't cook a baby goat in its mother's milk.
What Does This Mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy says not to eat animals that died on their own. Instead, you can give or sell them to outsiders. It also reminds the Israelites they are special to God and not to cook a young goat in its mother's milk. Moses is giving instructions to the Israelites about what is clean and holy.
Explained for Children
Imagine you find a dead bird in the park. This verse says you shouldn't eat it, but you can give it to someone else who might want to. It also reminds us to be kind and holy, like not mixing milk and meat in a funny way.
Historical Background
Deuteronomy was written by Moses around 1200 BC to the Israelites. The Israelites were about to enter the Promised Land and needed to know what practices were acceptable and holy. This verse emphasizes the importance of maintaining purity and distinguishing themselves from other cultures.
Living It Out Today
In modern times, we can think of this verse as a reminder to be mindful of the origins of our food and to be considerate of others' needs. For example, if you find expired food at a store, you might donate it to a food bank instead of discarding it.
Eating animals that died naturally was considered unclean. This rule helped the Israelites maintain their holiness and distinguish themselves from other cultures.
What does 'holy people' mean in this verse?
Being 'holy' means being set apart for God, following His laws, and living in a way that reflects God's character.
Why is cooking a kid in its mother's milk forbidden?
This practice was seen as cruel and was associated with pagan rituals. It highlights the importance of compassion and the need to avoid practices from other cultures that might compromise their holiness.
What does this verse teach about strangers?
The verse shows a compassionate attitude towards strangers by suggesting that food that cannot be consumed by the Israelites can be given to or sold to foreigners, showing hospitality and generosity.
