ELTB

Introduction

God created everything to teach us about Himself. But sometimes, it's hard to learn just by looking at nature. That’s why He used people and stories in the Bible to show us who He is. The Hebrews lived out a “play,” and their laws were like a script. One of those laws told them what they could and couldn’t eat—but it wasn’t really about food. It was about learning. In the Bible, eating is a symbol for learning, and the animals represent different kinds of teachers. Some are good, and some are bad.

Chapter 1: Good Teachers vs. Bad Teachers

Some animals were considered “clean” (good to eat), and others were “unclean” (not to eat). The clean animals represented people who meditate on God’s Word and live in a way that reflects His love. The unclean animals represented those who don’t follow God’s ways and teach things that lead people astray.

Clean Animals - Good Teachers

• Cows, Sheep, Goats, and Deer – These animals “chew the cud,” which means they eat, bring it back up, and chew it again. This is like a good teacher who doesn’t just read the Bible once but thinks about it over and over. They also have split hooves, symbolizing a life set apart for God.
• Fish with Scales and Fins – Fish live in water (symbolizing God’s Word) and use their fins to move forward. A good teacher is always growing in understanding and helping others do the same.
• Beetle – overcoming fear by trusting God.
• Grasshopper – faith growing even through hardship.
• Locust – those who may struggle but still seek God.

Unclean Animals - Bad Teachers

• Camel – people who are judgmental. Instead of showing love, they focus on pointing out others' mistakes.
• Coney (Hyrax) – legalistic teachers who only focus on rules and forget about God’s love.
• Hare (Rabbit) – those who mix different beliefs together and celebrate everything without discernment.
• Swine (Pig) – people who believe anything they hear and spread misinformation.
• Ossifrage – those who cause division and arguments instead of seeking unity.
• Osprey – selfishness, always taking but never giving.
• Vulture – those who keep others from learning the truth, like bullies who disrupt class.
• Kite – doubters who never seek real answers.
• Cormorant – those who lead others away from God’s teachings.
• Pelican – those who reject God’s Word after hearing it.
• Heron – those who hold onto anger and let it control them.
• Lapwing – inconsistency in faith, sometimes following God and sometimes ignoring Him.
• Bat – those who turn away from God’s teachings and lead others astray.
• Little Owl – spiritual blindness and lack of understanding.
• Great Owl – those who presume upon God’s grace while continuing in sin.
• Gier Eagle – false love that focuses only on death rather than life.
• Stork – misunderstanding holiness and mercy.
• Night Hawk – those who love violence.
• Cuckow – those who waste away in fleshly pursuits.
• Snail – slow or stagnant spiritual growth.
• Ferret – yearning for knowledge but staying in ignorance.
• Weasel – deceit and manipulation.
• Mouse – multiplying sin and chasing worldly pleasure.
• Tortoise – those who hide from God rather than seeking Him.
• Mole – those who live in darkness and avoid truth.
• Chameleon – hypocrisy and changing beliefs to fit in.

Conclusion: Who Will You Learn From?

Throughout the Bible, God shows us that not all teachers are good. Some lead people away from Him, while others help us grow in faith. The question is: Who are you learning from? Are they helping you know God better, or are they leading you further from the truth?

Jesus is the ultimate teacher. He meditated on God’s Word, showed love instead of judgment, and gave His life so we could be saved. When He said, “Eat my body,” He wasn’t talking about food—He meant that we should learn from Him and live by His example.

So, as you go through life, pay attention to the voices you listen to. Are they like the clean animals, guiding you in truth? Or are they like the unclean ones, leading you away from God? Choose wisely, because what you “eat” (learn) shapes who you become.