Read the Verse of the Day – Deuteronomy 14:18 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
Deuteronomy is a powerful book filled with instructions that shaped the identity of God’s people, Israel. In chapter 14, the Lord speaks to His people through Moses about what foods are clean and unclean. This includes lists of animals that may or may not be eaten.
Deuteronomy 14:18 is one of those verses. Although it may seem like a small part of a long list, every word in God’s Word has meaning and value. By studying this verse in context, we can uncover spiritual lessons that apply to our lives today.
The Context of Deuteronomy 14:18 KJV
The Setting of Deuteronomy
The Book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible. It is part of the Pentateuch, the first five books written by Moses. The word “Deuteronomy” means “second law.” It is a restatement of God’s laws to the new generation of Israelites, just before they entered the Promised Land.
The people of Israel had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. Most of the older generation had died, and now Moses was preparing the next generation to live as God’s people in the land of Canaan.
Chapter 14 Overview
Deuteronomy chapter 14 emphasizes holiness. It begins by stating that the people of Israel are holy and chosen by God.
Verses 1–2: Remind the people not to follow pagan customs, especially in mourning.
Verses 3–20: Provide a detailed list of clean and unclean animals.
Verses 21–29: Speak about handling dead animals and giving tithes.
The section we are studying (verses 3–20) focuses on what birds, animals, and sea creatures may be eaten. God gave these dietary rules to help Israel live as a distinct and holy nation.
Deuteronomy 14:18 falls near the end of the list of unclean birds.
Deuteronomy 14:18 (KJV)
Here is the verse:
“And the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.” — Deuteronomy 14:18, KJV
This verse lists four animals or birds that were considered unclean by God. Israelites were forbidden from eating them. Let us take a closer look at these creatures and their meanings.
Deuteronomy 14:18 Meaning
The Animals Mentioned in the Verse
The Stork
The stork is a large bird known for its long legs and neck. It is often seen wading in shallow water.
In Hebrew, the word is chasidah, which comes from the word for “kindness” or “faithful one.”
Despite the stork’s good reputation in folklore, it was considered unclean because it is a scavenger. It sometimes feeds on dead animals.
The Heron After Her Kind
The heron is another long-legged wading bird. It often lives near rivers or lakes.
“After her kind” refers to similar species, such as egrets or bitterns.
These birds also eat fish, frogs, and small creatures, making them unclean by Jewish standards.
The Lapwing
The lapwing is a bird that is not commonly known today.
The Hebrew word used is dukhifat. Some scholars believe it refers to the hoopoe, a colorful bird with a distinct crown of feathers.
This bird was known to feed on insects and sometimes carrion. It was considered ceremonially impure.
The Bat
Bats are not birds but flying mammals. Yet they were included in the list of “flying creatures” (along with birds).
Bats are nocturnal and often live in dark caves.
They feed on insects or fruit, but some species are associated with unclean living environments.
The bat symbolizes darkness and impurity in many cultures.
Why These Creatures Were Declared Unclean
God gave the Israelites rules about food not only for health reasons but also for spiritual training. These animals were likely seen as unclean for several reasons:
- They were scavengers or ate dead animals.
- They lived in dark or desolate places.
- Their habits did not reflect purity or holiness.
God wanted His people to avoid anything associated with death, disease, or impurity. These rules helped teach the Israelites to make distinctions between what is holy and what is unholy.
Leviticus 20:25–26 (KJV):
“Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean… And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy…”
God was using food laws as a daily reminder that Israel was set apart.
A Spiritual Message Behind the List
The birds and creatures in Deuteronomy 14:18 may seem strange to us, but they carried deep spiritual messages:
- The stork, while a symbol of care, was still a scavenger.
- The heron and lapwing were hunters of the shallow waters and may have represented spiritual shallowness or impurity.
- The bat lived in darkness and symbolized spiritual blindness or sin.
Each of these creatures, in some way, pointed to something that God’s people should avoid: impurity, spiritual darkness, death, or uncleanness.
Deuteronomy 14:18 Application in Life
Although Christians today are no longer bound by the Old Testament food laws (see Acts 10:9–16 and Colossians 2:16), these verses are still valuable. They teach us principles that apply to our spiritual walk.
1. Be Distinct in the Way You Live
God wanted Israel to be different from other nations. They were not to follow the customs of the pagan peoples. Even their food choices showed their identity as God’s people.
Application:
As Christians, we are also called to be different. Not in food, but in behavior, words, and values.
Romans 12:2 (KJV):
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
We must not blend in with the world’s sinful ways. Instead, we must live holy and upright lives.
2. Avoid Spiritual Darkness
The bat is a symbol of darkness. It hides during the day and comes out at night. In Scripture, darkness often represents sin, confusion, and distance from God.
Application:
Stay away from sin. Don’t live in spiritual darkness. Choose the light of Christ.
John 8:12 (KJV):
“I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness…”
Let your life reflect the light of God, not the shadows of sin.
3. Guard Your Spiritual Diet
God told Israel not to eat certain animals because of what they represented. Today, we must also be careful—not with physical food, but with what we consume spiritually.
Application:
Be watchful about the music, media, books, and conversations you engage in. Some things pollute the heart.
Philippians 4:8 (KJV):
“Whatsoever things are true… honest… just… pure… lovely… think on these things.”
Choose content that honors God. Avoid spiritual scavenging.
4. Stay Away from What Pollutes the Soul
Many unclean animals fed on dead things. Spiritually, this reminds us not to “feed” on things that corrupt the soul—such as gossip, bitterness, hatred, or immoral content.
Application:
Walk in purity. Surround yourself with uplifting influences. Let your life reflect the purity of Christ.
2 Corinthians 7:1 (KJV):
“Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit…”
Clean living starts with clean hearts.
5. Trust God’s Wisdom
Some of these dietary laws may seem unusual to us today. But God gave them for good reasons. They protected Israel physically and spiritually.
Application:
Even when you don’t fully understand God’s instructions, trust Him. His commands are always for your good.
Proverbs 3:5–6 (KJV):
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding…”
God sees the bigger picture. Obedience brings blessing.
Conclusion
Deuteronomy 14:18 may appear to be just another line in a list of unclean animals. But it carries deep meaning. The creatures listed—the stork, heron, lapwing, and bat—represent impurity, scavenging, spiritual blindness, and darkness. God told His people to stay away from them, not just for health reasons but for spiritual purposes.
Today, we do not follow the old food laws. But the lessons still apply:
- We must live holy and distinct lives
- We must avoid spiritual darkness
- We must guard our hearts and minds
- We must stay away from sin and impurity
- We must trust and obey God fully
God desires a people who reflect His holiness—not just outwardly, but inwardly. Every part of our lives, even the small details, should reflect the God we serve.
1 Peter 1:16 (KJV):
“Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
Let us seek to live in a way that honors Him—walking in the light, rejecting spiritual pollution, and being set apart as God’s beloved people.
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