We are in chapter eleven of Leviticus with our word for today. חֲזִיר swine, boar, hog, pig. It is used 7 times in the Old Testament. We find our word used to describe this animal living in the forest. Psalm 80:13 The חֲזִ֣יר boar from the forest ravages it, and all that move in the field feed on it. All the other uses of our word show its associated with behavior of those sinning against God. A good example of this is the first time it is used in the Bible which is also in our chapter for today. Leviticus 11:1-3, 7 And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying to them, “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, These are the living things that you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth. Whatever parts the hoof and is cloven-footed and chews the cud, among the animals, you may eat … And הַ֠חֲזִיר the pig, because it parts the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. Our word is part of the list of unclean animals that God instructed his people at that time not to eat. Our next use is also used in the same context of unclean food. Deuteronomy 14:3, 8 You shall not eat any abomination … And הַ֠חֲזִיר the pig, because it parts the hoof but does not chew the cud, is unclean for you. Their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch. Just like the last couple of days we see this list also identified as being an abomination to eat. Did you also notice that the restriction to not even touch their carcasses is now included along with the not eating? Isaiah associates our word with those who are rebelling against God. Isaiah 65:2-4 I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices; a people who provoke me to my face continually, sacrificing in gardens and making offerings on bricks; who sit in tombs, and spend the night in secret places; who eat הַחֲזִ֔יר pig's flesh, and broth of tainted meat is in their vessels. We also see in the next chapter Isaiah continues to tie our word to those who are involved in immoral activity. Isaiah 66:3, 17 he who presents a grain offering, like one who offers חֲזִ֔יר pig's blood; he who makes a memorial offering of frankincense, like one who blesses an idol. These have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations … Those who sanctify and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following one in the midst, eating הַחֲזִ֔יר pig's flesh and the abomination and mice, shall come to an end together, declares the Lord. Solomon uses our word in a proverb to illustrate how evil will end in ruin. Proverbs 11:21-23 Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered. Like a gold ring in a חֲזִ֑יר pig's snout is a beautiful woman without discretion. The desire of the righteous ends only in good, the expectation of the wicked in wrath. No one would put something so valuable on a pig because you would lose it. Because the pig has no idea of how valuable the gold ring is. The good news is that God knows how valuable we are and sent his son to die in our place for our sins. I’ll close with Jesus parable of the prodigal or lost son who was lost but comes back home. Notice where he was when he repented as it relates to our word. Luke 15:13-24 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
