Definition: And the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this intriguing verse from Deuteronomy 14:18. It’s a really poetic and symbolic way of talking about harvesting and distribution. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: God is giving some of his harvest to those who are truly needy and deserving, and He's directing the rest to those who are more prosperous. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Deuteronomy”: This refers to a specific book in the Bible – a law book given to Moses. It’s about rules and guidelines for how people should live. "14:18" : This is the verse itself, which says something like, "And the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat..." (The exact wording varies slightly depending on the translation). What’s happening? The verse describes a distribution of the harvest. It's not about giving everything to everyone equally. Instead, it's about prioritizing those who need it most. “Stork”: This is likely a reference to someone who is already well-off and has plenty. “Heron after her kind”: This refers to someone who is struggling or in need but isn’t wealthy. It's someone with a little more to go on. “Lapwing”: This is a person who is less fortunate, perhaps facing hardship. “Bat”: This represents the rest of the harvest – the people who are less fortunate and in need. The Meaning - It’s about Justice and Care: The verse suggests that God cares deeply about fairness and justice. He wants to give a portion of his bounty to those who truly require it, while reserving the rest for those who have more. It's a reminder that God doesn’t just judge based on wealth, but also on need and deservingness. In essence, it's a beautiful image of God’s generosity and a call to compassion. Important Note: This is a poetic and symbolic description, not a literal instruction to give away all the harvest. It’s meant to illustrate a principle about fairness and care within God’s kingdom. --- Would you like me to: Explain another part of Deuteronomy 14? Discuss the historical context of this verse?