THAT SHALL YE EAT … THESE SHALL YE NOT EAT

In Leviticus 11 we have a comprehensive list of creatures whose meat was either suitable or unsuitable for human consumption in the nation of Israel. God had never imposed a vegetarian diet; as early as Noah’s day, He had given liberty to eat the flesh of animals, Gen. 9. 3-4. Now He was more specific in His com­mands to His people Israel.

It is clear that Old Testament dietary laws are not binding on believers of this age, 1 Tim. 4. 1-5. However, Gentile converts were urged to be cautious about these things. They had to avoid shocking the Jewish townsfolk who attended the reading of the law every sabbath day, Acts 15. 19-29. Furthermore, believers were to forego the right to eat certain things in deference to the scruples of fellow saints, Rom. 14. 14-21, 1 Cor. 8. 13. Thus, for the sake of harmony in the community, and among believers, they were to be willing to waive some of their liberties. In our western civilisation, there is little need for the same caution, but, if required, it should be in place.

One of the reasons for the strict dietary laws was to make very obvious the distinction between Israel and the other nations, Deut. 14. 1-3. It was one of the things that marked them out as being God’s ‘holy people’. Their uniqueness had to extend to the very things they ate. It is clear too that these laws were given for their health. Many of the prohibited animals were scavengers, and the birds were carrion eaters, creatures decidedly unsuit­able for human consumption. God had the health of His people in mind. To this day it is said that heart related illnesses are less common among the Jewish people!

As ever, we try to glean spiritual lessons from these Old Testament injunctions, Rom. 15. 4. Spiritual appetite should be satisfied from legitimate sources alone. Unclean food sources impinged on the holiness of God’s ancient people and, in the same way, suspect reading material defiles the mind and dead­ens a keen conscience. By contrast, a nutritious intake would be ‘the words of faith and of good doctrine’, 1 Tim. 4. 6, so watch your spiritual diet! Be like Job and esteem the words of His mouth ‘more than (your) necessary food’, Job 23.12.