In Leviticus 11-15, God’s distinction between what is holy and common, or clean and unclean, is presented. These distinctions are not determined by humans but are revealed by God Himself.
The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying to them, “Speak to the Israelites: “From among all the land animals, these are the creatures that you may eat.
Any animal that has divided hoofs and is cleft-footed and chews the cud—such you may eat.
But among those that chew the cud or have divided hoofs, you shall not eat the following: the camel, for even though it chews the cud, it does not have divided hoofs; it is unclean for you” (Leviticus 11:1-4).
The commands regarding clean and unclean food recall the Garden of Eden and God’s prohibition there of what people could eat.
The question for us about food is this: are we willing to listen to God, or are we like the first couple so willful that we choose our own way, contrary to His desires?
In this passage, God prohibits Israel from eating all animals that do not have hooves and chew their cud. Verse 4 makes it clear that Israel may only eat animals that have both characteristics. One is not enough.
When Jesus discusses what is clean and unclean with the people, he explores the spirit of the Levitical laws. He emphasizes that even with a perfect diet, a person can remain unclean if their inner condition is defiled.
It was within this discussion that Jesus declared all foods clean.
When he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about the parable.
He said to them, “So, are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile,
Since it enters not the heart but the stomach and goes out into the sewer?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.)
And he said, “It is what comes out of a person that defiles” (Mark 7:17-20).
Rudy’s Explanation
My Jewish friend, Rudy Ross, who produces videos with Bruce Kirby and me, and I have often discussed food laws. Rudy doesn’t follow a strict kosher diet, but he does avoid pork and other animals prohibited in Leviticus.
Rudy has a good explanation for some of these dietary choices. He views some of the animals God prohibits as what I call the “garbage collectors of the earth.”
Several years ago, I undertook an extended fast for spiritual reasons. One profound realization during that time was how self-centered I am when it comes to food. Leviticus reminds me that God has something to say about what we eat.
Even though I accept Jesus’ teaching that all foods are permissible, refusing to ask for God’s direction in this area still indicates willfulness on my part.
I’ve come to see that my approach to eating should be a way of connecting with God in obedience, rather than simply indulging my palate.
Holiness and Food
If we think food isn’t important to God, we should reconsider. Right in the middle of His teachings on food laws, God reveals one of the most crucial aspects of His character and our relationship with Him.
For I am the Lord your God; sanctify yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming creature that moves on the earth.
For I am the Lord who brought you up from the land of Egypt, to be your God; you shall be holy, for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44-45).
We can say many things about the holiness of God. Entire books have been written to try to cover this one aspect of God’s character.
Just limit our thinking to food laws today, and we realize that God is neither unclean nor is he common. What is he then? He is holy.
To sanctify ourselves means to set ourselves apart as God’s holy servants. Therefore, just as God is neither unclean nor common, we too should strive to be the same.
This should be reflected in what we eat, but even more importantly, in what Jesus tells us to do: aligning the inside of our lives with God’s will.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this on YouTube today.
Real Voices 