- May 11, 2016
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One of the most common arguments used by Christians is that they do not have to keep the dietary laws because they were not given to Gentiles, but only to Jews.
The distinction between clean and unclean animals has existed at least as far back as Noah’s time (Genesis 7:2). Noah and his family were Gentiles. The unclean animals on the ark could not be eaten or sacrificed by them. That is why YHWH told Noah to bring food for him and the animals (Genesis 6:21). Had Noah eaten or sacrificed one of the two pigs on the ark, the species would have become extinct unless piglets were born on the ark. YHWH, however, provided seven pairs of clean animals in preparation for Noah and his family to eat meat and offer sacrifices after leaving the ark.
Several NT verses/passages are used teach against obedience to the dietary laws. I'm sure we will get into those eventually.
When Henry Ford invented the automobile, he included an owner's manual so the owner would know what type of fluids the car needed to operate efficiently. Our Creator knows exactly what our bodies need for fuel. He knows what will harm us and what will help us. He gave us a manual (the Bible) informing us as such. Throw away that portion of the owners manual and put in fuel that is harmful such as swine's flesh, shellfish, etc, and our bodies will be negatively affected. However, health factors are only one aspect of why we should obey those laws. Another is the FACT that YHWH clearly said unclean animal flesh would defile us (Leviticus 11:44) and that He considers them to be "abominations" (something that, when eaten, utterly DISGUSTS Him) (Leviticus 11:10-13, etc.). He wants His people "to make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten."(Leviticus 11:47).
It is interesting that failure to obey one of YHWH's dietary laws caused the fall of mankind in the first place. Many have not learned from Adam and Eve's mistake of eating what was forbidden.
The distinction between clean and unclean animals has existed at least as far back as Noah’s time (Genesis 7:2). Noah and his family were Gentiles. The unclean animals on the ark could not be eaten or sacrificed by them. That is why YHWH told Noah to bring food for him and the animals (Genesis 6:21). Had Noah eaten or sacrificed one of the two pigs on the ark, the species would have become extinct unless piglets were born on the ark. YHWH, however, provided seven pairs of clean animals in preparation for Noah and his family to eat meat and offer sacrifices after leaving the ark.
Several NT verses/passages are used teach against obedience to the dietary laws. I'm sure we will get into those eventually.
When Henry Ford invented the automobile, he included an owner's manual so the owner would know what type of fluids the car needed to operate efficiently. Our Creator knows exactly what our bodies need for fuel. He knows what will harm us and what will help us. He gave us a manual (the Bible) informing us as such. Throw away that portion of the owners manual and put in fuel that is harmful such as swine's flesh, shellfish, etc, and our bodies will be negatively affected. However, health factors are only one aspect of why we should obey those laws. Another is the FACT that YHWH clearly said unclean animal flesh would defile us (Leviticus 11:44) and that He considers them to be "abominations" (something that, when eaten, utterly DISGUSTS Him) (Leviticus 11:10-13, etc.). He wants His people "to make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten."(Leviticus 11:47).
It is interesting that failure to obey one of YHWH's dietary laws caused the fall of mankind in the first place. Many have not learned from Adam and Eve's mistake of eating what was forbidden.