Clean and Unclean Food
THE LAW
These are the laws handed down to Moses and Aaron for God's chosen people to follow regarding food:
Leviticus 11
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying unto them, 2Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth. 3Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.
4 Nevertheless these shall ye not eat …as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
7 And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. 8Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.
9 These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat.
10 And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you: 11They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcases in abomination."
13 "And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: …the ossifrage, and the ospray, 14And the vulture, and the kite after his kind…"
21 "Yet these may ye eat of every flying creeping thing that goeth upon all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth; 22Even these of them ye may eat; the locust after his kind…"
Animals
1. Clean animals: those chewing the cud and have split hoofs, like sheep, cattle, etc.
2. Unclean animals:
- Those that have split hoofs but do not chew the cud like swine, etc.
- Those that chew the cud, but do not have split hoofs, like camel, etc.
- Those that do not chew the cud and do not have split hoofs like horse, etc.
Fish
1. Clean fish: those having scales and fins
2. Unclean fish: those that do not have scales and fins
Fowls
1. Clean: as specified, example, the locust.
2. Unclean: as specified, example, the vulture.
Christianity is divided into whether these laws on food are still to be followed in the New Testament or not. There are denominations that insist the laws should be followed since Jesus Christ said:
Matt. 5:17 " Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."
There are denominations that assert these laws are no longer enforceable since Jesus Himself said in:
Matt. 15:10 "And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: 11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man."
Matt. 15:15 "…Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. 16And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? 17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:"
To take the word of God LITERALLY, it appears that Jesus Christ contradicted Himself. He said, " Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil," and at the same time admonishing the multitude and His Disciples in Matt. 15:10, 15-18. It is an accepted truth that our Lord will never contradict Himself. Therefore, the law on "clean and unclean food" cannot be literal but SPIRITUAL as it is written God speaks in parables:
Ezek. 20:49 " Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables? "
Jesus Christ was likewise prophesied to speak in parables and dark sayings of old:
Psa. 78:2 " I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: "
This revelation was given to Paul when he wrote:
Rom. 7:14 "For we know that the law is spiritual… "
Two classes of people
There are two classes of people listening to our Lord (believing in the Holy Bible) when Jesus said, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it:"
First - Those who rationalized and interpreted what they heard and said, " Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?"
Second - Those who, recognizing their incapability to understand the word of God, just waited for our Lord's explanation of His word.
The former typifies the Scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees. These were the people who mocked our Lord as He was crucified, saying,
Matt. 26:61 "This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days." (Matt. 26:61)
The latter are Christ's Disciples who waited for His explanation, actually a demonstration:
John 2:21 "But he spake of the temple of his body. 22When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said."
The "explanation" of our Lord on "clean and unclean food" in Matt. 15:10-11 must therefore be in parable also! Who, now, can explain the parable but God alone through His words. And, as in the parable of "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up," the explanation should be a demonstration. Here is Simon Peter whom our Lord rebuked in Matt. 15:15-19, and to him our Lord "demonstrated" the meaning of "clean and unclean food."
Clue No. 1 -- Cornelius, an Italian centurion
Acts 10:1 "There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2A devout man, and one that feared God… 3He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 4And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
Acts 10:5 "And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: 6He…shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. 7And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants… 8And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa."
Clue No. 2 -- Simon Peter and "a great sheet knit at the our corners"
Acts 10:9 "…Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 10And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 16This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven."
Clue No. 3 -- Simon Peter and the men sent by Cornelius
Acts 10:17 "Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate, 18And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. 19While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. 21Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek…"
Clue No. 4 -- Simon Peter met Cornelius, a non-Jew.
Acts 10:22 "And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. 23Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them… 24And…Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 25And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. 26But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. 27And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. 28And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? 30And Cornelius said, Four days ago…I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 32Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter…who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. 33Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. 34Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."
Realization
Therefore, "clean and unclean food" literally pertaining to animals, fishes, and fowls actually refer to people! Consequently, the laws on "clean and unclean food" remain enforceable in the New Testament, not with human understanding but by God's revelation through His words. This truth is revealed to Paul in:
Rom. 7:14 "For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal…"
God leads us to this truth by following His direction:
Isa. 28:10 "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: 11For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. 12To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. "
God's chosen will be guided as follows:
1 Cor. 2:12 "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth ; comparing spiritual things with spiritual."
Sheep, Cattle…chew the cud
If these animals refer to people then "cud" is the symbol for the word of God, which is the "living bread."
Jer. 15:16 "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart…"
"Chewing the cud" therefore stands for "rightly dividing the word of truth" and this is the equivalent of Christ "breaking of bread:"
2 Tim. 2:15 "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
This discussion on "clean and unclean food" is an example of how the chosen "chew the cud." The word is not just taken literally, but "broken or divided," that is, examined carefully to get the spiritual message behind the "letter" (2 Cor. 3:6). In the "demonstration" of God to Simon Peter where Cornelius is considered "clean," like the Disciples, the Italian centurion would have loved "chewing the cud."
In contrast, the Natural Man (1 Cor. 2:14) is contented with the "letter of the word," or he may put some meaning to the word which is only the result of human wisdom. No wonder, the word of God appears to be contradictory and irreconcilable.
Sheep, cattle…have split hoofs
"Split hoofs" stands for the "circumcision of the heart" as revealed to Paul in:
Rom. 2:28 "For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God."
Phil. 3:3 "For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit [spiritual], and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh [literal-physical]."
Thus, animals "chewing the cud and have split hoofs" are God's chosen and are considered "clean." Without these characteristics, animals actually referring to people are "unclean." Example:
Swine
Swine have "split hoofs but do not chew the cud." Jesus Christ saw these in the Scribes and Pharisees who called them "hypocrites" (Matt. 23). For not being endowed with divine knowledge and wisdom, they are limited only to the "letter" and never could they comprehend the "spirit of the law." They may be sincere in the eyes of men and appear to have "circumcised heart," that is, pious and righteous. But their righteousness is not based on God's standard:
Rom. 10:2 "For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."
They are known as ministers of God, but they are limited to the "letter" for lack of divine revelation on the "spirit" of the law. This is revealed to Paul:
2 Cor. 3:6 "Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life."
The Natural Man, like Nicodemus a teacher of the law before coming to our Lord, is "spiritually blind" who cannot "see" spiritual things (John 3:1-12). The Scribes and Pharisees could only see "cleanliness on the outside" and never the "inside of the cup." For details read:
CLEANLINESS ON THE "OUTSIDE" AND "INSIDE"
- Who can distinguish SPIRITUAL CONVICTION from CONSCIENCE
- How does our Lord explain INSIDE in rebuking the Scribes and Pharisees for cleaning only the OUTSIDE?http://www.purechristianity.org/cleanlin.htm
Camel
The camel chews the cud but does not have split hoofs. After the revelation for the symbolism of the terms, it is easy to identify the people referred to. They may understand the great spiritual message of the word and enjoy knowing it. But God cannot see the application in their life, and with "uncircumcised hearts."
Matt. 18:15 " Moreover if thy [ spritual ] brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican."
Horse
The horse does not chew the cud and the hoofs are not split. This refers to worldly and irreligious people and the word of God has no place in their life.
2 Cor. 6:14 "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."
Clean Fish -- those having scales and fins
Since "clean and unclean food" refer to people, fish is confirmed to be so in the following:
Habakkuk 1:14 "And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?"
Matt. 4:18 "And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
Because God is speaking "spiritual things," fish represents people. Skin, scales, and fins relate to the spiritual covering of the "garment of salvation and of the robe of righteousness."
Isa. 61:10 "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom... "
The "inner skin" of fish pertains to the garment of salvation, while "scales and fins" to the robe of righteousness. "Clean fish" is a person who is both clothed with the garment of salvation and covered with the robe of righteousness. This is seen in Jesus Christ showing the Way (John 14:6), as model (Rom. 8:29). Paul followed the Way and he enjoins believers to follow his example:
1 Cor. 11:1 "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."
The "garment of salvation" corresponds to "faith" as God explains it:
Eph. 2:8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."
Faith is acquired by humbling oneself before God like a "little child:"
Matt. 18:3 "And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."
So as to be endowed with divine knowledge and wisdom:
Matt. 11:25 "At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes."
Thus, seeing the "light" and following the "Way."
Heb. 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must…"
Rom. 14:23 "…for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. "
If the "garment of salvation" refers to faith and the "robe of righteousness" for works, then "works" must be the end result of "faith" where the fruit of the Spirit should manifest.
Gal. 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
This is different from "works," referring to good deeds, that the Natural Man understands where even people who do not accept the Holy Bible can do. The "love gospel" attracts many adherents:
1 Cor. 2:14 "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."
"Works" as the Natural Man understands simply benefit the "physical life."
Eph. 2:9 "Not of works, lest any man should boast."
Isa. 64:6 "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags…"
What James wrote is very clear where "faith and works" are according to God's explanation of His words:
James 2:17 "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works."
"Faith and works" therefore both come from God by reason of true spiritual humility. This is what is meant by Phil. 2:12 "working for own salvation."
Unclean Fish -- those without scales and fins
Fishes symbolize men. Fishes live in water. God gives the spiritual meaning of "water" and "sea" in the following:
Eph. 5:26 "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word."
John 7:37 " …Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)"
Psa. 77:19 "Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known."
Therefore fishes with and without scales and fins are all, "in the Way of our Lord" -- meaning people "of the truth" or the chosen. "Unclean fish," those without scales and fins, refer to persons who have the garment of salvation but do not have the covering of the "robe of righteousness." This is manifested in the absence of the "fruit of the Spirit." Examples:
Matt. 18:15 " Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican."
This was revealed to Paul in:
1 Cor. 5:9 "I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."
2 Thes. 3:11 "For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 13But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. 14And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother."
1 Tim. 5:12 "Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. 13And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not."
If in the end, persons referred to as "fish without scales and fins" do not hear the call of Truth and repent; they would end up like Esau, King Saul, and Judas Iscariot. They cast aside the "robe of righteousness" and eventually also lose the "garment of salvation." Eternal damnation ensued:
Heb. 6:4 "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."
2 Pet. 2:20 "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire."
Locust
The locust is "clean" as specified having " legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth. " If this refers to people, does not this indicate " spiritual walk "? "Spiritual walk " requires divine guidance:
Matt. 11:25 "At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes."
And strength:
2 Cor. 12:9 "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
That is not available to the Natural Man who is considered "unclean."
1 Cor. 2:14 "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."
Thus, the " spiritual walk " or " legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth. "
Eph. 4:17 "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind."
Gal. 5:25 "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."
Gal. 5:16 "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh."
Vultures
Vultures are noted to subsist on rotten meat. Spiritually if "meat" refers to the word of God, vultures therefore are Natural Men who could only understand and therefore survive on the "letter" for they do not have access to the "spirit" of the word."
2 Cor. 3:6 "Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life."
In spiritual matters, fellowshipping with them is prohibited:
2 Cor. 6:14 "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. "
The "letter of the law" pertains to food that affects the health of the believer. This applies to PHYSICAL LIFE as distinguished from the SPIRITUAL LIFE. God reveals that a person is responsible for his/her PHYSICAL LIFE. He therefore allows the intellect to be used to determine what is appropriate for the health under the circumstances. Accordingly, God's revelation of the application of the law on food is clearly defined as they relate to the two kinds of life of a real believer. Denominations realizing this truth just have to delve on the ill effects on heath.
PHYSICAL LIFE, consists of the body (senses and everything related to them) and the soul (intellect, feeling, conscience).
SPIRITUAL LIFE, consists of the soul and the Spirit of God (divine revelation, spiritual conviction).
For "unclean food" to relate solely to PHYSICAL LIFE would make the statements of our Lord irreconcilable:
Matt. 5:17 "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."
Matt. 15:16 "… Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? 17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:"
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