“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.”
Context: Leviticus 11 contains the instructions given by God to the Israelites regarding dietary laws and regulations. These laws were meant to distinguish between clean and unclean animals, specifying which animals were permissible for the Israelites to eat and which were not.
Understanding the dietary laws: The dietary laws outlined in Leviticus 11 served several purposes for the Israelites. They were meant to set the Israelites apart from the surrounding nations and to maintain their ritual purity. These laws were also intended to teach the Israelites about holiness, obedience, and dependence on God.
Distinguishing between clean and unclean animals: The passage emphasizes the importance of discerning between clean and unclean animals. The clean animals were those considered suitable for consumption, while the unclean animals were deemed unfit for consumption. God provided specific guidelines to differentiate between the two categories, including characteristics such as how an animal chews the cud and whether or not it has cloven hooves.
Symbolic significance: The clean and unclean animals mentioned in Leviticus 11 also had symbolic meanings. Clean animals were often associated with purity and holiness, while unclean animals symbolized impurity and defilement. The dietary laws thus reinforced the idea of maintaining spiritual and moral purity.
Spiritual lessons and principles: Although these dietary laws were part of the Mosaic Covenant and were specifically given to the Israelites, they can still provide valuable spiritual lessons for believers today. They remind us of the importance of discernment, obedience, and consecration. They also point to the concept of being set apart for God’s purposes, both in terms of our physical and spiritual lives.
Fulfillment in Christ: In the New Testament, Jesus declared all foods clean, indicating a shift in the dietary regulations for Christians (Mark 7:19). Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the Mosaic Law, including the dietary laws. As followers of Christ, we are no longer bound by these specific regulations, but we are called to live in accordance with the principles of holiness and obedience to God’s Word.
In conclusion, Leviticus 11:47 highlights the importance of distinguishing between clean and unclean animals according to the dietary laws given to the Israelites. While these laws may not directly apply to Christians today, they offer spiritual lessons and principles that promote discernment, obedience, and consecration. Moreover, the fulfillment of these laws in Christ reminds us of the need for purity and holiness in our lives.
