Leviticus 7:19
And the flesh that toucheth any vncleane thing, shal not be eaten: it shal be burnt with fire, and as for the flesh, all that be cleane shall eate thereof. Leviticus 7:19 (KJV)
Leviticus is the third book of the Torah in the Old Testament, traditionally attributed to Moses. It contains a wide range of laws and regulations given by God to the Israelites concerning worship, ritual practice, and moral conduct. Chapter 7 deals with various offerings, including the guilt (or trespass) offering and the peace offering. Within this chapter, verse 19 provides a specific instruction regarding the consumption of the meat from these offerings. The verse states that if the flesh of the offering comes into contact with anything considered unclean, it must not be eaten but burned with fire; however, those who are ceremonially clean are permitted to eat the flesh.
This command underscores the importance of ceremonial purity and the clear distinction between clean and unclean within the Israelite community. The recurring theme of “clean” and “unclean” throughout Leviticus is supported by detailed guidelines for many situations. By requiring the burning of flesh that touches anything unclean, God symbolically removes the contamination, preventing it from spreading further. The principle teaches that touching something unclean represents defilement, and the act of burning rather than consuming the meat serves as a tangible reminder to maintain purity and avoid spiritual impurity.
It is important to recognize that these regulations were specific to the Israelites under the Old Covenant. The ceremonial laws, including the one in Leviticus 7:19, were fulfilled and superseded by the coming of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. Through His sacrificial death, Jesus established a new covenant, and Christians are no longer bound by the ceremonial requirements of Leviticus. Nevertheless, the passage still offers valuable spiritual lessons. It calls believers to honor God with reverence, to pursue holiness, and to respect the distinction between what is pure and what is defiled in their lives. In conclusion, Leviticus 7:19 teaches the enduring principle of maintaining ceremonial purity and reverence in worship, reminding us to approach God with respect, obedience, and a heart set on holiness.
