Leviticus 10-12

What is the most disgusting thing you've ever eaten? My step father once ate lamb fries! Yuck! (if you don't know what those are... go ask your mom!) As for me, though I am not a picky eater, I rarely venture outside the normal meat selections... chicken, pork, beef, and some seafood, typically fish.

But as I read today, I was amazed by God's menu options for His people. What's the big deal about "chewing cud and no split hoof?" Why are grasshoppers and locust okay to eat, but crab legs a no-no? Cows yes, pork no. Sometimes I try to rationalize the categorical differences. Crabs are bottom feeders (which included eating excrement), fish eat other fish and plants. So maybe they are better for us since they eat better quality foods themselves. Cows eat grass, pigs eat slop. But being honest, these stipulations seem a bit arbitrary. Rabbits eat grass, why do their feet matter so much? And why did God even create (or declare) unclean options in the first place?

I think part of the answer lies in Leviticus 11:44, "For I am the Lord you God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy." God had called out the Israelites to be His special people. They were to look different which included acting and eating differently. They were to be set apart from all other nations. Eating regulations were just one part of this calling. Being holy and pure in their behavior pointed the world to a holy God. But purity was not simply a matter of one's dietary selections. It went beyond this to the purity of the heart. They were to act in such a way to reflect their relationship with God. It was a testament to His position in their community and individual lives. God demanded holiness, because that is His very nature... this was to permeate their entire lives as His representative people.

Being a Christian today is little different. Though we do not have the same strict dietary standards the Jews did, we are called nonetheless to the same standards of holiness. "Be holy, for I am holy" is not just an OT cry, but a mantra for the NT also (see 1 Peter 1:16).

Holiness is expected to permeate our lives too. We are to be the aroma of Christ, the light of the world shining like stars. Holiness is to embody our entire lives. "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31). Our holiness points to the glory of God.Even in our eating and drinking we are to point to Christ. To the minute details we are to seek to honor Him.

Still, I am thankful that pork chops at Patti's have been declared clean 'cause she sure does them up right! But I should also remember that though all things have been made clean, all things are not profitable or beneficial for the body. I'll ponder that next time I go to devour a ho-ho! Everything we do reflects Christ to the world. How different do you look?