AP

Leviticus 11:43-45  Do not defile yourselves by any of these creatures.  Do not make yourselves unclean by means of them or be made unclean by them.  I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.  Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves along the ground.  I am the LORD, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy..

It is interesting for us at this time in history to read through all these detailed instructions in Leviticus about what animals are ‘unclean’ for human consumption, and the contagious defiling effect caused by any contact by humans with anything ‘unclean’.  Whereas some of these things may be related to considerations of hygiene and bacterial contamination, it is difficult to find a consistent logical explanation for all the regulations in the light of modern scientific knowledge.  And, on top of this we have Jesus himself declaring ‘all things clean’ in New Testament times (see Mark 7:19, cf Acts 10:15).

It seems to me we must read the regulations in Leviticus in the light of the curse that was brought on the whole of Creation by the rebellion of Adam-and-Eve!  This would be consistent with the reason given by the LORD for them: “I am the LORD, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.”  Whatever way we look at things, we are sinful people by nature (cf Psalms 14 & 53, Romans 3:23, 5:12, etc), and we live in a world that is ubiquitously contaminated by sin, so it is not surprising that God needs to give his redeemed, covenant people strict instructions about what is involved in having wholesome fellowship with him.

Such a way of looking at things is consistent with the fact that Jesus came to ‘redeem’ creation along with his Chosen Covenant People, and therefore has the right to ‘declare all things clean’.

Applying all this to our situation today, where we are no longer under the strict food regulations in Leviticus, what is involved in our obeying the Apostle Peter’s instruction: “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15)?  Peter gives us the answer: “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.  As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance” (1 Peter 1:13-14).  For us, it is about being noticeably different in the culture in which we find ourselves, being ‘salt’ and ‘light’ in a rotting, dark world, or, as the Apostle Paul says: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2).  Let us take being holy seriously!

– Bruce Christian