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90. Food, glorious Food!

3rd August 2000 by Arthur Eedle

In the last number I wrote in general about the moral law of the Old Testament. In this paper I should like to address the subject of Food, simply because it was an important issue to the Hebrews under Moses, and persists today in what the Jews call Kosher foods, those allowed under Mosaic legislation, and checked by local Rabbis. In a word, does any of this apply to Christians?  Let’s investigate.

Some years ago, when our three girls were in their late teens/early twenties, our fellowship did some intensive study of the O.T. laws. We found that there were 613 separate pieces of legislation!  By no means were all areas covered. The task was too great. But we studied a number of issues, and decided to act in accordance with the 4th commandment, namely a Saturday Sabbath. In the Youth Group, our girls decided to be more sensitive to the opposite sex in their manner of dress, which took on a more modest appearance. And as for the food laws, we found some very interesting facts. As a result, some friends from another church dubbed us with mocking alliteration, “the Eedle Church, with its Gospel of Sabbaths, Sausages, and Skirts.” We tried to take it all in good part! But our motives were guided by a single desire, that of pleasing the Lord, NOT to come under any bondage of legalism.

In the land of Israel in O.T. times, quite the majority of people were ordinary artisan folk, with little to spare. Their diet was largely vegetarian. Just occasionally they would have a meat meal, but it would have to be a special occasion, and often involved sharing an animal with neighbours.

In contrast, the typical Englishman’s dinner is “meat-and-two-veg,” and if no meat is served up, he is inclined to pull a face. But for breakfast he would have had bacon, egg, and sausage. And for tea, he would quite likely have more protein, perhaps ham and salad. In other words, in a typical day he might well have had portions of meat three times over. Herein is the great contrast with the ancient Israelites.   The Mosaic code specified which species of protein-based foodstuffs were allowed. Not all the creatures’ names are meaningful to us today, (When did you last see a pygarg?) and have to be conjectured, but even so, we can obtain a fairly good idea of what was meant. It is therefore possible to draw up a list of “clean foods” and “unclean foods”. It is worth while looking at the list, as follows.

Clean Foods Unclean Foods
Beef Horse, Camel
Lamb Dog, Cats of all kinds
Goat Weasel, Ferret, Rock Badger
Venison Mouse, Rat
Chicken Chameleon, Mole
Dove Lizards, Snails, Frogs, Snakes
Partridge Eagle, Hawk, Falcon, Buzzard
Quail Vulture, Owl, Crow
Fish with Scales Stork, Heron, Pelican
Locusts Seagull, Cormorant, Hoopoe, Bat
Pig, Rabbit, Hare, Turtle, Lobster, Prawn, Scampi

By certain ingenious manipulation, some expositors have taken selected verses from the New Testament to prove that the food laws no longer exist. But they fail to realise that (in the Western World, at least) man has adhered to the Mosaic legislation without even acknowledging it, often without even realising that it exists. Look at the list of forbidden foods in the above table. It is not our practice to eat any of them!

However, modern man has made certain exceptions to the food laws, by eating Pig meat (as Bacon, Pork, Ham, Gammon, Pork Sausages), and the other items in italics at the end of the list. Why therefore boast that we are free from the restrictions of the Law, when we create our own law, almost exactly the same as that of Moses’ day?

It is said that Peter received a vision of a sheet let down from heaven containing “all manner of four-footed beasts, creeping things, and fowls of the air”, thus to indicate the abolition of the food laws. But the signification was made clear to Peter, that it referred to the entrance of the Gentiles to the household of faith, not to food at all. If the Lord had intended the vision to apply to food, then why don’t people eat the items that Peter saw, such as rats and mice, dogs and cats, creepy-crawlies, and so on?

What was the purpose of the food laws? Two aspects come to mind – (a) the health of the nation, and (b) certain ceremonial functions connected with sacrifice.  Of these, the second has no modern significance. The first still applies. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and to neglect the factors relating to healthy living is to dishonour the Lord.

So what about all the multifarious varieties of pork on the market? Can we eat them today? I think the answer must be found within the conscience and intelligence of each individual. The original food laws were set for the Middle East, and related to the animals found there, and the climatic conditions obtaining. If we transfer the whole concept to Britain and America, for example, and decide that pig meat, and sea foods are now harmless to our constitution, then we shall find no inner prohibition to their consumption. But some may still find that the original legislation would be “safer” for the sake of our health, and therefore wish to continue respecting the whole spectrum of the ancient Mosaic law.

It must be emphasised yet again, that this is not a matter of straitjacketing, but to be in tune with common sense, and healthy living. There is so much to learn from all the sundry laws of the O.T. They are full of wisdom, and hidden significances. But all the ceremonial aspects of the Law have been fulfilled in Christ, and therefore have no place in modern spiritual living.

Filed Under: The Wayside Pulpit Tagged With: Expository Items

About Arthur Eedle

Arthur was born in 1931, and became a Christian in 1948. At London University he gained a 2nd honours degree in Physics. He went on to get a Teaching Diploma, and throughout his career life taught physics in England, Kenya, and Hong Kong. Coupled with his love of science, he was a keen student of Greek and Hebrew, and gave many lectures on Biblical subjects. Read more

The Wayside Pulpit

1. Introduction

11th May 1999 By Arthur Eedle

2. Rave Music

13th May 1999 By Arthur Eedle

3. “I know you”

13th June 1999 By Arthur Eedle

4. God of all men

15th June 1999 By Arthur Eedle

5. Truth and Error

21st June 1999 By Arthur Eedle

6. Ruth Prince

2nd July 1999 By Arthur Eedle

7. Talking Trees

3rd July 1999 By Arthur Eedle

8. Dangers of rock music

6th July 1999 By Arthur Eedle

9. True Worship

9th July 1999 By Arthur Eedle

10. A wonderful building

11th July 1999 By Arthur Eedle

11. Traits of the self-life

15th July 1999 By Arthur Eedle

12. 100 Pianos

28th July 1999 By Arthur Eedle

13. “Much more” & “No more”

5th August 1999 By Arthur Eedle

14. Evangelism and the second advent

8th August 1999 By Arthur Eedle

15. Tribute to Ron Wyatt

10th August 1999 By Arthur Eedle

16. The opening of the Kansas Senate in the USA

12th August 1999 By Arthur Eedle

17. The face of feminism

14th August 1999 By Arthur Eedle

18. The second coming of Elijah

19th August 1999 By Arthur Eedle

19. Mellowing with age

21st August 1999 By Arthur Eedle

20. The rationality of the Christian faith

24th August 1999 By Arthur Eedle

21. The first and the lost

28th August 1999 By Arthur Eedle

22. The coming of the Lord

2nd September 1999 By Arthur Eedle

23. “I am coming tomorrow!”

4th September 1999 By Arthur Eedle

24. Living stones for a spiritual temple

7th September 1999 By Arthur Eedle

25. Rosh Hashana – the feast of trumpets

10th September 1999 By Arthur Eedle

26. A Tribute to the Rock-Badger’s Family

14th September 1999 By Arthur Eedle

27. The Cursed Fig Tree

17th September 1999 By Arthur Eedle

28. “Tell me the old, old story”

19th September 1999 By Arthur Eedle

29. A Sovereign Work

22nd September 1999 By Arthur Eedle

30. Today is the Secret of Tomorrow

24th September 1999 By Arthur Eedle

31. Neatly Packaged Boxes and Illuminated Signposts

1st October 1999 By Arthur Eedle

32. “In danger of hell fire”

3rd October 1999 By Arthur Eedle

33. The Silent Witness

5th October 1999 By Arthur Eedle

34. The Lesson of Amos

8th October 1999 By Arthur Eedle

35. The Great Tribulation

11th October 1999 By Arthur Eedle

36. “Until”

14th October 1999 By Arthur Eedle

37. The Unnerving Power of Tradition

18th October 1999 By Arthur Eedle

37a. The Explorer

19th October 1999 By Arthur Eedle

38. The Dart Family

22nd October 1999 By Arthur Eedle

39. “Nothing new under the Sun”

31st October 1999 By Arthur Eedle

40. “When the Stars begin to fall”

1st November 1999 By Arthur Eedle

41. The Coming of the Christ

3rd November 1999 By Arthur Eedle

42. “Like unto Moses.”

6th November 1999 By Arthur Eedle

43. “Sweet Revenge!”

7th November 1999 By Arthur Eedle

44. The Second Coming

14th November 1999 By Arthur Eedle

45. Forgiveness & Punishment

23rd November 1999 By Arthur Eedle

47. The Pattern and Purpose of the Cherubim

2nd December 1999 By Arthur Eedle

48. The Unforgivable Sin

4th December 1999 By Arthur Eedle

49. Japhah, the Beautiful One

5th December 1999 By Arthur Eedle

50. Resurrection by Judgement

11th December 1999 By Arthur Eedle

51. “The Saviour of Mankind”

17th December 1999 By Arthur Eedle

52. “Bad Associations corrupt Good Customs”

29th December 1999 By Arthur Eedle

53. Fingerprints and Irises

2nd January 2000 By Arthur Eedle

54. Cats, Dogs and Philodendrons

4th January 2000 By Arthur Eedle

55. The Second Eve

15th January 2000 By Arthur Eedle

56. The Illuminati

22nd January 2000 By Arthur Eedle

57. The Dark Day of May 19th 1780

24th January 2000 By Arthur Eedle

58. Hidden Significances

26th January 2000 By Arthur Eedle

59. “Before”

5th February 2000 By Arthur Eedle

60. When “shall” becomes “will”

10th February 2000 By Arthur Eedle

61. The Death of the Husband

13th February 2000 By Arthur Eedle

63. St. Paul the Abortion

25th February 2000 By Arthur Eedle

64. The Moral Dilemma

27th February 2000 By Arthur Eedle

65. The Moral Dilemma. A Personal Answer

1st March 2000 By Arthur Eedle

66. The Moral Dilemma. A Second Answer

4th March 2000 By Arthur Eedle

67. The Joy of our Salvation

11th March 2000 By Arthur Eedle

68. The love of God

16th March 2000 By Arthur Eedle

69. The Windows of the Soul

28th March 2000 By Arthur Eedle

70. Vision & Prophecy

2nd April 2000 By Arthur Eedle

71. Confusion

12th April 2000 By Arthur Eedle

72. Creation’s Vanity

18th April 2000 By Arthur Eedle

73. “Friend, move up higher!”

2nd May 2000 By Arthur Eedle

74. The Last Generation

25th May 2000 By Arthur Eedle

75. The House of the Soul

29th May 2000 By Arthur Eedle

76. The Opening of the Sheath

1st June 2000 By Arthur Eedle

77. Possession

2nd June 2000 By Arthur Eedle

78. Ancestral Bondage

5th June 2000 By Arthur Eedle

79. The State of the Dead

7th June 2000 By Arthur Eedle

80. Professor William Barclay

10th June 2000 By Arthur Eedle

81. The Unacceptable Face of Universalism

12th June 2000 By Arthur Eedle

82. No Escape from the Fire

21st June 2000 By Arthur Eedle

83. My Help

22nd June 2000 By Arthur Eedle

84. Our Stories

27th June 2000 By Arthur Eedle

85. Filling up that which is lacking

9th July 2000 By Arthur Eedle

86. Road Rage

15th July 2000 By Arthur Eedle

87. Immanuel

19th July 2000 By Arthur Eedle

88. Daughters of Thunder

27th July 2000 By Arthur Eedle

89. Casting off all Restraint

1st August 2000 By Arthur Eedle

90. Food, glorious Food!

3rd August 2000 By Arthur Eedle

91. The Kindly Laws of the Old Testament

7th August 2000 By Arthur Eedle

92. Resurrection

2nd September 2000 By Arthur Eedle

93. More about Resurrection

15th September 2000 By Arthur Eedle

94. “With what body do they come?”

22nd September 2000 By Arthur Eedle

95. One Helluva Hole

9th October 2000 By Arthur Eedle

96. A Whale of a Tale

10th October 2000 By Arthur Eedle

97. The Hallelujah Chorus

11th October 2000 By Arthur Eedle

98. “It never even entered my mind.”

16th October 2000 By Arthur Eedle

99. A Passionate Plea for Truth

18th October 2000 By Arthur Eedle

100. Warfare in the Heavenlies

20th October 2000 By Arthur Eedle

101. “The Lamb and Flag”

27th October 2000 By Arthur Eedle

102. Souls of men

1st November 2000 By Arthur Eedle

103. Sacrifice

4th November 2000 By Arthur Eedle

106. For whom did Christ die?

16th December 2000 By Arthur Eedle

107. “I cannot tell . . . but this I know.”

18th December 2000 By Arthur Eedle

108. The Great Cloud of Witnesses

19th December 2000 By Arthur Eedle

109. The law of circularity

10th January 2001 By Arthur Eedle

110. James Relly & John Murray

13th January 2001 By Arthur Eedle

Article Series

  • All our Yesterdays (30)
  • Before He comes (13)
  • God's Spoken Word (37)
  • Mysteries of Science & Faith (8)
  • New Series (101)
  • Newsletter (2)
  • Original Series (109)
  • Prophecy considerations (5)
  • Recognising the Hand of Judgment (33)
  • Resurrection and Change (16)
  • Seekers Corner (14)
  • Simple Statements on Serious Subjects (6)
  • The City of God (18)
  • The Millennial Octave (23)
  • The Restitution Times (22)
  • The Song of Solomon (6)
  • The Standard (19)
  • The Wayside Pulpit (107)
  • The Wayside Pulpit 2015 (96)
  • The Wellspring (101)
  • The Wellspring 2017 (55)

Index of Topics

Arthur & Rosalind Eedle's Personal Testimonies Discipleship Expository Items Good and Evil Human Pre-Existance Jane Leade. Philadelphian Numerology in the Bible Quotations from other Authors Resurrection and the Change Ron Wyatt. Archaeology Science Topics The Kingdom of God the Millennium and the Return of Christ The Sabbath Day Universal Reconcilliation

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