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Leviticus 11 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
In Leviticus 11, God outlines both the clean and unclean animals. A general rule which was given to Israel was that clean animals would “chew the curd” but also have a completely divided hoof. Animals needed to have both of these characteristics to be considered clean. A few examples of clean animals were oxen, cattle, sheep, goats, and deer. Unclean animals would have been pigs, camels, rock badgers (hyraxes), and rabbits.
But there is also a spiritual significance to these animals that brings application for the modern Christian. Believers today should meditate on the Word of God (chew the cud) as well as have a separated walk from the rest of the world (separated hoof).
Levitical Laws & The Early Church
The Levitical laws regarding food caused an uproar in the early church. For years, the distinguishing feature of the Jewish people was their strict adherence to food laws and rituals. This was ingrained into their culture, and it was highly beneficial from a practical perspective. It was also a defining characteristic that separated them from the Gentiles. They were clean while the Gentiles were considered dirty. You could even say it became their identity.
Jesus, however, attacked this elevation of the law which went far beyond what God intended when He first implemented it here in Leviticus. In fact, it was not just with food. Jesus called out the act of elevating the Pharisaic tradition over the Word of God on many occasions. In a famous showdown with the Pharisees, Jesus gets right to the heart of the matter with laws and traditions.
Don’t you understand? Anything that goes into your mouth goes into your stomach and then on out of your body. 18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these are the things that make you ritually unclean. 19 For from your heart come the evil ideas which lead you to kill, commit adultery, and do other immoral things; to rob, lie, and slander others. 20 These are the things that make you unclean. But to eat without washing your hands as they say you should—this doesn’t make you unclean.”
Matthew 15:17-20 GNB
Basically, it’s more important to have a clean heart than to have clean hands before eating. This should have been obvious. In Mark’s version of the story, he adds, “Thus he declared all foods clean.” What a scandalous remark this must have been for the Jews who were listening! Peter also has a vision that affirms the point Jesus is making here with food.
He saw heaven opened and something coming down that looked like a large sheet being lowered by its four corners to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of animals, reptiles, and wild birds. 13 A voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat!” 14 But Peter said, “Certainly not, Lord! I have never eaten anything ritually unclean or defiled.” 15 The voice spoke to him again, “Do not consider anything unclean that God has declared clean.” 16 This happened three times, and then the thing was taken back up into heaven.
Acts 10:11-16 GNB
Soon after this, Peter preaches to Cornelius, a Gentile, and he is saved. It would have been unlawful for Peter to associate with a man like Cornelius. However, it is striking to consider that Peter connected the vision of clean/unclean food to clean/unclean people. Just as the ability to eat all foods had been given, the Gospel had also been opened to all people.
Through Christ we have freedom. Paul warns that, although we may eat freely as Christians, we should never cause another to stumble with our decision. It is love that guides the believer, not the strict rules of the law.