Leviticus 11 gives us God's instructions to Aaron and Moses regarding food that was either "clean" or "unclean".  The priests were given this revelation with the responsibility to teach the people.  The Lord tells His people how they can remain pure.. by obedience to His commands.. and what to do when they become "unclean".  He tells them in verse 43 "Do not render yourselves detestable.. you shall not make yourselves unclean.. "  This is the Lord's revealed will for His people so that they will be "holy". 

"For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am holy." v44b

"For I am the Lord, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, to be your God; thus you shall be holy for I am holy." v45

"This is the law.. to make a distinction between the unclean and clean, and between the edible creature and the creature which is not to be eaten." v46-47

Food is a necessity. But why these laws?  In Acts 10:14-15 we read about how God spoke to Peter, telling him to "kill and eat" these "unclean" animals that the Law condemned.  Peter said, "By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean."  Yet, God replies.. "What God has cleansed no longer consider unholy." 

This is not the only time that God spoke to people about what they were to eat.  Remember in Genesis 2 when God gave the first commandment to Adam?  "and the Lord God commanded the man, saying, 'From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat.. " (v16-17)  It is after the flood that the Lord makes a new covenant with Noah and his sons.  In Genesis 9:3-4 the Lord says, "Every moving thing that is alive shall be food for you; I give all to you, as I gave you the green plant.  Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood."

The commentaries suggest that the laws given to Israel about clean and unclean food.. or actions.. or anything... were for one purpose.. to distinguish His people from all others.. to set them apart as "holy". 

So.. how does this effect our lives today?  God still calls us to be holy.. as Peter writes.. "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy." (I Peter 1:14-16)   It is not about the food we do or do not eat.. for  Jesus said..  in Matthew 15.. " Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is eliminated? But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man." (v17-18)  Holiness "in all your behavior"..  in your manner of life; your conduct, your conversation .. goes beyond just what you eat.. it is about what is in your heart!

Father in heaven,  cleanse us as only You can.. for we are bought.. redeemed.. not with perishable things.. "but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. " ( I Peter 1:19)  Our faith and hope are in You.  May we be obedient to the truth.. so that we may be purified in our souls, and have a sincere love of our brothers and sisters in Christ.. (v22) We come and ask this in His Name.. Amen