How does Leviticus 11:21 guide us in discerning dietary practices today? Text in Focus: Leviticus 11:21 “Yet you may eat the following kinds of winged creatures that walk on all fours: those that have jointed legs above their feet for hopping on the ground.” Why This Verse Matters • It sits within an entire chapter that distinguishes clean from unclean creatures (Leviticus 11). • The verse singles out a small group of insects—locusts, crickets, grasshoppers—as permissible, while barring all others (vv. 22–23). • By naming exceptions, God teaches that purity is not random but purposeful and revealed. What Made These Insects “Clean” • Jointed, spring-like hind legs set them apart from other insects. • Their diet (primarily vegetation) posed minimal health risk for Israel in the wilderness. • They were abundant, providing protein when other meat was scarce (cf. Joel 1:4). Timeless Principles We Draw • God alone defines what is acceptable (Genesis 2:16-17; Deuteronomy 8:3). • Holiness touches everyday life, even the dinner table (Leviticus 11:44-45). • Discernment requires careful attention to God’s specific words, not human preference (Proverbs 30:5-6). New-Covenant Light on Food • Jesus declared, “Whatever enters a man from the outside cannot defile him… Thus He declared all foods clean.” (Mark 7:18-19) • Peter’s vision: “What God has cleansed, you must not call common.” (Acts 10:15) • Paul affirms, “For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.” (1 Timothy 4:4) These passages show that ceremonial boundaries were fulfilled in Christ. The moral principle—obedient separation unto God—remains. How Leviticus 11:21 Guides Our Dietary Choices Today • Remember Ownership: Food comes from the Creator; receive it with gratitude. • Exercise Discernment: Investigate what you eat; avoid anything that harms body or conscience (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). • Maintain Distinctiveness: Choose habits that reflect holiness and self-control, not cultural excess (Philippians 4:5). • Avoid Legalism: Do not condemn believers who exercise liberty differently (Romans 14:3-4). • Honor Community: If a menu choice offends a weaker brother, love limits freedom (Romans 14:15). Practical Steps • Read labels and research foods, measuring them against stewardship of health. • Give thanks before eating, acknowledging God’s provision (1 Timothy 4:5). • Fast or abstain when the Spirit prompts, using discipline to deepen devotion (Matthew 6:16-18). • Celebrate freedom wisely—enjoy variety without indulging in gluttony (Proverbs 23:20-21). Leviticus 11:21 reminds us that God cares about what fills our plates and how those choices shape our witness. |
    |