Why is it important to distinguish "between the unclean and the clean"? Setting the Scene – Leviticus 11:47 “to distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between the creatures that may be eaten and those that may not be eaten.” Why God Gave This Distinction • Holiness reflects God’s own character. – “For I am the LORD who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God; therefore you shall be holy, because I am holy.” (Leviticus 11:45) • Obedience shows covenant loyalty. – “Walk in all the way that I command you, that it may go well with you.” (Jeremiah 7:23) • Clear boundaries protect from syncretism with pagan practices. – “You are therefore to make a distinction... so you do not defile yourselves.” (Leviticus 20:25–26) The Heart Behind the Command • Physical symbols teach spiritual truths. – Just as touching a carcass brought ceremonial defilement, tolerating sin contaminates the heart (James 4:8). • Daily choices shape identity. – Repeatedly deciding what to eat or avoid ingrained an awareness of belonging to God (Deuteronomy 14:2). • Separation is a witness. – Israel’s diet set them apart in every marketplace, silently testifying to the living God (Deuteronomy 4:6–8). Carried into the New Covenant • The categories of food laws are fulfilled in Christ (Mark 7:19; Acts 10:15), yet the principle of separation remains. • Believers are called to moral and relational purity. – “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 6:17) – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2) Practical Takeaways for Today • Guard your influences. – Entertainment, friendships, and digital content can be clean or unclean in effect. • Discern with Scripture, not culture. – Test everything by God’s unchanging Word (1 Thessalonians 5:21). • Pursue internal holiness, not mere external rule-keeping. – “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every impurity of body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1) • Celebrate the freedom Christ gives while honoring the call to be distinct. – “For you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:20) Summing It Up Distinguishing between the unclean and the clean matters because it showcases God’s holiness, shapes a people for His own possession, and continues to call believers to lives that clearly reflect the One who has set them apart. |
    |