Leviticus 11:46, 47 This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moves in the waters… This is the law (verse 46). But "it is the law" no longer; consider - I. THE FACT THAT THIS LEVITICAL LAW HAS BEEN SET ASIDE. 1. Perhaps by the word of our Lord in Mark 7:15, especially taking the translation of verse 19, "This he said, making all meats pure" (Farrar, 'Life of Paul,' volume 1, page 276). 2. Certainly by the heavenly voice and the apostolic conduct (Acts 10:14, 48). 3. By united apostolic agreement (Acts 15:22-29). 4. By inspired Epistles (1 Corinthians 8:8; Romans 14:4; 1 Timothy 4:3, 4). Clearly we are not under any obligation to observe these statutes. We learn from this our immunity - II. THAT SUCH PICTORIAL TEACHING IS NOT NOW NEEDED. What moral and spiritual lessons were to be conveyed by these injunctions and by the habits of thought and deed they created, have been learnt; the rudimentary lesson is no longer needed. We are supposed to understand or to be able to learn in other ways what God means by holiness, how hateful sin is in his sight, how prevalent it is, how manifold in its shapes and colours, how sedulously it is to be avoided. III. THAT GOD TRUSTS US TO ACT ARIGHT IN THIS MATTER OF BODILY NOURISH MEET. The Law treated the race as if it were in its religious childhood; the gospel as if it had attained to manhood (Galatians 4:1, 23). Christ our Lord trusts us to act wisely and faithfully. We must honour his Divine confidence in us. We shall do so by: 1. Intelligent study of what is really wholesome and health-giving. 2. Moderation in the use of that which is "good for food." 3. Endeavour to make the body the active servant of the soul. - C. Parallel Verses KJV: This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth: |
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