The Meat Law (Part I)

THE MEAT LAW
(PART I)

1Co 8:8 “But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.”

In a previous edition we looked at whether speaking in tongues was necessary for salvation. We proved without a shadow of doubt from the scriptures that it is in no way required for salvation. This week we turn our attention to the Meat Law and whether this too will affect or jeopardize our eternal blessing.

Scientific study continues to prove to us that too much meat in the diet can be harmful. We are always encouraged to get more of our protein from other foods as too much meat cause some of the diseases we suffer from today. While this is debatable among the scientific world, this relates to our temporal life here on earth. Our focus, however, is on the spiritual man and what will affect his relationship with God. Will eating any or certain meat cause us to go to hell fire? There is one particular faith that continues to preach in some of its churches that certain meats MUST not be eaten. Who gave them that law? How did they arrive at such conclusion? Is this law that they observe was made to be continued in these times? So many questions and surely we will get to the bottom of this so that all our readers will see that the Bible, the Word of God is truth.

In the Old Testament book of Leviticus it is evident that the Lord gave instructions to Moses to give the Israelites concerning eating of meats.

Lev 11:2 “Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth.”
Lev 11:3 “Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.“
Lev 11:4 “Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.”

The eleventh chapter of Leviticus is often times used by some ministers of the world to deceive people that they should not eat certain meats. After reading this chapter everyone may say to themselves that those ministers are surely right in their teaching because the Bible is quite explicit on the matter. Those meats that are unclean are an abomination unto the Lord if eaten. Again we will continue to remind our readers that precept must be upon precept, line upon line, here a little and there a little (Isaiah 28:10). There are other references in the Bible about this subject therefore we will spend time to examine them carefully. Do not forget the opening scripture we quoted from at the beginning of our article.

Why did God outlaw the eating of certain meats? What made them unclean? A lot of research has gone into these studies and many conclusions drawn. The swine eats just about any and everything that is thrown to it. Just imagine anything!! Who would really want to eat such meat? There are many such animals that do the same. Who wouldn’t classify them as being unhealthy for human consumption!!

Israel was issued this new law to be observed and the consequences of not observing it was quite severe. As Israel traveled in the wilderness towards the Promised Land, God once more came and gave them instructions concerning the eating of meats. Yes readers, there is more written about it than just what is there in Leviticus.

Deu 12:15 “Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee: the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the roebuck, and as of the hart.”

It seems we strengthen the arguments of those ministers who teach certain meats are forbidden by quoting these supporting scriptures. Are we really supporting them? Please tune in to the next edition when we continue our debate on this controversial topic.