4057 — Foods Lawful and Unlawful
By Editor
I have been greatly troubled about the eating of foods not lawful in the Old Testament. In 1 Corinthians 10 it is stated, "Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake," and yet I have understood that all the ordinances of the Old Testament were done away at the cross. Was not this done away with as well as circumcision? Please explain. H. V. There were laws which Israel had which were purely ceremonial laws, laws which pertained to types and shadows, pointing forward to Christ. Such were the laws regulating sacrifices, feasts, etc. There were other laws that were purely civil, and having to do with the sojourn of Israel in Palestine and their home government. There were still other laws that were based upon eternal principles,—principles that were just as true in one time and age of the world as another, laws which did not originate with the Israelites at all, but which were in perfect harmony with the dealings of God with His children at all times. Such was the tithing system, man's duty to render to the Lord and His cause a certain amount of what He gives us. Such was the law of clean and unclean meats. This did not originate with Israel. It was in vogue from the beginning. Two each of the unclean animals went into the ark, but fourteen each of the clean animals. Now these were not pronounced unclean arbitrarily. It was the very nature of the animal itself. The swine was not good food for God's children. It did not build up the best physical condition for good and loyal service. That was true of the rabbit, true of all birds of prey. It was true of other things, mentioned in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. And it is always true. While we have no law governing us as that law governed them, the principle is just as true today as it was then, and science teaches the same thing,—that the swine is not good to eat, that the rabbit is unwholesome, that there are a great deal better foods than flesh foods anyway, in the large-hearted menus which nature provides. 1 Corinthians 10 does not have reference to meats clean and unclean in the nature of the creature itself, but as regards offering to idols. The Jews were surrounded by people on every side who were idolatrous. The Israelites ate what the Levitical law allowed them to eat. That was true, doubtless, of Christians, many of whom were Jews, and many came in under the influence of Jewish Christians. The heathen who killed these beasts for food, many times offered them to idols; for idolatry entered into many phases of life. They were placed in the market, or shambles, for sale. One need not trouble his conscience by asking whether those meats had been offered to idols or not, because an idol was nothing to the Christian. It did not amount to anything to him,—that is, to the well-instructed one. But if some one standing by should tell him that that had been offered to idols, he must not injure that man's conscience by partaking. For the sake of him whose conscience was weak, let him refrain. And then the apostle gives us the rule that ought to guide us in all our eating and drinking,—"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." He who has this motto for his life will seek to wear such clothing as will honor God, he will seek to use such food as will put him in the very best physical condition for serving God, he will seek such employment and such pleasures as will lead to better service. God does not want His children bound in every step they take, or in every meal they eat, by hard and fast laws. He does want them in loyalty and love to bind themselves to Him to do that which is to His glory, and which will always be for their good.