“These are the animals you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat, the deer, the gazelle, the roe deer, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope and the mountain sheep. You may eat any animal that has a divided hoof and that chews the cud. However, of those that chew the cud or that have a divided hoof you may not eat the camel, the rabbit or the hyrax. Although they chew the cud, they do not have a divided hoof; they are ceremonially unclean for you. The pig is also unclean; although it has a divided hoof, it does not chew the cud. You are not to eat their meat or touch their carcasses.”-Deuteronomy 14:4-8
From verses 4 and 5 in Deuteronomy 14, we’re given a list of CLEAN animals that are okay for Israel to eat.
What’s interesting is that only three of the animals listed are domesticated animals.
The rest are wild game of which the land of Canaan had an abundance.
Once the Israelites entered their Promised Land, they would end up eating a lot of antelopes, mountain goats, and tons of deer all of which were permitted for food.
Obviously, since only ten animals are called out, the list given us is far from exhaustive.
Therefore, from verse 6, we’re given the biological criteria on how to tell whether an animal is clean or not.
And what is that criteria?
It’s simple.
A clean animal must BOTH chew the cud and have a hoof that is split into two halves.
For example, camels, rabbits and the Coney were common animals in the land of Canaan.
However, verse 7 goes on to explain that although they chew the cud, they don’t have a separate hoof.
Therefore, these animals are DISQUALIFIED!
They must NOT be eaten.
Then from verse 8, we’re told why Israel is NOT to eat pork.
Again, in painstaking detail we’re told that while a pig does have a separated hoof, it doesn’t chew the cud.
Hence, this animal is DISQUALIFIED for food too!
But having said that, I want to reiterate a point I made a couple of days ago.
A pig is not necessarily less hygienic or healthier than a cow for instance.
Actually, contrary to popular belief, pigs aren’t capable of sweating.
Instead, they lie down in the mud to cool down.
The truth be told, pigs are some of the most hygienic animals around.
They refuse to excrete anywhere near their living or eating areas when they have a choice.
The idea that pork is unhealthy because pigs eat bad things doesn’t hold water.
Actually, many acceptable animals like goats and chickens will eat practically anything such as rodents for their food.
Yet they are Biblically Kosher and okay for food.
This all just goes to support what I’ve said earlier.
The Living God who created all things for His own good reasons has determined that some animals such as pigs are UNCLEAN and thus not to be eaten AND…
…some animals such as cows and chickens He declares CLEAN and thus okay to eat.
I close by asking you a question.
Are you going to trust God in what He has determined concerning CLEAN and UNCLEAN animals even if there doesn’t seem to be any logical (or scientific) reasons behind His decisions?
Leave a Reply