We are continuing on with our discussion about those mixtures and unions the Lord has called out as forbidden.
Yesterday, we came to an interesting conclusion on the topic.
Do you recall what it was?
I demonstrated and then concluded that from an earthly perspective, there isn’t anything inherently wrong with the so-called illicit mixtures or unions.
That’s right.
There isn’t anything incredibly wicked about planting 2 different kinds of seeds in close proximity to each other or…
…it’s not like satanic evil from the gates of hell is unleashed if one wears a T-shirt mixed with linen and wool.
Nor is it being cruel or abusive to attach a donkey and an ox to the same plow.
We actually touched on this idea back when we were studying the Kosher laws in the Book of Leviticus.
Here’s the conclusion we came to at that time.
Every and I mean EVERY ATTEMPT by Biblical scholars to explain WHY some animals are kosher (meaning ritually clean) and others aren’t have proven insufficient.
Every time these prideful Greek-thinking scientists and scholars have come up with some rational or scientific system to explain the “why” behind the Kosher laws , without exception it has been machine gunned down to the ground by some part of the Scriptures that rendered the argument a bullet-riddled corpse never to be resurrected again.
Nevertheless, people keep asking the same questions.
Why are some animals considered ritually clean and others aren’t?
Why can one offer up a bull to God but not a pig?
Why is an animal that has a cloven hoof or…
…an animal that doesn’t chew the cud considered unsuitable for purposes of holiness?
Why? Why? Why?
What’s up with all of these “why” questions?!
You know, the great Rashi told us to forget about asking “why” all the time.
He was right.
In order to adopt a proper Hebrew mindset when understanding the Scriptures, you’ve got to throw away the question “Why?” and in its place insert the interrogative “Which?”.
Forget about WHY the Lord established a certain law.
Instead look for WHICH pattern in Scripture can be applied to a certain situation.
Scripture unveils the secrets of the universe to us in patterns and principles.
Here’s the thing.
The Kosher food instructions, the commands governing animal sacrifice, and these laws of forbidden mixtures we’re currently studying here in Deuteronomy 22 are in some mysterious way…
…A REFLECTION OF ETERNAL SPIRITUAL TRUTHS RESIDENT IN THE HEAVENS.
They are physical illustrations of spiritual principles given to us so that we can understand our Creator better.
For instance, the Kosher food laws have nothing to do with a pig being inherently unhealthier than beef meat.
Japan, the country where I’m residing now has the longest life span surpassing 99% of the nations in the world and they eat the most un-kosher diet possibly in the history of mankind.
Understand we’re dealing with spiritual matters here, not some health or nutrition manual.
Remember, its the physical illustration the Lord is giving us that’s the point, NOT THE THINGS IN AND OF THEMSELVES.
The actions (mixing threads or seeds) and objects (pigs and shellfish) are NOT in an of themselves evil or unholy.
I’ve already demonstrated that from a practical perspective there are actually benefits to mixing threads or planting different seeds and you’re not going to keel over and die if you eat a pork chop or wolf down a plate of shrimp fried rice.
If that was the case, every Asian nation in existence would no longer be.
It’s the spiritual principle imparted from the physical illustrations that we’re supposed to catch and apply to our lives.
Got it?
Let’s move on and turn our attention to the closing statement of my last post.
Yesterday, the last thing I said was that the 4 laws of illicit mixtures are connected to the 7th Word of God which is “Thou shall not commit adultery“.
How exactly is this so?
Simple.
Just ask yourself…
…what is the Scriptural definition of adultery?
Biblically speaking, adultery is a FORBIDDEN or UNLAWFUL mixture or union.
We modern folks operate under the assumption that adultery is just a sexual crime.
But it goes much, much deeper than that.
It is really the mixing of two things that should NOT be mixed.
Heck, even the dictionary definition of the word “adulterate” illustrates this point.
Adulterate: to debase or make impure by adding inferior materials or elements; use cheaper, inferior, or less desirable goods in the production of (any professedly genuine article):
See, even the dictionary tells us that to “adulterate” something is to take something pure and destroy it by mixing it with something that is not pure.
All we have to do is substitute the word “holy” for “pure” in the above dictionary definition and BINGO…
…we’ve got a perfect Biblical definition of the word “adultery”.
From the Lord’s viewpoint, adultery equals mixing the holy with the unholy, the clean with the unclean AND…
…the righteous with the unrighteous.
What are some perfect earthly examples of this?
Hmm..let me think.
How about…
…transvestism or…
…planting two different kinds of seeds together or…
…mixing linen with wool or…
…or yoking two different types of animals together or…
…a believer becoming one flesh with an unbeliever or…
…a man sleeping with another man’s wife.
The goal of Scripture is to get us to lead holy lives so that in everything we do, we will be a perfect reflection of our HOLY Father in Heaven.
And remember, forget about the “why”!
Just focus on the PATTERNS Scripture is showing us via the many earthly or physical illustrations we’re given.
Leave a Reply