Clean-Unclean

Did YAHshua nullify the
law of clean and unclean meats?

My family and I were enjoying some family time in the living room of our home recently when our daughter disgustedly proclaimed that one of her acquaintances had gone to a restaurant where he ate a meal of frog legs. My wife and I began to inform her of the various foods which are considered to be delicacies by the modern-day world. Let’s see, there’s scallops, lobsters, crabs, crayfish shrimp, escargot, squid, oysters, pork, dog, horse, snake, turtle, etc., etc. Each time we would name something off, our daughter would squeal in horror and disbelief. Why? Because she has never knowledgeably eaten such things as we observe the Scriptural command to avoid unclean foods.

So many of our own relatives as well as the modern-day Christian world would point their fingers at us laughingly informing us of the good tasting foods that we are missing out on. Most of them do so because they believe that YAHshua came and did away with the command to avoid unclean foods.

There are two key areas of Scripture which are utilized to justify this belief. The first one is found in Mark 7:19 which states, "And He saith unto them, ‘Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught,’ purging all meats?"

The second key Scripture is found in Col. 2:16-17, "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of the Messiah."

Much of the world has allowed many Scriptural things to be changed or done away because of statements such as these which have been taken out of context. What should be done before any Scriptural command is changed in the New Testament is to search out those Scriptures in order to see just what has been said concerning the topic. Let’s take "circumcision," for instance (which we will deal with in a future issue of the newsletter). It is obvious from a thorough search of the New Testament that physical fleshly circumcision made by the hands of man has been superceded by baptism (spiritual circumcision). Before anyone chooses to write us a nasty letter concerning this statement, please wait until we can deal with it in the future issue promised. Then we will pursue it further.

Now let’s look at Mark, chapter 7 to see what the topic was that brought on the statement in verse 19. In verses 1-5, "Then came together unto Him the Pharisees and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. 2. And when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen hands, they found fault. (3. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. 4. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.) 5. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, ‘Why walk not Thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands’?"

Notice carefully that the subject is not clean and unclean foods, but rather is whether to eat with washed or unwashed hands. The extensive washings spoken of here are not found in YAHWEH'S commands, but were added as traditions of men. Of course, as YAHshua proclaimed in Mk. 7:6-13, man’s own traditions become much more important in his eyes than the commandments of YAHWEH and eventually those man-made traditions are twisted to the point of overthrowing the commands of YAHWEH.

YAHshua continued in verses 14-21, "And when He had called all the people unto Him, He said unto them, Hearken unto Me every one of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. 16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. 17 And when He was entered into the house from the people, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. 18 And He saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; 19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? 20 And He said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."

Now what does it mean when He says, "Purging all meats?" The KJV utilizes old English renderings for certain words. The word "meats" utilized here doesn’t mean the meat of an animal, but rather foods. He was making a scientific statement wherein the body has the ability to extract from the foods that which is beneficial and to eliminate that which is not.

If the true meaning of "Purging all meats" has to do with the cleansing of all animals for consumption then why did Peter resist eating unclean animals in Acts, chapter 10?

The Centurion Cornelius was visited by the Angel of YAHWEH who informed him that he should send for the Apostle Peter (Acts 10:1-8). "On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14 But Peter said, Not so, Master; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What YAHWEH hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven," vv. 9-16.

While the Christian world also utilizes these Scriptures to justify eating unclean animals, the question is, Why was Peter so mystified at this command? Hadn’t he been with YAHshua years earlier when YAHshua responded to the Pharisees in Mk. 7? Shouldn’t this have joggled his memory concerning that incident and reminded him that YAHshua had purged all meats? Shouldn’t Peter now have said, Hey! I get it now! It’s OK for us to eat anything that YAHWEH has created under the sun.

But the Scriptures reveal that Peter was perplexed concerning this vision, "Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate, 18 and called and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. 19. While Peter thought on the vision, the spirit said unto him, ‘Behold, three men seek thee. 20. Arise therefore and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them’," Acts. 10:17-20.

When brought before Cornelius, Peter finally understood the true meaning of the vision, "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, ‘Of a truth I perceive that YAHWEH is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth HIM, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with HIM," Acts. 10:35-35. (Refer also to Acts 15:7-14)

The major point is that, had YAHWEH intended to cleanse unclean foods, then the spirit certainly would have revealed it to Peter and the other apostles at this time, but such was not the purpose.

People of other nations and ethnicity had been viewed by the Hebrews as being common and unclean. Many were even referred to as dogs. YAHWEH'S vision to Peter was making the point to him and the rest of the converted Hebrews that HE no longer was considering these peoples as common and unclean.

"Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days; which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of the Messiah."

Notice that the words days and is are in italics. This means that they are not a part of the original writings, but are supplied in order to supposedly help in understanding what is written. However in this case, with the word "is" supplied, there is no help in understanding, but rather confusion.

What should be understood here is that no man should judge us concerning these things but the body of the Messiah. These things, meat (food), drink, holydays, sabbaths, etc., are a shadow of things to come.

The Sabbath and holydays are tools YAHWEH gave His people in order to not only rest and rejoice before Him at His appointed times, but to understand His wondrous plan of salvation. Those who are not observing these days are basically ignorant that there is a schedule of events which must take place at the time that YAHWEH has ordained them to take place. (Order our free booklet entitled Col. 2:16-17 or Holidays Vs. Holidays, also our article entitled Should A New Testament Believer Observe The Sabbath Day? And our tract entitled Just Who Was It That Sanctified Sunday Worship?)

Believe it or not, foods, especially meats, can identify which Messiah you are serving! There is the true Messiah Who is the Lamb of Elohim. Then there is the false Messiah, who may be referred to as the lamb of Elohim, but whose followers ingest every kind of flesh imaginable which is a type of blending the truth about the Messiah with the unclean paganistic and heathenistic doctrines of the world. (Order our free article entitled The Covenant Of The Clean And Unclean)

Paul writes, "Wherefore if ye be dead with the Messiah from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (touch not; taste not; handle not; which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?" Col. 2:20-23.

Yes, it is true that if we observe the command of clean and unclean foods, that we are submitting ourselves to the ordinance of touch not, taste not, handle not, etc. But this command is not after the commandments and doctrines of men, but rather after the command and doctrine of YAHWEH! Paul is writing against the commandments and doctrines of men (such as, eat no meat on Friday, or abstain from certain kinds of foods during the Lenten season, etc.) not the commandments and doctrines of YAHWEH.

Near the beginning of chapter two, Paul speaks of the mystery of Elohim, and of the FATHER and of the Messiah in Whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (vv 2-3). Then he warns us by saying, "And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words," v. 4.

Who is it that beguiles? Didn’t the serpent beguile Eve in the garden of Eden? How did he beguile her? First by contradicting YAHWEH'S word and then stating an outright lie. The serpent beguiled Eve and enticed her to directly disobey the command of YAHWEH. What did he entice her to do? Wasn’t it to take a food that was forbidden and eat of it?

Notice Paul’s additional warning in verse 8, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world and not after the Messiah."

It’s the tradition of men and the rudiments (elementary principles) of the world that deceive and spoil us.

Philosophy is a combination of two word "philos" and "sophos". Philos is the Greek word for "love" and sophos means "wisdom." Philosophy, therefore, means "lover of wisdom." But which wisdom is this word speaking of?

Webster’s New World Dictionary defines philosophy as; 1. Orig. love of, or the search for, wisdom or knowledge 2. Theory or logical analysis of the principles of the universe: included in philosophy are ethics, aesthetics, logic, epistemology, metaphysics, etc. 3. The general principles or laws of a field of knowledge, activity, etc. [the philosophy of economics] 4. A) a particular system of principles for the conduct of life b) a treatise covering such a system. 5. A) a study of human morals, character, and behavior b) mental balance or composure thought of as resulting from this; calmness.

Notice that philosophy includes wisdom, knowledge, principles, laws, morals, character, behavior, balance and composure, but it all has to do with the way that man dictates these things. Not one thing is said about YAHWEH'S commands, wisdom, knowledge, morality, behavior, principles, etc. as revealed in His Holy Word. Man’s philosophy has nothing to do with Biblical wisdom!

Furthermore, "vain deceit" can also be translated as "empty delusion." Delusion is defined as; a false belief or opinion, a false, persistent belief not substantiated by sensory or objective evidence. (Webster’s New World Dictionary)

Thus, vain deceit or empty delusion has to do with something someone persistently believes in, but cannot be proven by sensory or objective evidence. In the case of clean and unclean foods, the evidence is YAHWEH'S word!

Paul wrote to Timothy, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which YAHWEH hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of YAHWEH is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of YAHWEH and prayer," 1 Tim. 4:1-5.

People look at this Scripture and then proclaim, See! Paul has said that we can eat everything that has been created. All animals are now good for food.

However, the key to understanding what Paul was speaking of is found in the very last verse, "…it is sanctified by the word of YAHWEH…" We find out what was sanctified by the word of YAHWEH by going to Lev. 11 and Deut. 14. YAHWEH reveals there what He sanctified for consumption and what He did not.

If you believe in YAHWEH'S word, then it must be the foundation upon which you build your life and knowledge. This means that you must refrain from so many things that the world, as a whole, delights in and pursues. This also means that the true believer may have to suffer from wants, lacks or even desires that the world simply doesn’t have to suffer. This makes the life of a true believer to be much more undesirable that the life of those seemingly enjoying the things of this world to the hilt. But our reward is future in the kingdom. YAHshua said that we must love Him and His way more than the world.

YAHWEH'S word must rule our lives in everything that we observe. We do not rejoice in the pagan holiday system that we see the world rejoicing in (Sunday, Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day, Halloween, etc., etc.) The fear of YAHWEH is the beginning of our wisdom (Prov. 9:10). The fear of YAHWEH is also the beginning of knowledge (Prov. 1:7). Therefore, we observe the holydays that He has commanded (Sabbath, Passover, Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles, Last Great Day, New Moon, etc.) We also observe His commands concerning the foods that we eat.

Following is a list of clean creatures that we are allowed to eat and unclean creatures that we are not:

• ANIMALS: Beef, sheep, antelope, buffalo, caribou, deer, elk, gazelle, giraffe, goat, hart, ibex, llama, moose, reindeer

• FISH/SEAFOOD: anchovy, bass, bluefish, carp, cod, crappie, flounder, grouper, grunt, haddock, halibut, hardhead, herring, mackerel, minnow, perch, pickerel, pike, rockfish, salmon, shad, smelt, snapper, sole, sunfish, tarpon, trout, tuna (albacore, bonita, yellowtail)

• BIRDS: chicken, dove, grouse, guinea fowl, partridge, peacock, pheasant, pigeon, songbirds, quail, turkey

• CREEPERS: different types of locusts which includes grasshoppers.

• ANIMALS: badger, bear, camel, cat, cheetah, coney, coyote, donkey, dog, elephant, fox, gorilla, hare, hippopotamus, horse, hyena, jackal, kangaroo, leopard, lion, monkey, mule, onager, opossum, panther, peccary, porcupine, quagga, raccoon, rhinoceros, skunk, squirrel, tiger, wallaby, weasel, zebra.

• FISH/SEA CREATURES: abalone, catfish, clam, crab, crayfish, cuttlefish, dolphin, eel, jellyfish, limpet, lobster, marlin, mussel, octopus, otter, oyster, prawn, scallop, shark, shrimp, squid, sturgeon, walrus, whale.

• BIRDS: albatross, bat, bittern, buzzard, condor, cormorant, crane, crow, cuckoo, *duck, eagle, flamingo, *goose, grosbeak, gull, hawk, heron, kite, lapwing, loon, osprey, ostrich, owl, pelican, penguin, plover, raven, stork, swallow, *swan, swift, vulture, *water hen, woodpecker.

• CREEPERS: crocodile, frog, insects (all, except the locust family), lizard, mole, mouse, newt, rat, salamander, snail, slug, toad, turtle.
  
• In both Lev. 11 and Dt. 14 the swan is mentioned, but a check of the Hebrew word from whence it is translated shows that it has to do with the water hen. The swan, duck and goose are all water hens, therefore we suggest that their flesh not be eaten.

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