Obedience Without Explanation

Leviticus 11 is not scintillating reading. It is the division of clean and unclean animals, birds and insects. It does not grab your interest and it has been used to defend rejection of the Bible's standards on other moral issues such as homosexuality. Sometimes we may wonder why God put Leviticus 11 in the Bible.

It's there for a very important reason.

To be sure, all that God created was good in Genesis 1 and 2. He did not create "unclean" animals and after the resurrection of Jesus all animals are considered clean once again (see Acts 10). But for Israel, in their formative years as the people of God, there were to be distinctions for what they could and could not touch or eat. These are the laws of the clean and unclean.

Now our modern sensibilities get twisted in a knot because God has the audacity to dole out these commands for Israel without explanation. Why not eat the pig? It's delicious! Why avoid shellfish? Isn't lobster a wonderful delicacy? Some have inferred answers to why God says no to some things and not others without any Biblical or historical warrant. Some say the unclean animals were endangered. Others may suggest that in those times, those animals would be detrimental to their health. Still, some believe that God was calling Israel into absolute distinction from the other nations by limiting their diet. The first chapter of Daniel offers a hint in that direction but nothing more.

Here's my thought. God wanted his people to learn how to obey Him without needing explanation!

Leviticus 11:43–45 (ESV) You shall not make yourselves detestable with any swarming thing that swarms, and you shall not defile yourselves with them, and become unclean through them. 44 For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground. 45 For I am the LORD who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.”

I think Israel was to obey God in this unexplained regard simply to learn how to trust Him and what He said. The Word of God is our true food (Deuteronomy 8:3). Israel was not to base their sustenance on what they could harvest in their efforts and imaginations. They were to trust God's provision in all things and learn to hear Him about even the normative aspects of life - eating, carrying water, etc. 

So too the Christian must learn to follow God even when it conflicts with our understanding. Holiness is about consecration to God's purposes. It is about being distinct and different for a reason - and that reason is to glorify Him. To glorify Him means to bring attention to Him in our world and to give Him the weight in our opinions. How would Israel learn this? With every meal! Every time they ate, they would remember that God has instructions for them specifically and they are His people!

So too Christian, you are called out of darkness into His light to show forth His praises! Your life is not your own. You are called to obey God even when it doesn't make sense and everyone else is able to do what He says isn't right. We obey sans explanation because we understand His Word is true life and bread for our souls. What a picture of trust and dependency upon our loving Father. 

Mind you, this is for US, not the people of this world. Commentators point out how these severe stipulations are always directed to "the people of Israel." God is talking to those He called and saved. These rules were not to be forced on the other nations. Israel alone was to represent a people who depended on His instruction even when others did not. How else will the world see the glory of God if His people do not give Him the most coveted prize of the human condition - our own autonomy - which is an illusion in the first place. 

Leviticus 11 challenges us to challenge our senses. What seems fine may not be. What others can do, we cannot. We march to the beat of a different drummer. We follow where He leads. Even when there's no explanation offered.