Leviticus 11:39-47

God gave further directions about the polluting effect of even clean animals that died (Leviticus 11:39-40). In a concluding exhortation (Leviticus 11:41-45) He called on His people to be holy as He is holy (Leviticus 11:44-45; cf. Leviticus 19:2; Leviticus 20:7; Leviticus 20:26; 1 Peter 1:16). Our highest duty is to imitate our creator.

"The solemn statement ’I am the LORD’ occurs forty-six times throughout Leviticus [Leviticus 11:44-45, passim], identifying Israel’s God as the ever living, ever present One. Every aspect of daily life was affected by the reality of the presence of God." [Note: Schultz, pp. 30-31.]

A final summary states the purpose of these laws: to distinguish between the unclean and the clean (Leviticus 11:46-47).

"The NT teaches that the OT food laws are no longer binding on the Christian. These laws symbolized God’s choice of Israel. They served as constant reminders of God’s electing grace. As he had limited his choice among the nations to Israel, so they for their part had to restrict their diet to certain animals." [Note: Wenham, The Book . . ., p. 183.]

"Those who have been redeemed by the holy, sovereign God must demonstrate his holiness in their everyday lifestyles (notably in eating)." [Note: Ross, p. 261.]