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Question from Farrah:
Hello, I am really struggling with a question. Does Isaiah 66:17 say that we should not eat pork? It has to do with pork. I have read that pigs carry tons of diseases that they pass on to humans, and that they are used in some parts of the world strictly to, "clean-up" because they will eat anything. Some tribes will put them under their toilet holes, which the pig then eats the tribe's feces. I just don't want to pass on any information to anyone that may not be from God or what is in the Bible. In Isaiah 66:17, it groups people that eat swine in with Revelation and that makes me think that we are not suppossed to ea t pork. But, there are also parts of the NT, that state that all foods are clean, like when Peter is praying on the roof. But I read that those animals represented people, not really animals. I also read that all the passages in the NT have to do with meat sacrificed to idols. I personally do not eat pork for three reasons: 1. I don't know if the Bible says it is okay 2. It seems that pork is the cause of many diseases. 3. I don't want to be a stumbling block for any of my Muslim friends and my husband. Did Jesus follow the dietary rule about not eating pork? The last thing I want to do is judge anyone on what they do or do not eat. I remember being that way as a Muslim. I am wondering if God said to not eat pork, for our health, but it is not a rule that we "have" to follow. It is just there as a guideline if we want our body to be a Temple. I would love to hear what you think. God bless, Farrah
Answer:
Farrah:
The context of Isaiah 66:17 is: God's judgment upon the self-righteous efforts of the pagan idolotry that many of God's covenant people (Jews) had embraced. See also Isaiah 65:3-8 for a more comprehensive description of their blatant disregard for Jehovah and their pagan practices. For the Jews under the old covenant the eating of pork was forbidden because of the need for ritual purification. While pork may be inferior as human food (according to some), God gives us freedom to eat it as you have stated in your mention of Peter's experience in Acts 10. Your desire to not be a "stumbling block" to your Muslim friends and your husband reveals a sensitivity and compassion for them which is very refreshing (and biblical). The principle of not exercising certain freedoms (eating meat that had been used in idol worship) for the sake of the spiritual welfare of others (Romans 14; 1 Corinthians 8) is in reference to the beleiver's relationship with fellow believers who were "weak" or new Christains. While the context refers to the way believers ought to exercise love and sensitivity to one another, I think it is fair to say that the principle certainly "spills-over" to having a sensitivity and love in reaching our lost friends for Jesus.
Listen to the Lord, and don't eat if you have doubt. (Romans 14:22-23)
Pastor J. Jay WilliamsonLiving Hope Church
www.livinghopetoledo.org --- livinghopechurch@livinghopetoledo.org
Hello, I am really struggling with a question. Does Isaiah 66:17 say that we should not eat pork? It has to do with pork. I have read that pigs carry tons of diseases that they pass on to humans, and that they are used in some parts of the world strictly to, "clean-up" because they will eat anything. Some tribes will put them under their toilet holes, which the pig then eats the tribe's feces. I just don't want to pass on any information to anyone that may not be from God or what is in the Bible. In Isaiah 66:17, it groups people that eat swine in with Revelation and that makes me think that we are not suppossed to ea t pork. But, there are also parts of the NT, that state that all foods are clean, like when Peter is praying on the roof. But I read that those animals represented people, not really animals. I also read that all the passages in the NT have to do with meat sacrificed to idols. I personally do not eat pork for three reasons: 1. I don't know if the Bible says it is okay 2. It seems that pork is the cause of many diseases. 3. I don't want to be a stumbling block for any of my Muslim friends and my husband. Did Jesus follow the dietary rule about not eating pork? The last thing I want to do is judge anyone on what they do or do not eat. I remember being that way as a Muslim. I am wondering if God said to not eat pork, for our health, but it is not a rule that we "have" to follow. It is just there as a guideline if we want our body to be a Temple. I would love to hear what you think. God bless, Farrah
Answer:
Farrah:
The context of Isaiah 66:17 is: God's judgment upon the self-righteous efforts of the pagan idolotry that many of God's covenant people (Jews) had embraced. See also Isaiah 65:3-8 for a more comprehensive description of their blatant disregard for Jehovah and their pagan practices. For the Jews under the old covenant the eating of pork was forbidden because of the need for ritual purification. While pork may be inferior as human food (according to some), God gives us freedom to eat it as you have stated in your mention of Peter's experience in Acts 10. Your desire to not be a "stumbling block" to your Muslim friends and your husband reveals a sensitivity and compassion for them which is very refreshing (and biblical). The principle of not exercising certain freedoms (eating meat that had been used in idol worship) for the sake of the spiritual welfare of others (Romans 14; 1 Corinthians 8) is in reference to the beleiver's relationship with fellow believers who were "weak" or new Christains. While the context refers to the way believers ought to exercise love and sensitivity to one another, I think it is fair to say that the principle certainly "spills-over" to having a sensitivity and love in reaching our lost friends for Jesus.
Listen to the Lord, and don't eat if you have doubt. (Romans 14:22-23)
Pastor J. Jay WilliamsonLiving Hope Church
www.livinghopetoledo.org --- livinghopechurch@livinghopetoledo.org
posted by Pastor Jay Williamson | 12:56 PM
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