What's For Dinner - Part 7 of 7

THE CALL TO GREATER COMPLIANCE

“For what does the Holy One, Blessed be He, care whether a man kills an animal by the throat or by the nape of its neck. Hence its purpose is to refine man.” (Gen.R. 44:1, Lev.R. 13:3)

 

Having argued that Gentile believers are not under the full weight of the dietary commandments, it is important to appreciate that there are great blessings from understanding and participating in these commandments. If a person can learn to control what he eats, that person can learn to muster control against all forms of physical temptation such as greed, lust, and anger. In reference to the dietary laws, Maimonides noted,

 

“These ordinances seek to train us in the mastery of our appetites. They accustom us to restrain both the growth of desire and disposition to consider the pleasure of eating as the end of man’s existence,” (Guide, 3:48).

 

Most “Christians” have a tendency to discard commandments in the law without attempting to understand the greater principles that are being taught. The commandments of God are not arbitrary and capricious, as the lawyer might argue, but are always given with the purpose of teaching a deeper truth. The goal of kashrut is holiness in the individual and the nation. Kashrut demands sacrifice, self-discipline, determination, and the courage to turn our face against the powerful current of conformity that daily strives to overcome us. It was the inability to resist the temptation of food that resulted in both the first sinful act in the Garden and the decision of Esau to sell his birthright.

 

Speaking from a personal perspective, I feel a greater calling toward obedience to the commandments of the law, but also acknowledge that I am a Gentile who has not been placed under the same obligation as the Jew to all the commandments. However, the ability to understand the commandments grows through observance. Observance both enables the believer to “walk in the same manner as He (Jesus) walked” (1 John 2:6), and moves the world closer toward a future time when “the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem,” (Isa 2:3).

 

The transition to greater observance does not take place overnight and consequnetly, there will always be believers in different phases of understanding at any given time. I think this was probably the norm in the early Gentile church.  Those who are farther along in their transformation should not look down on those who are just beginning, nor should beginners be discouraged by their inability to fulfill all the commandments. If I am compelled to celebrate a special day to the LORD, other believers should not be offended by my action nor should I look down with contempt on those who do not chose to adhere as I do.

 

“Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day — 17 things which are a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.” (Col 2:16-17)

THE END - Scott