Richard Inegbedion

Before I begin, I would like to remind you that animals were not intended for human consumption after the creation of the world. They were intended only to be used as burnt offerings to God. This is the reason, when Adam was first created, he was given the task of learning how to plant and sow what he would eventually eat. Adam and Eve ate more fruit than animals to stay healthy. 

15 The Lord God put the man in the Garden of Eden. He put him there to farm the land and take care of it.

Genesis 2:15

Even Cain and Abel were shepherds and farmers when they were growing up. Cain was responsible for cultivating the crops for consumption, while Abel was accountable for tending to the flocks, which were meant to be a sacrifice to the creator.

2 Later, she gave birth to his brother Abel. Abel took care of the sheep. Cain farmed the land. 3 After some time, Cain gathered some things he had grown. He brought them as an offering to the Lord. 4 And Abel also brought an offering. He brought the fattest parts of some animals from his flock. They were the first animals born to their mothers. The Lord was pleased with Abel and his offering.

Genesis 4:2-4

This explains why people in the biblical era lived longer before the flood because they did not eat excessive red meat. It is widely acknowledged that an excessive intake of red meat may have a detrimental impact on the human body.

Research shows that eating too much red meat can make you more likely to get diabetes, heart disease, strokes, and certain cancers, especially colorectal cancer.   

After the flood, since the earth was devastated and therefore unsuitable for humans to begin planting and cultivating, the consumption of red meat became the norm. This was the moment when God granted human’s permission to begin eating certain varieties of red meat.

The only exception was that humans were prohibited from eating animals with fresh blood still in them, since the life in the blood made them pure.

3 Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. I have already given you the green plants for food. Now I am giving you everything. 4. But you must not eat meat that still has blood in it.

Genesis 9:3-4

This directive from our creator established the standards for how humans would eat animals in the future. Nevertheless, this directive did not imply that all animals should be consumed, as certain animals were deemed unclean. This was the way in which the food law was implemented, particularly among the Hebrew children.

The food laws are divided into four groups: land animals, sea creatures, birds, and creeping things. The Bible provides us with guidelines on determining which of these categories of animals are safe for human consumption.

Unclean Land Animals

Although the majority of animals are listed as food for humans, the Bible does provide us with details regarding those that are unclean.

 2 Speak to the Israelites. Tell them, Many animals live on land. Here are the only ones you can eat. 3 You can eat any animal that has hooves that are separated completely in two. But it must also chew the cud.

4 Some animals only chew the cud. Some only have hooves that are separated in two. You must not eat those animals. Camels chew the cud. But their hooves are not separated in two. So they are unclean for you. 5 Rock badgers chew the cud. However, their hooves are not separated in two. So they are “unclean” for you. 6 Rabbits chew the cud. Although, their hooves are not separated in two. Therefore, they are “unclean” for you. 7 Pigs have hooves that are separated completely in two. Yet, they do not chew the cud. Therefore, they are “unclean” for you. 8 You must not eat the meat of those animals. You must not even touch their dead bodies. They are “unclean” for you.

Leviticus 11:2-8

The book of Leviticus provides us with in-depth information about various land animals, such as swine, which are specifically mentioned as being unclean.

There are other Bible verses where God condemns the consumption of swine. In the book of Isaiah, a similar statement was made regarding the consumption of swine.

2 All day long, I have held out my hands to welcome a stubborn nation. They lead sinful lives. They go where their evil thoughts take them. 3 They are always making me angry. They do it right in front of me. They offer sacrifices in the gardens of other gods. Likewise, they burn incense on altars that are made of bricks. 4 They sit among their graves. They spend their nights talking to the spirits of the dead. They eat the meat of pigs. Their cooking pots hold soup that has ‘unclean’ meat in it.

Isaiah 65:2-4

The Hebrews became so used to eating pork that God condemned this act. For this reason, they began to provoke him into anger. 

17 “Some people set themselves apart and make themselves pure. They do it, so they can go into the gardens to worship other gods. They follow what the worship leader tells them to do. They are among those who eat the meat of pigs and rats. They also eat other ‘unclean’ things. Those people and the one they follow will come to a horrible end,” announces the Lord.

Isaiah 66:17

From the scriptures above, we can see that there were animals that were unclean on the land that our creator didn’t want us to eat. If his anger was directed towards the Hebrews for engaging in such an act, then that is how serious a sin it is.

Unclean Sea Creatures

The book of Leviticus also provides guidance on the classification of unclean sea creatures that are not intended for human consumption.

9 Many creatures live in the water of the oceans and streams. You can eat all those that have fins and scales. 10 Treat as “unclean” all the creatures in the oceans or streams that do not have fins and scales. That includes all those that move together in groups and all those that do not. 11 Treat them as “unclean.” Do not eat their meat. Treat their dead bodies as “unclean.”

Leviticus 11:9-12

We can learn from this passage that the only sea creatures humans are allowed to eat are fish with fins and scales.  Sea creatures, such as crabs, lobsters, squid, shrimp, or catfish, are deemed unclean and therefore unsuitable for human consumption.

Unclean Birds

The book of Leviticus also gives us a look at the category of birds that are unclean and unfit for human consumption. 

13 Here are the birds you must treat as “unclean.” Do not eat them because they are “unclean.” The birds include eagles, vultures and black vultures. 14 They include red kites and all kinds of black kites. 15 They include all kinds of ravens. 16 They include horned owls, screech owls, gulls, and all kinds of hawks. 17 They include little owls, cormorants and great owls. 18 They include white owls, desert owls and ospreys. 19 They also include storks, hoopoes, bats, and all kinds of herons.

Leviticus 11:13-19

According to this scripture, almost all birds are not suitable for consumption. Some examples of unclean birds are birds of prey such as eagles, hawks, kites, falcons, and owls, as well as scavengers like vultures. Birds such as the ostrich, stork, heron, and bats are also considered to be unclean.

Unclean Animals that creep and crawl the earth

The same book of Leviticus also contains information regarding unclean animals that creep around the earth.

29 Many animals move along the ground. Here are the ones that are “unclean” for you. They include weasels, rats, and all kinds of large lizards. 30 They also include geckos, monitor lizards, wall lizards, skinks, and chameleons.

Leviticus 11:29-30

Other than animals, certain species of insects were also considered unclean for human consumption.

20 Treat as “unclean” every flying insect that walks on all fours. 21 But you can eat some flying insects that walk on all fours. Their legs have joints, so they can hop on the ground. 22 Here are the insects you can eat. You can eat all kinds of locusts, katydids, crickets, and grasshoppers. 23 Treat as “unclean” every other creature with wings and four legs.

Leviticus 11:20-23

The book of Leviticus gives us a clear explanation of what animals are clean and unclean. Let us examine the most controversial question surrounding the Old Testament: were the laws of the Old Testament abolished?

Are the laws of the Old Testament still relevant today?

I have encountered Christians who believe the Old Testament laws are no longer relevant and serve as their justification for consuming unclean animals. Some even argue that the Old Testament laws are no longer applicable because the death of the Messiahs served as an end to them. It is, however, hypocritical that these same Christians do not have a problem following other Old Testament laws, such as the act of sexual immorality and homosexuality.

If the Bible says that eating shrimp is wrong, how can we say that eating it is okay while also saying that homosexuality is wrong? The laws are as clear as they appear to be. When the Bible states that something is unclean, it implies that it is unclean. This means it goes against what God wants us to do.  

The consumption of unclean animals is considered an abomination because it goes against the will of our Creator. The same principle applies to homosexuality, which is considered an act of transgression against our Creator. Furthermore, there is no place in the Bible in which Yeshua claimed to have abolished the laws put in place by God in the Old Testament.

Did the Messiah come to abolish the Old Testament Law?

Many Christians have incorrectly interpreted whether Yeshua came to abolish the Old Testament commandments. The book of Matthew gives a clear answer to this question.

17 Do not think I have come to get rid of what is written in the Law or in the Prophets. I have not come to do this. Instead, I have come to fulfil what is written. 18 What I’m about to tell you is true. Heaven and earth will disappear before the smallest letter disappears from the Law. Not even the smallest mark of a pen will disappear from the Law until everything is completed. 19 Do not ignore even one of the least important commands. And do not teach others to ignore them. If you do, you will be called the least important person in the kingdom of heaven. Instead, practice and teach these commands. Then you will be called important in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:17-19

The purpose of Yeshua’s presence on earth was not to abolish the Old Testament law, but rather to contribute to its fulfilment. He reminded us that to be successful in the kingdom of God, we must teach and obey all the commands of the law. Therefore, we can conclude that our Saviour did not abolish the Old Testament laws. 

Bible verses most Christians use to justify eating Unclean animals

1. Mark chapter 7:18-19

Many Christians use Mark chapter 7:18-19 to argue that the food laws have been abolished and no longer apply. 

18 “Are you so dull? ”he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? 19 For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.”(In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)

Mark 7:18-19 (NIV)

The main issue with the modern Bible, which has been in circulation for the past century, is that it has been edited and translated many times due to the various languages it has to pass through. This is why we may find contradictory information in different versions.

If you look at this particular verse in other versions of the Bible, you will notice a note in parentheses explaining why Yeshua said all foods were clean.

In the new King James version of the same verse, this is what appears:

18 So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding as well? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, 19 because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?”

Mark 7:18-19 (New King James Version)

Yeshua said two important things in this verse. Firstly, saying that all foods are clean does not mean that all animals are food. It is evident from this passage that Yeshua was redefining the meaning of food. 

The second thing we need to acknowledge is that the words enclosed in parentheses aren’t present in other versions; they’ve been added there by certain translators.

The entire context of this passage was intended to refer to eating bread with unclean hands. This context does not allow us to interpret his words in a way that would lead us to conclude that the consumption of unclean creatures is now allowed. 

2. Acts 10:9-16

Many Christians believe that Peter’s vision in the book of Acts was a sign from God that all animals were safe to consume. However, this is not entirely true.

9 About noon the following day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” 14 “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” 15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” 16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

Acts 10:9-16

The difficulty faced by a growing number of Christians is their inability to fully understand bible verses. According to Acts 10:9-16, Peter argued with God and stated that he had never eaten anything common or unclean. This passage also affirms that Peter had never eaten anything unclean, that was beyond his knowledge. 

Peter’s dream was not about an unclean animal, but rather about his association with a gentile named Cornelius.

In the past, the Jews perceived the majority of gentiles as unclean due to their lack of circumcision. They also prohibited non-Jewish people from sharing meals with them. These rules are based on their beliefs, not the Bible.  

If you read further in that chapter, you will notice that Peter explained his vision by stating that God had shown to him in his dream not to label anyone as common or unclean. This can be found in Act’s 10: 28-29.

The unclean food that Peter saw in his dream was a representation of Cornelius the gentile, whom God was trying to get to. This is the reason, when Peter reached Jerusalem, he came across a group of Jews who were dissatisfied that he had dined with a gentile named Cornelius.

1 The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him 3 and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”

Acts 11:1-3

When Peter explained his vision, everyone understood that God had also opened the door for the Gentiles to receive salvation. Peter’s vision revealed a flaw in the Jews’ man-made laws. 

Everyone understood that Peter’s vision was only about spreading the Good News, and not eating unclean animals. This passage of scripture can be found in the book of Acts 11:4-18.  

Conclusion

God has been incredibly kind to us, yet we continue to be careless and unappreciative, especially when it comes to following his laws. 

Back then, I used to be able to eat whatever I wanted without worrying about what God would think of my food. I even went so far as to eat all the food that the Bible says is unclean, and still prayed for it. What I didn’t realize was that I was asking God to bless things that were against his laws. 

Instead of designing us to eat grass, as most animals do, our creator gave us different healthy foods to eat. Fruits, vegetables, seafood, poultry, bread, and a lot more are some delicious foods that God has blessed us with.  As our maker, he is aware of what is best for our bodies. When we eat food that is clean before him, it is a sign of gratitude for all the good things he has given us.

Finally, I would caution you not to be misled by pastors or anyone else who claims the opposite. The laws in the Old Testament were not meant to be changed or abolished by anyone. As I always say, ignorance will not be an excuse on the day of the great judgement. You’re still alive today. You’ve got plenty of time to do the right thing.