Unclean טָמֵא

We are moving into chapter eleven of Leviticus with our word for today. טָמֵא unclean, polluted, defile, profane, tainted with impurities according to regulations and requirements. It is used 88 times in the Old Testament. We find our word used in the context of what the priests were to teach the people. Leviticus 10:10-11 You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between הַטָּמֵ֖א the unclean and the clean, and you are to teach the people of Israel all the statutes that the Lord has spoken to them by Moses.” Much later in Ezekiel’s time we find God pointing out the failure of the priests to do this very thing. Ezekiel 22:26 Her priests have done violence to my law and have profaned my holy things. They have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they taught the difference between הַטָּמֵ֥א the unclean and the clean, and they have disregarded my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. Later in Ezekiel’s vision of the future we find this role that would be carried out. Ezekiel 44:23 They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to distinguish between the טָמֵ֥א unclean and the clean. This priestly duty is also the context of how our word is used in our chapter today. Leviticus 11:1-8 And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying to them, “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, These are the living things that you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth. Whatever parts the hoof and is cloven-footed and chews the cud, among the animals, you may eat. Nevertheless, among those that chew the cud or part the hoof, you shall not eat these: The camel, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is טָמֵ֥א unclean to you. And the rock badger, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is טָמֵ֥א unclean to you. And the hare, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is טְמֵאָ֥הunclean to you. And the pig, because it parts the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud, is טָמֵ֥אunclean to you. You shall not eat any of their flesh, and you shall not touch their carcasses; they are טְמֵאִ֥יםunclean to you. Jesus made it clear to His disciples that all foods were clean, and God taught this lesson again to Peter before He sent him to minister to the “unclean” Gentiles. Paul affirmed that special days and diets must not be considered either the means or the measure of a person’s spirituality. Since Noah knew about clean and unclean animals, this distinction was part of an ancient tradition that predated the Mosaic Law. Whether a creature was “clean” or “unclean” had nothing to do with the quality of the creature; it all depended on what God said about the animal. When He gave these laws, no doubt the Lord had the health of His people in mind, but the main purpose of the dietary code was to remind the Israelites that they belonged to God and were obligated to keep themselves separated from everything that would defile them. Leviticus 11:44 For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. Nevertheless, the spiritual principle of separation from defilement applies to the people of God today. The Holy Spirit makes this connection clear in the New Testament when he ties our chapter in Leviticus applying this principle of being different to the church. 1 Peter 1:13-16 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” The fact that we know God must make a difference in every aspect of our lives. I’ll close with these great reminders. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 10:31 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body … So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.