The children of Israel, as the chosen people of God, are to be set apart from the rest of the world, even with regard to their daily activities which include their diet. This will help them to remember that they are the covenantal people of God. As described in Leviticus chapter 11, God gave them dietary laws which govern what are clean to eat and what are unclean to avoid eating. Through this the children of God learn to understand how they are to make a difference and to distinguish themselves from the rest of the world.

1. The authority for making a difference (Lev 11:1-2): Leviticus 11:1 tells us that “the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron” and began to give His commands to them. This established God to be the absolute, supreme authority behind the laws given. As such, Israel must know God, so that they can then submit to Him and obey His commandments. They cannot challenge God or choose what they wish to obey or disobey according to their preferences. And they are to submit and obey His commands in their entirety at all times.

2. The principle for making a difference (Lev 11:3-43): Leviticus 11:3-43 describes clearly what the clean and unclean things are. The children of Israel are to know and then to observe accordingly. Refraining from the unclean things will set the children of Israel apart from the people of the world. As the custom then was to seal a deal over a meal, the dietary laws will prevent the children of Israel from having a meal with the people of the world. This will prevent the children of Israel from associating with the idolatrous world. It is also to teach the children of Israel to be sensitive to the concept of uncleanness/sin, and not to be careless because uncleanness/sin will defile the person.

Note: The laws given are not for hygiene reason because the laws are not instituted in the New Testament. In fact, in Acts 10:9-16, when a voice told Peter to eat, Peter refused to eat the unclean animals. Then the voice told him, “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common” (Acts 10:15).

3. The purpose for making a difference (Lev 11:44-47): As God is holy, the children of Israel must also be holy (Lev 11:44). The world will judge the actions of God’s children, which will reflect on God. Hence, God’s children must be a holy witness, and not tarnish God’s name. Also, the Lord had delivered His children from bondage (Lev 11:45), thus they are to be holy, just as He is holy. They must not go back to sin, but they are to be holy to make a difference.

As Christians, we too can learn and apply these lessons to our daily lives. We are to make a difference by knowing the Authority behind the laws, by not associating with, and conforming to, the world, and by being a holy witness for God.