LEVITICUS 11:7-8 “And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.”

ABSTRACT

Diet plays a vital role in our spiritual health, where practices across faiths reflect principles of obedience, discipline, and well-being, and a perspective on flesh foods, especially pork, reveals God’s wisdom in guiding us step by step, as we explore how dietary reforms unfolded as a test of fellowship and examine their implications for personal and communal growth.

GOD’S WORD AS SUSTENANCE

In Deuteronomy 8:3, we read, “And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not… that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.” This verse reminds us that God’s provision extends beyond physical sustenance to spiritual guidance. Just as manna was given in the wilderness, God gradually revealed truths about diet to strengthen our faith. Ellen G. White affirmed this in Testimonies for the Church (1:206-207, 1868), stating that dietary reforms, including the avoidance of swine’s flesh, were not imposed prematurely but revealed as we were ready to receive them. God gave our first parents the food He designed that the race should eat, as a prophetic voice reminds us in Counsels on Diet and Foods (p. 373, 1938). In Genesis 1:29, Scripture declares, “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.” Eating swine’s flesh merely to show His authority, but because it is not a proper article of food for man, the inspired pen explains in Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene (p. 48, 1890). In 1 Corinthians 10:31, we find, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” This gradual approach ensured that obedience was a product of understanding, not coercion, fostering deeper reliance on divine wisdom. How does this progressive revelation shape our daily choices toward wholeness?

THE TRANSITION: FROM ADVISORY TO PROHIBITION

The shift from an advisory stance to a firm prohibition on swine’s flesh exemplifies God’s perfect timing. Initially, we were advised to prioritize nourishing foods, but abstaining from pork was not mandatory (Testimonies for the Church, 1:206, 1868). By 1905, however, health insights clarified the need for stricter dietary rules. Sr. White wrote, “The tissues of the swine swarm with parasites” (Ministry of Healing, pp. 313-314, 1905), highlighting the physical and spiritual risks of consuming unclean meats. A reform in habits of eating and drinking is needed, but this reform cannot be made all at once, through inspired counsel we learn in Counsels on Diet and Foods (p. 284, 1938). Swine’s flesh above all other flesh meats produces a bad state of the blood, a passage from Counsels on Diet and Foods warns (p. 392, 1938). In Leviticus 11:7-8, God commands, “And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.” Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh, Proverbs 23:20-21 cautions, “For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.” This evolution teaches us patience and trust in God’s unfolding plans. Like a sculptor shaping stone, God refines us one step at a time, molding us into vessels of health and holiness. What patient steps might God be calling us to take next in our journey?

BALANCING PRINCIPLES WITH COMPASSION

While the prohibition of pork became a test of faith, Sr. White emphasized balance. She cautioned, “We are not to make the use of flesh food a test of fellowship” (Testimonies for the Church, 9:159-160, 1909). This reflects the need to uphold principles without alienating individuals who face unique challenges. Consider a rural member of the community with limited access to diverse foods. Imposing stringent dietary rules could create unnecessary hardship, potentially driving them away from the faith. Pork, although one of the most common articles of diet, is one of the most injurious, in The Ministry of Healing we read (p. 320, 1905). God did not prohibit the Hebrews from eating swine’s flesh merely to show his arbitrary power, or to make things difficult for his people, a thematic insight reveals in Counsels on Diet and Foods (p. 373, 1938). Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink, Daniel 1:12 proposes. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? Isaiah 55:2 urges, “and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.” This balance reminds us that the gospel must be both principled and compassionate, meeting people where they are while leading them toward greater understanding. How can we extend such grace within our community today?

LESSONS FOR THE CHURCH AND SOCIETY

The statement, “the time has not yet come” (Testimonies for the Church, 9:163, 1909), serves as a metaphor for progressive reform in society. Just as dietary guidance was introduced gradually, many societal changes—such as environmental sustainability and ethical consumption—require time and education. As a community, we must ask: Are we patient with those who struggle to adopt reforms? Do we demonstrate God’s grace as they grow? As Sr. White urged, we must preach a practical gospel that uplifts, not burdens, those we serve. We should be very cautious not to advance too fast, lest we be obliged to retrace our steps, role-based guidance advises in Counsels on Diet and Foods (p. 219, 1938). In reform we would better come up gradually, if possible, a prophetic voice once wrote in the same volume (p. 219, 1938). For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, Romans 14:17 affirms. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5:18 exhorts. These lessons invite us to cultivate patience in our collective walk. What societal reforms might echo this divine rhythm in our time?

PERSONAL AND COMMUNAL APPLICATION

Personally, I find this lesson humbling. I recall moments when I resisted change, clinging to habits that no longer served my spiritual health. Yet God, in His patience, guided me gently, revealing truths I could bear in each season of my life. As a community, we are called to move forward together. We must embrace reforms not out of fear but out of love for God and each other. This means encouraging one another, recognizing that we are all on a journey of growth. Excessive indulgence in eating, drinking, sleeping, or seeing, is sin, literary counsel from Counsels on Diet and Foods notes (p. 153, 1938). The harmonious healthy action of all the powers of body and mind results in happiness. Let us never bear testimony against health reform by failing to use wholesome, palatable food in place of the harmful articles of diet that we have discarded, through inspired counsel we are told in Counsels on Diet and Foods (p. 258, 1938). What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 asks, “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth, 3 John 1:2 desires. These applications ground us in transformative living. How might we apply these truths in our personal routines?

A CALL TO UNITY

The story of dietary reform reminds us that God’s will unfolds in perfect time. As Sr. White wrote, “The light given will be sufficient for the hour” (Testimonies for the Church, 9:163, 1909). Just as Israel depended on manna in the wilderness, we must depend on God’s word, trusting that His guidance is sufficient for every step. In our churches and communities, let us champion healthful living with patience and compassion, ensuring that reforms unite rather than divide. May we remember that God’s ultimate goal is not rigid compliance but transformed hearts, ready to reflect His love in all we do. Health is a great treasure, a passage from Healthful Living reminds us (p. 9, 1897). It is the richest possession that mortals can have. Wealth, honor, or learning is dearly purchased, if it be at the loss of the vigor of health. Those who understand the needs of both body and soul will not be guilty of any violation of health principles, in Counsels on Health we read (p. 575, 1923). And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you, Deuteronomy 14:8 declares: “ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.” Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil, Proverbs 3:7-8 promises, “It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” This journey of reform invites us to reflect on embracing God’s guidance today. Are we extending grace to others as they grow?

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SELF-REFLECTION

How can I, in my personal devotional life, delve deeper into these prophetic truths, allowing them to shape my character and priorities?

How can we adapt these complex themes to be understandable and relevant to diverse audiences, from seasoned church members to new seekers or those from different faith traditions, without compromising theological accuracy?

What are the most common misconceptions about these topics in my community, and how can I gently but effectively correct them using Scripture and the writings of Sr. White?

In what practical ways can our local congregations and individual members become more vibrant beacons of truth and hope, living out the reality of Christ’s soon return and God’s ultimate victory over evil?