Clean or Unclean? Part 1

    What do you consider to be clean?  When going somewhere, what do you avoid because you consider it unclean?  There are all these unspoken boundaries that we all have.  God understood that people are like that, so He declared created boundaries for sanitation, health, and hygiene.

    God went into what kind of animals we can eat.  Since He created them, He was able to give them distinguishing features to help us remember.  For example certain animals like camel, coney, rabit, or pig were considered unclean animals and should not be eaten.  There are several birds like an eagle, vulture, or owl along with flying insects and bats are a no go for food.  Before Jesus they were all considered unclean and to eat them made you unclean.  Now we should consider avoiding to eat them for the healthiest lifestyle.  However, if it is a moral reason, then that is okay too.

    Touching a dead carcass was unclean.  Now we understand the decomposition and if you dont wash your hands what can happen to a living person.  Germs spread easily and fairly quickly.  They did not have disinfectant soap and wipes everywhere like we do today.  If there did touch something dead, they had to isolate themselves for a few hours to be sure not to infect other people.  God provided perimeters for water, so that once unclean it would not be reused.

    A woman who gave birth or was on her menstrual cycle was considered unclean for a time.  Now we know that the body just need time to rest, so that it can heal.  However, back then she had to stay away from society until she performed a purification process.  

    We don't really have to understand the why there are so many clean and unclean rules.  We just need to believe that it is for our own good.  However, feel free to look into it.  It never hurts to educate yourself.

Leviticus 11 & 12