Leviticus 11: Unclean Vs. Modern Healthcare

"Anything one of their carcasses falls on will become unclean.  If it is an oven or stove, it must be smashed; it is unclean and will remain unclean for you."

Leviticus 11:35

I guess they didn't have Lysol back then.  No Formula 409 either.  Not even good old Clorox Bleach.

How did the Israelites keep their kitchens from becoming mad-houses for deadly germs?  First: they didn't cook foods that were commonly associated with specific diseases.  If they had today's food market, the Lord would have said, "Don't eat eggs or chicken because you might get salmonella; don't eat beef because you might get mad cow disease."

Second, they destroyed anything that came into contact with the dead flesh of these unclean animals.  If we didn't have household cleaners available to us, we'd probably do the same thing!  When we accidentally spill some raw chicken juices on a plate or counter, we immediately wipe it up with a specially formulated chemical that instantly kills 99.9% of all known bacteria, viruses, and fungi.  If we spill it on something we don't necessarily need to keep, we just throw it away.

I think that this whole section of Levitical Law concerning cleanliness is another point that shows the difference between wisdom at the time and current wisdom.  As medical technology improves, as food preparation techniques become more sanitary, and as household cleaners become cheaper and less toxic to humans and pets, we have radically less need for choosing "clean" foods.

Question of the Day:

Can you imagine how your life would be different if sanitation wasn't so simple and cheap?  Can you see how your outlook on food might change if major illnesses associated with certain foods were non-treatable and potentially fatal?

Prayer of the Day:

Lord, be with all those who still live in poverty situations, both here locally and abroad.  Help provide sanitation and cleanliness so that these people may live longer, healthier, fuller, more meaningful lives.  Thank You for providing me and my family with health and wellbeing.  Help us share these gifts with all of Your people in need.  Amen.