February 18

Purity and impurity are both very complex terms when it comes to the Bible and spiritual interpretations. As Douglas explains, purity and impurity as described in Leviticus take on very symbolic and metaphorical meanings. Purity overall is associated with order and goodness, whereas impurity is associated with disorder and unnatural functions. God requires the maintenance of purity because we are his creation and everything he created has a set purpose. It would be wrong for something intended to do one thing to be doing something displeasing to God, because God created everything for a certain purpose. The logic of the purity laws in Leviticus may be linked to death, as explained in the footnote. It is also probable that the purity laws relate to holiness. God restricts certain foods and methods of food preparation to regulate his authority and make sure the Israelites are following the path to holiness. It is in their best interest to obey first because God has given them no reason not to. It is important that God is very specific about food laws specifically because food is what we take in to nurture and care for our bodies. This is symbolic; God is telling us how to grow and care for ourselves by listening to his word. As Douglas points out, the way people treat their bodies is culturally important in every society. The fact that God tells us how to regulate ourselves shows that overall, he cares about our best interests and is trying to help us obtain salvation.