14:1
We now get a review of the food laws, albeit somewhat briefer than in Leviticus. Though we start with another matter, namely “do not cut yourselves or shave the front of your heads for the dead”. Now this does illustrate some interesting points. The first is the reason these things were forbidden, which was because these were practices associated with various pagan religions of other peoples. This was the reason these particular practices are named here. The second point is that this should serve as a warning against an over rigid application of the rules given. Particular forbidden practices may no longer have the same relevance today. Now, cutting yourself does not seem a particularly bright idea in any circumstances, but forbidding certain hair styles is surely a cultural matter. At the same time there may be practices in our society that should not be followed, but are not explicitly named in the Bible. God expects us to think! As an aside, the reasoning I have just offered does not apply to sexual practices. The Biblical teaching on sex and sexuality is rooted in creation, and so is universally applicable.
14:2
The Israelites needed to realise who they were, they needed to realise what their true identity was. And the same applies to us. They were a people “holy to the Lord”. They were not meant to be like other nations, because they were God’s nation. They were God’s “treasured possession”. That is also who we are if we believe in Christ. It is foolish to want to be like the nations, for that is not who we are.
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