EGW WritingsDeuteronomy 14

Manuscript Release No. 852

The Development of Adventist Thinking on Clean and Unclean Meats by Ron Graybill

MR852 1.1

The dietary distinction between clean and unclean meats, based on Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, is generally understood and accepted among Adventists today. Unlike the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament, which pointed to Christ, or the civil laws, which governed the theocracy, these health laws were based on natural law and thus not merely applicable to one age and time. Thus even among Adventists who eat meat, these unclean meats are avoided. Nineteenth-century Adventists, however, did not generally accept this distinction between clean and unclean meats based on levitical law, even though they clearly condemned pork.

MR852 1.4

D. M. Canright, in 1866, does allude to Deuteronomy 14:8, “And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcass.” But Canright makes no mention of other unclean meats, and makes no use of the further material in Deuteronomy 14 on the subject. When he does mention oysters, in an article in the following year, he mentions their alleged powers to excite “certain kinds of feelings,” and introduces no biblical argument.

MR852 1.5

In 1870, W. C. Gage undertakes to refute a rival Advent periodical which took exception to the “scriptural assertion, that the swine is unclean.” But Gage does not cite either Deuteronomy 14 or Leviticus 11. In fact, Gage remarks, “If the scriptures fail to settle the question, let reason have her sway. Examine the animal, and see its filthy habits.” He does discuss some of the Bible’s testimony on pork, but his article is far from being a contribution to a broad understanding of the Bible’s teaching on clean and unclean meats, being, as it is, heavy with naturalistic arguments and exclusively interested in the pork question.

MR852 1.6

James White, in an 1872 article, on “Swine’s Flesh,” does show the beginnings of a wider application of levitical law. He does mention Deuteronomy 14:8 again, and he.does seek to refute the arguments that the prohibition on swine was a merely Jewish one, and therefore not binding on christians. He reminds his readers that the distinction between clean and unclean was recognized in the Bible long before the “existence of a single Jew.” Still, the whole thrust of his argument is to discredit the pig, not to establish general categories of clean and unclean meats. He does not discuss the biblical criteria for the distinction at all.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Lt 184, 1906

21LtMs, Lt 184, 1906, par. 4

I cannot at this time write all that I desire. But you are to realize your great responsibility to teach your children the way of the Lord. Study the directions given in the book of Deuteronomy and in the New Testament. The Lord will bless you in your efforts to heed His directions. We owe all to God, and let us praise His holy name.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Ms 131, 1907

22LtMs, Ms 131, 1907, par. 21

Turn to the book of Deuteronomy. In the fourth chapter we read: “Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers giveth you.” [Verse 1.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 23 (1908)

Lt 204, 1908

23LtMs, Lt 204, 1908, par. 3

The book of Deuteronomy is a most interesting book. We should rehearse more often the history of events that it contains. We do not dwell enough on these wonderful experiences. Moses was instructed to repeat over and over to Israel the history of their experiences—their failures and their victories.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 25 (1910 - 1915)

Lt 40, 1910

25LtMs, Lt 40, 1910, par. 1

Last Sabbath I spoke to the people in the San Diego church. I felt deeply in regard to the words in Deuteronomy, which I took for my text.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 121, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 121, 1899, par. 21

Let those who believe the word of the Lord read the instruction contained in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. There they will learn what kind of an education was to leave its impress on the families of the nation of Israel. God’s chosen people were to stand forth distinct and holy, separate from the nations who knew not God. But they were given directions to treat the stranger kindly. He was not to be looked down on because he was not of Israel. The Israelites were to love the strangers, because Christ died as verily to save them as He did to save Israel. The Lord God of Israel would receive them if they chose the society of those who knew and acknowledged Him. In this way they would learn of Jehovah, and glorify Him as they beheld His works in behalf of His chosen people.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Lt 221, 1899

14LtMs, Lt 221, 1899, par. 2

I have things to send to you in writing that I deem very important, and I think it will be prepared in a form so that many may be benefited by it. I should oft be so pleased to have talks with you upon matters that are intensely interesting to me, that I am trying to write out, in reference to the specifications in Scriptural injunctions in regard to the duties one to another in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. We must just call to our minds those [precepts on] actual, practical missionary work, and work intelligently, and do the very principles of Christianity, the gospel of the Old Testament.

14LtMs, Lt 221, 1899, par. 5

I cannot write out all that is contained in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. But I think our people in this enlightened age of 1899, if they would go back to the period they call the “Dark Ages” and bring into their practical life the lessons that Christ gave to the Hebrews, they would act out the obedience God required of them. Their hearts would not be so full of selfish principles that when His brethren working in hard fields should ask a favor, that they would close the door of their heart and say, No.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 36, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 36, 1900, par. 9

The truth of God must be presented from His Word. It is a work of sacred importance to impress upon parents the need of teaching their children to obey the commandments of God, as directed by Christ before He assumed the garb of humanity. Read the Old Testament Scriptures, especially Deuteronomy, on this subject. God told Moses to say to the children of Israel.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Lt 105, 1903

18LtMs, Lt 105, 1903, par. 3

I feel deeply over our present situation. We must now do a work that should have been done long ago. We must do as the Lord directed Moses to do, when the children of Israel, having crossed the desert, were encamped on the borders of Jordan. Moses was bidden to rehearse to them all the dealings of the Lord to them during their journeyings through the wilderness. The record of this rehearsal is found in the book of Deuteronomy.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 9, 1903

18LtMs, Ms 9, 1903, par. 1

The book of Deuteronomy should be carefully studied by those living on the earth today. It contains a record of the instruction given to Moses to give to the children of Israel. In it the law is repeated. At the time that the instruction that it contains was given, the people of Israel were encamped beside the Jordan. All but two of the adults who had left Egypt had died in the wilderness. Now the generation that had arisen during the forty years of journeying were about to pass over the Jordan to receive their inheritance in the promised land. But they must first hear from the lips of Moses the instruction given him by the Lord for them. The words of the law must be repeated to them, and they must hear again the conditions upon which they were to enter into and take possession of the promised land.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 11, 1903

18LtMs, Ms 11, 1903, par. 6

We do not make enough of Deuteronomy and Exodus. These books record the dealings of God with Israel. God took the Israelites from slavery and led them through the wilderness to the promised land. They had almost reached the end of their journey. Spies were sent over the Jordan to view the land and bring back a report.

Manuscript Releases, vol. 18 [Nos. 1301-1359]

MR No. 1312—Miscellaneous Writings on Christ’s Ministry, Health Reform, and the Christian Life

18MR 84.5

Christ lived not to please Himself, but to glorify His Father. And this was God’s purpose in delivering the Israelites. Moses declared: “For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth” [Deuteronomy 14:2]. If the Lord’s ways had always been kept by His ancient people, in the history of nations there would never have been a record of the destruction of Jerusalem.

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 46—“The Prophets of God Helping Them”

PK 568.2

Regarding the relation that Israel should sustain to surrounding peoples, the Lord had declared through Moses: “Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor show mercy unto them: neither shalt thou make marriages with them; ... for they will turn away thy son from following Me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.” “Thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.” Deuteronomy 7:2-4; 14:2.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1

Chapter 59—Power of Example

1T 282.6

Deuteronomy 14:2: “For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.”

Spiritual Gifts, vol. 4b

Power of Example

4bSG 73.4

Deuteronomy 14:2. “For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.”

The Review and Herald

June 25, 1861

RH June 25, 1861, par. 22

Deuteronomy 14:2: “For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.”

From Splendor to Shadow

Chapter 46—Bitter Opposition Fails

SS 292.4

Regarding the relation that Israel should sustain to surrounding peoples, the Lord had declared through Moses: “Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor show mercy unto them: ... for they will turn away thy son from following Me, that they may serve other gods.” “The Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself, above all the nations that are upon the face of the earth.” Deuteronomy 7:2-4; 14:2.

Testimony for the Church — No. 7

Power of Example

T07 40.3

Deuteronomy 14:2. “For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 60, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 60, 1902, par. 10

Christ lived not to please Himself, but to glorify His Father. And this was God’s purpose in delivering the Israelites. Moses declared: “For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.” [Deuteronomy 14:2.] If the Lord’s ways had always been kept by His ancient people, in the history of nations there would never have been a record of the destruction of Jerusalem.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 25 (1910 - 1915)

Lt 22, 1911

25LtMs, Lt 22, 1911, par. 11

I ask you who stand as leaders in this work to read prayerfully chapters four to eleven of the book of Deuteronomy; for there is instruction that all need who would understand God’s dealings with His people. And I wish to impress upon all who read these chapters that they mean much to every soul who carries responsibilities in connection with sanitarium work. “Thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God,” the Lord declares, “and the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself above all nations that are upon the earth.” [Deuteronomy 14:2.] All the directions He has given are to be carefully observed, from the greatest to that which may seem the least.

Counsels for the Church

The Swine is Unclean Unto You

CCh 229.8

The tissues of the swine swarm with parasites. Of the swine God said, “It is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcass.” Deuteronomy 14:8. This command was given because swine’s flesh is unfit for food. Swine are scavengers, and this is the only use they were intended to serve. Never, under any circumstances, was their flesh to be eaten by human beings. It is impossible for the flesh of any living creature to be wholesome when filth is its natural element and when it feeds upon every detestable thing.412The Ministry of Healing, 313, 314

The Ministry of Healing

Reasons for Discarding Flesh Foods

MH 313.3

The tissues of the swine swarm with parasites. Of the swine God said, “It is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcass.” Deuteronomy 14:8. This command was given because swine’s flesh is unfit for food. Swine are scavengers, and this is the only use they were intended to serve. Never, under any circumstances, was their flesh to be eaten by human beings. It is impossible for the flesh of any living creature to be wholesome when filth is its natural element and when it feeds upon every detestable thing.

Patriarchs and Prophets

Chapter 51—God’s Care for the Poor

PP 530.1

To promote the assembling of the people for religious service, as well as to provide for the poor, a second tithe of all the increase was required. Concerning the first tithe, the Lord had declared, “I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel.” Numbers 18:21. But in regard to the second He commanded, “Thou shalt eat before the Lord thy God, in the place which He shall choose to place His name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always.” Deuteronomy 14:23, 29; 16:11-14. This tithe, or its equivalent in money, they were for two years to bring to the place where the sanctuary was established. After presenting a thank offering to God, and a specified portion to the priest, the offerers were to use the remainder for a religious feast, in which the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow should participate. Thus provision was made for the thank offerings and feasts at the yearly festivals, and the people were drawn to the society of the priests and Levites, that they might receive instruction and encouragement in the service of God.

Christ’s Object Lessons

Chapter 18—“Go Into the Highways and Hedges”

COL 220.2

Christ was here repeating the instruction He had given to Israel through Moses. At their sacred feasts the Lord had directed that “the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat, and be satisfied.” Deuteronomy 14:29. These gatherings were to be as object lessons to Israel. Being thus taught the joy of true hospitality, the people were throughout the year to care for the bereaved and the poor. And these feasts had a wider lesson. The spiritual blessings given to Israel were not for themselves alone. God had given the bread of life to them, that they might break it to the world.