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Dietary Laws

Text: Deuteronomy 12
20 February 2018

DIETARY LAWS

1. Affecting Israel only

a) Meat may be eaten
b) Food is a blessing from the Lord   (Deuteronomy 12:15)

2. What is expressly forbidden

a) Blood   (Deuteronomy 12:16)
b) The blood of the animals to be drained   (Deuteronomy 12:16)
c) That which has been tithed/vowed   (Deuteronomy 12:17)
d) Eating of the food offered
Permissible- but within the place of worship   (Deuteronomy 12:18)
i) Family
ii) Servants
e) The Levites are to be remembered   (Deuteronomy 12:19)

ANTICIPATION OF FURTHER BLESSINGS

1. Enlarging of borders   (Deuteronomy 12:20)

2. Dietary Laws continue to apply   (Deuteronomy 12:20)

IF THE DESIGNATED PLACE OF WORSHIP IS TOO FAR AWAY

1. They may eat meat in their own city gates   (Deuteronomy 12:21-22)

2. To be sure that blood is not consumed   (Deuteronomy 12:23)

DOING WHAT IS RIGHT IN GOD’S EYES

This is a key principle to bear in mind   (Deuteronomy 12:25, 28)

EXCEPTIONS

1. Holy things (sacrifices)

2. Vowed offerings   (Deuteronomy 12:26-27)

These cannot be eaten except in the prescribed place of worship

IDOLATRY

Deuteronomy 12:29-31

1. Be careful of being ensnared

2. Idols to be destroyed

3. They are not to be sought after

4. They must not be worshipped

5. Evil practices are attached

E.g. Offering of children to the idols

THE COMMANDMENTS GIVEN

1. To be observed

2. No addition

3. No subtraction   (Deuteronomy 12:32)