law: unusual do nots
“Do not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.”(Deut 14:21) “Do not mate different kinds of animals.”"Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed.” “Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material.”(Lev 19.19).
These strange commands are puzzling. Most shirts today on the shelves in menswear section are of cotton and polyester mix. In organic farms planting the field with two kinds of seed for natural pest prevention is a given. As to cooking a young goat in its mother’s milk: exotic but cruel. However these Old Testament commands are commands to Israel of that time, but not commands to us, since they were not renewed in the New Covenant. Nevertheless, they are the word of God for us, for they do reveal God’s character and intention, in this case, his holiness, love and wisdom.
I found out that the “do nots” were designed for Israel’s good. It was to forbid them from getting involved in the Canaanite fertility cults and superstition. The Canaanites believed that symbolic actions can influence the gods, goddesses, and nature itself. The flock would be fertile and abundant if a goat kid is boiled in its mother’ milk. Mixing materials like seeds and fibres, and even animals is akin to “marrying” them so that there will be fertility and bounty in the herds and in the crops. God did not want his holy people practicing such superstitious magic and putting their faith in idols. He knew Israel’s welfare and blessing laid in trusting and obeying Him.
Today we put our trust in things other than God too: a fat bank account; the security of working in a stable company; a good education under our belt, all in themselves good things, but when they displace our trust in God and make us self-sufficient and proud, we will be disappointed and in danger. God wants us to look to Him and Him alone as the Source of our security and bounty.
Father, whose laws are always laws of love, thank you for showing me the “do nots” in your laws are to protect us your children from evil influences. You love us and want us to learn to depend and trust you completely, the way a little child trusts its father, because there is where the blessed life is. Help us to do that today. Amen.
3 comments May 14th, 2007
