Good evening!
I’ve been having some conversations with a friend lately, particularly about Christianity. My friend understands, and isn’t against not being a Christian, but trying to explain that the Bible was influenced by Christian translation is difficult to get a mind to comprehend. I told him how you& others in our group have translated the Bible as directly from the Hebrew language, and not influenced by anything, as possible (Going to Jesus.com – Bible Translations). And I explained how Christianity puts burdens on people and that I don’t believe or live by that… so he knows that part and understands, I think.
In particular, the question was why would the Bible be so hard and down to the point on something such as not mixing particular cloths together? And why would it even matter about clothing materials? (I know this doesn’t apply nowadays)
Deuteronomy 22
- You shall not wear material made of wool and linen together.
Leviticus 19
- You shall keep my statutes. You shall not cause two kinds of your beasts to mate; you shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed; nor shall clothing of two kinds of material be put on you.
I know the point of any conversation isn’t to tear the Bible apart. I just didn’t know the answer to the question… but said I would ask my pastor.
My friend was raised in the Hindu religion, but isn’t sure what to believe anymore.
Right now, his point is we all believe in an almighty being, just that the conduit to get there may be different depending on the religion.
The best I can do is tell him my testimonies and experiences in Jesus!
Julie A.
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Hi Julie.
Of course it makes no difference to God what materials are used in clothing or what seed is planted in the field. That has never meant anything to Him. But what has always mattered to Him is the condition of His people’s hearts, and He knows that the way we do things affects our hearts.
God very much wanted Israel to remain pure, untainted by heathen ways, so that His Son would come to a pure and holy nation when he came. And God knew that if Israel got into the mindset of blending one thing, it would lead to another. The cross-breeding of animals, for example, would have an influence on them and make intermarriage with Gentiles seem less offensive.
There are a number of commandments, such as the prohibition of pork meat, that in themselves, meant nothing to God. However, they must have meant something at the time to the nations around Israel, for Moses told them, “Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, as Jehovah my God commanded me, to do in the land which you are entering to possess. And you shall keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the eyes of the nations which hear all these statutes. And they will say, ‘Surely, this great nation is a wise and understanding people!’ (Dt 4:5–6).
I hope that helps.
Pastor John