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“You shall not let your cattle breed with a different kind. You shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed, nor shall you wear a garment of cloth made of two kinds of material.”  Leviticus 19:19

The Bible is filled with strange words, at least to us. Case in point, Leviticus 19:19 in which God’s people were instructed against: (1) interbreeding animals (No mules for you!), (2) intermixing seed in fields, and (3) of course the strangest of all, no blended fabrics (sorry poly-cottons!). Strange indeed.

We struggle to make sense of these commands. We struggle to apply these commands to our lives. Most discouraging of all, these passages can become fodder for “gotcha” critics of the Bible. “Your Bible which denounces homosexuality also prohibits all athletic clothing, but you don’t have a problem with gym shorts!”

If you’re in a predicament, consider these principles for your good in reading Scripture with a mind set on honoring its Author.

#1 — Don’t cherry pick the parts you like.

If you are confused or concerned about Leviticus 19:19 and feel it's unhelpful to you today, take a moment. Read Leviticus 19:9–18. Does passage fit your moral sensibilities? The oddity that is v. 19 follows what might just be the most other-worldly, timeless statement in all of Scripture. “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). For all the confusion v. 19 brings, v. 18 grounds our morality in God Himself. Your neighbor is worthy of the love you have for yourself! Find a culture who would not overwhelmingly benefit by such a command; there is none. From the jungle hut to the Skyscraper, the command to love your neighbor as yourself will improve the world (at least temporarily).

Here’s the point. If a weird passage is set alongside a timeless passage that I love, should I be so quick to assume that the weird passage is truly weird or misguided or the product of an ancient, ignorant people? Slow down. Don’t pull out the parts you like and disregard the ones you don’t. 

#2 — All Scripture, even fulfilled Scripture, still has meaning for the Modern Christian.

Leviticus 19:19 still is living and active and sharper than a double-sided blade. It really is. Though the command may be fulfilled by Christ, it still tells us something about God. For example, God’s otherness might be seen in these laws. We can also see God’s order and design in these laws. Most cross-bread animals (like Mules) cannot reproduce. Since God values life, it is reasonable that He would prohibit a kind of breeding that results in sterility. Regardless, even if there is not a direct application to our lives, we can learn about God and the world He made through all Scripture.

#3 — Apply the “Doctrine of Least Meanings” to the text.

Years ago I was helped so much by the concept of “least meanings” when studying the Bible. This principle is to fixate on what is at least understandable in a passage rather than throwing out a passage because we don’t understand the entire passage. Most of the Bible can be understood when you apply this doctrine to your study. For example, in v. 19, I think we can at least declare that God loves keeping the things in creation distinct from one another. With this concept in mind we can take quite a lot into our lives. For example the idea of distinct maleness and femaleness is supported by this understanding of creation. Or, at least we might conclude that God is reminding us that He is distinct from all creation, totally separate.

#4 — Remember, your understanding of God’s Word is not dependent to validate God’s Word.

Isn’t it helpful to keep in mind that with all Scripture, it was written to an audience who certainly understood what we see as obscure. Yes, time and culture can make our comprehension dim, but our dullness to some of its meaning does not make God’s Word illegitimate. Praise God for the countless theologians, scholars, linguists, and archeologists over the years who have endeavoured to help us understand the Bible. Yet, our minds are not promised to comprehend all the light we have received. By God’s grace we will grasp the clear essentials which reveal the Gospel to us. So, maybe we will be humble when presented with a difficult text, not presumptuous to place God in judgment.