Deuteronomy 14:10
“You shall not eat whatever doesn’t have fins and scales. It is unclean to you.”
What does Deuteronomy 14:10 mean?
In Old Testament times, these dietary rules helped set Israel apart as God's people and reinforced the idea that holiness touches every part of life, even meals. The logic behind selecting certain fish (those with fins and scales) wasn't about health or science, but about creating a visible, daily reminder of being called to something different. When you're choosing what to eat three times a day, you're constantly aware of your identity and commitment. For Christians today, this particular rule isn't binding since Jesus declared all foods clean (as Peter learned in Acts 10), but the principle still speaks to us: what we consume, what we surround ourselves with, and what we allow into our lives shapes who we become. The ancient Israelites couldn't mindlessly eat whatever was available, and we might still ask ourselves what habits or influences we're letting into our hearts without thinking.