The golden rule and the law

Its not odd.

God works in COVENANTS.

The aliens were not in the mosaic covenant. Therefore it was permissable for them to eat non-kosher meats.

Noah was given permission to eat everything, and that covenant is still in effect. The mosaic covenant is no longer in effect.

Here it seems the jews are encouraged to engage in sharp practice.

Deut 14:21. Do not eat anything you find already dead. You may give it to an alien living in any of your towns, and they may eat it, or you may sell it to a foreigner. But you are a people holy to the LORD your God.

This injunction from the law seems to be in breach of the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Certainly God expected the Jews to behave differently from the other nations, but the intention was to be an example. To act in a superior way and thus draw the aliens in. Here it seems the jews are encouraged to engage in sharp practice.

Does this strike anyone else here as odd?

Not sharp practice. Just plain prudence and common sense. A creature that had just died freshly would be perfectly good food, but it was forbidden to Israel. So rather than throw it away, it would be practical to give it to a non-Israelite. There was nothing evil or nefarious in this. It would be similar to leaving the gleanings in a field for the poor. The rest of that verse regarding the kid shows that God demanded compassion from Israelites.

Well let’s look at what God has instructed Israel concerning meat to be eaten that is not offered to God through the priests during worship and sacrifice.

Deuteronomy 12: 20 “When the LORD your God extends your border as He has promised you, and you say, ‘I will eat meat,’ because you desire to eat meat, then you may eat meat, whatever you desire. 21If the place which the LORD your God chooses to put His name is too far from you, then you may slaughter of your herd and flock which the LORD has given you, as I have commanded you; and you may eat within your gates whatever you desire. 22Just as a gazelle or a deer is eaten, so you will eat it; the unclean and the clean alike may eat of it. 23Only be sure not to eat the blood, for the blood is the life, and you shall not eat the life with the flesh. 24You shall not eat it; you shall pour it out on the ground like water.
The parts in bold shows that for even the everyday slaughtering and eating of meat requires a specific practice. If it’s not followed Isreal shall not eat it. God’s purpose is to keep His people distinct. It’s not about contempt or disrespect for non Jews. If that were the case God could say to destroy the carcass. No God in his compassion for His creation allowed the animal to be given or sold .
Nothing odd here it’s only odd when we whip out the microscope and neglect to look at the big picture.
Blessings
Bill

I did wonder if it was also about God’s provision.

In that God provided for them so there was no need to go
scavenging for dead meat. Maybe it was to show they were
different in that way too.

By contrast when they were under seige they ate anything and
everything. The provision of food or the lack of it would have been
a powerful sign of God’s blessing ie flowing with milk and honey and
God’s judgement ie famine. In times of famine they would most certainly
have eaten dead anything.



Lamentations 4:8-10 NKJV
[8] Now their appearance is blacker than soot; They go unrecognized
in the streets; Their skin clings to their bones, It has become as dry
as wood. [9] Those slain by the sword are better off Than those who
die of hunger; For these pine away, Stricken for lack of the fruits
of the field. [10] The hands of the compassionate women Have
cooked their own children; They became food for them In the
destruction of the daughter of my people.