Herbert W Armstrong

   Here is a question often asked by those beginning to be converted: "Should farmers raise and sell hogs?"

   The Bible plainly teaches that we are to OBEY God — to obey His commandments (Matt. 19:16-18; I John 3:4). Not only are we to obey the commandments, but Christ said that we are to live by EVERY WORD that proceedeth out or the mouth or God (Matt. 4:4).

   The laws given in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 regarding what foods are good for us have in no way been changed or abolished. The nature of the animals mentioned here have not changed "since the cross."

   These laws concerning clean and unclean meats are to be obeyed by every true Christian. Swine are expressly forbidden to be eaten (Lev. 11:7). God's people are not to eat pork. But what about selling hogs to the unconverted who don't know better?

   The Bible nowhere directly says that it is a sin to smoke. So there is also no direct scripture in the Bible which says, "Thou shalt not raise and sell hogs." BUT — there are, however, principles which reveal to us God's will. These Bible principles tell us it is wrong to smoke. Bible principles also reveal why we should not raise hogs for the market.

   Notice the principles given by Jesus Christ: "... Thou shalt LOVE thy neighbor as thyself" (Matt. 22:39). Knowing that God did not create swine to be eaten — and knowing that pork is harmful to the body — we cannot show love to our neighbor by selling him an animal which is detrimental to his good health? Is it love to be responsible for sickness and sometimes death? Of course they don't know better! But WE DO! Just as ancient Israel was to be a good example of clean living to the Gentile nations, so should God's spiritual Israel today — God's Church — be an example to the unconverted.

   Jesus Christ is certainly a shining example as to how we ought to live. He lived a PERFECT life! Christ did not do one thing which was wrong. Yet, Christ permitted demons to enter a herd of swine, causing them to run violently down a steep place into a lake where they were drowned (Luke 8:32-34). Notice, Christ had a reason for this action!

   The swine were UNCLEAN animals. Christ permitted UNCLEAN spirits (demons) to enter UNCLEAN animals. Christ did not permit unclean spirits to enter and defile CLEAN animals. Christ allowed the demons to enter the swine because the swine were unfit for human consumption and ought not to have been sold as "good food" in the market. Jesus was indirectly solving the marketing problem of those Gadarene farmers!

   The teaching of the Word of God is clear.

   Unclean animals were created for a purpose, but NOT FOR FOOD! A farmer should not raise for food hogs, rabbits, or any other unclean animals.