Vivid Symbols

“All these ceremonial regulations, whether of food, of clothing, of agriculture, of sacrifices, were not ends in themselves, possessing intrinsic merit, but were vivid symbols of the fact that Israel was a holy nation, belonging to Jehovah, dedicated to holiness of life, to faith, and obedience, and called to exhibit the character of God here on earth” (John C. Wenger, Separated unto God, 17).

“How sad it was that the Jewish hierarchy, together with many of the people of Israel, looked upon their external separation from the Gentiles as ends in themselves and as guarantees of divine favor rather than as symbols of the spiritual relationship and condition which God requires of those who are His sons and daughters! (19)