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Deuteronomy 14:6 "Every animal that parts the hoof and has the hoof cloven in two, and chews the cud, among the animals, you may eat."

 

Remember, though, that about 1500 years later, Peter will have a vision instructing him that all the animals of the earth may be eaten (Acts 10:9-16). Because the law about what animals can and cannot be eaten comes from God, we know that there is some reason that, in the years after the Exodus, there were limits on what animals the Jews could eat and some reason why that changed later. I do not pretend to know or understand what these reasons are, but I do know that God is not capricious, that He only gives us rules for our own good, and there is wisdom and reason behind everything He does. 

 

One thing I've always thought with regard to the swine, which God specifically says is unclean for the Jews (Deuteronomy 14:8), is that cooking temperatures were not well regulated at that time, especially in treks through the desert, so there was the possibility of trichinosis with pork that was not fully cooked. Perhaps this was the reason, or part of the reason, why swine was prohibited to the Israelites. 

 

Whatever the reason, I find it so interesting and comforting that God cares for us so much to get this specific. Even when I do not understand His rules, I know I can trust them. As a natural rule follower, I like to have guardrails from someone I trust. I know God does not give us rules for any other reason but love, and His love is more than enough for me.