When the law addresses dietary restrictions it begins with the positive. Leviticus 11:2 says “You May eat…” Then lists the permitted foods. When God gave Adam instructions concerning life in the Garden he began by saying “You may eat the fruit from any tree in the garden…” (Gen 2:16) Only after stating the positive does he proceed with the negative. “But there’s one tree….” To the, Israelites he begins with the positive as well. He says, “You may eat any land animal….” And then proceeds with restrictions. God wanted His children to enjoy life with a clear conscience.
Without boundaries man is left to his own devices to determine direction in life. Therefore, he is constantly reevaluating and questioning behavior. But with clear direction from God, man has a basis upon which to act with confidence and freedom.
But Jesus even freed us from the dietary restrictions of the law. He made it clear to His disciples that all foods were clean (Mark 7:1ff), and God taught this lesson again to Peter before He sent him to minister to the “unclean” Gentiles.