WHY DID GOD GIVE THE ANCIENT ISRAELITES DIETARY LAWS? Well, the practical side included the fact that they had no refrigerators, so God knew safe storage of shell fish might not work well in the desert—it would lead to many more last suppers. The dietary laws in Leviticus were also one of God's ways to make Israel an example for other nations to follow, a light unto the rest of the world, making them purposely stand out from other populations. Israel's actions at God's prompting sent messages to the Gentiles about how to fix common problems, helping other people groups become aware so they would hopefully also come to God for the solutions. Besides all that, the dietary laws were given to point out that God is clean and we are unclean.