Once we perceive the universal law of God’s kingdom is Torah (Mt 5:19) we begin to wrestle with how to apply it where most of us find ourselves, in non-Torah observant cultures. Looking for Torah commands given in this context can therefore be very insightful.
For example, God tells us not to eat an animal which dies naturally, on its own; we should offer it as a gift to the stranger living among us so he may eat it, or sell it to an alien, an outsider, for we are a holy people unto Jehovah our God. (De 14:21a) Exploring this carefully reveals much about God’s heart in our current circumstance. (Ps 119:18)
Firstly, note that livestock were very valuable in ancient Israel; an animal dying from the herd unexpectedly was a significant loss, comparable to $1000 today. For a typical family, giving up that kind of value required obediently trusting God. Yet wasting it entirely might well have been offensive to those new to Torah in the community, especially if they were struggling to make ends meet, as well as to those just passing through and ignorant of Torah altogether.
We now know animals which die naturally are not good to consume (it’s actually illegal in the West to sell meat from an unhealthy animal or one that is not properly slaughtered), but the science was unknown at the time; it was an act of faith that could easily have been misunderstood by those outside the covenant community. And God evidently does care about how things look to the outsider (Ex 32:12); He is careful to avoid needlessly offending the ignorant and the weak, or giving them any cause to resent His ways. (2Co 8:3)
In particular, those new to Torah, perhaps feeling a bit vulnerable and struggling to get established in the community, may easily have been offended at wasting such a resource, especially if they were in any need. If the animal was discovered promptly, it was likely still of at least mediocre quality, not dangerous to consume, and considered a real blessing to the poor. And those passing through the country, entirely unfamiliar with and/or disinterested in Torah, would likely jump at the chance to pick up a bargain, even if it wasn’t the highest quality.
The difference in the way the stranger and the alien are treated in the command is noteworthy; this may well be rooted, not in their Jew or Gentile-ness, but in their disposition toward and adoption of Torah, the civil law in Israel at the time. If they want the animal they may have it, either as a gift or at a reduced price, but are not actually encouraged by God to eat it, merely allowed to do so without legal consequence. It is as if God is providing a type of leniency in imposing this particular food law based on one’s interest in and proximity to Torah as a whole.
Consider the impact of such a transaction as it would likely have naturally unfolded. The Israelite, grounded in Torah community, testifies God forbids him the animal because he is holy unto God, so he must let it go if another wants it. The obvious implication is that the recipient is evidently not so holy to God, but this is of his own choosing: he is openly invited more deeply into holiness if he is interested. If he wants to partake of the animal, God won’t allow Israel to punish him for it, but if he has faith to pass on it in seeking a closer walk with God, so much the better. This wisdom avoids offense without encouraging sin.
God’s law is good for everyone and will eventually be imposed universally; until then most of us who are pursing Torah are doing so as a minority, apart from Torah-based community, struggling to understand how to apply it in complex circumstances. Imposing Torah on others outside of cultural norms, either directly or passively, is likely not the loving path.
God is evidently pleased to guide each of us uniquely in our journey as it pleases Him, without imposing everything upon us all at once. We are all at different stages in our understanding and face bewildering complexities at times; we must be patient with ourselves and others, finding balance, refusing to directly promote or encourage sin while patiently loving others through their non-compliance, praying God will work in them to seek Him as He wills.