A couple weeks ago I shared that I wanted to learn what God says about what we should eat. I have found some really good scripture so far, and wanted to share!
My main questions that inspired this research are if Meat, dairy, and wheat/grain are supposed to be part of our diets. I have seen several documentaries recently speaking against each one with very convincing arguments. But at the same time I know I've read about the consumption of meats, milk, and bread within the Bible! Because I have a lot I want to reference I'll start with just meat today!
Let me start with this one: "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" 1 Corinthians 10:31
I think whatever your diet consists of, it should be for the glory of God. Doing what you think is best, and what makes you feel the best in order to fulfill the life God intended for you and your family!
In Genesis God says
"Behold I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; it shall be food for you" Genesis 1:29
"Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things." Genesis 9:3
And in Leviticus 11:1-30 He breaks down a VERY specific list of the animals that are Clean and OK to eat.
To me, this is very obvious that eating clean meat is ok for us, and obviously vegetables and fruit.
God also talks about not eating the fat, or blood of the animal:
"Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Ye shall eat no manner of fat, of ox, or of sheep, or of goat. And the fat of the beast the dieth of itself, and the fat of that which is torn with beasts, may be used in any other use: but ye shall in no wise eat of it." Leviticus 7:23-24
"But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat." Genesis 9:4
I have also heard a lot about "The Daniel Diet" Because Daniel refused to eat the King's meat and in Daniel 1:15 its says this: "And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the King's meat"
Daniel 1:8 " But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the King's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank"
I believe Daniel was not partaking in the King's meats because they were unclean. Eating only vegetables and water and fasting from meat and wine so he would not be taking part in rituals for false idols and Gods.
Now comes the argument that the laws from Leviticus regarding which animals are clean and unclean are probably not necessary anymore because it's from the old Testament and that we are no longer required to follow all the rules of the old testament. But I would argue against that. Afterall the Ten Commandments are from the Old Testament. We don't just write off the whole Old testament.
I think that God was showing us what is best for our health, for the physical human body that He created. I don't think that eating unclean meats is a spiritual sin, but that they just aren't best for our health.
And in the case of Daniel, I think it's a good thing to fast from meat in order to grow closer to God. Fasting is a whole other conversation though! (One in which I am definitely reading about)
There's so much more to read and reference, but I think this is the main portion of what the bible says on eating meat. As I find more I will definitely share!
Next week I'll share my thoughts and research on grains and wheat.
What are your thoughts on eating meat and what the bible says? I would love to hear it!
Jessi
I'm glad you brought this up! I am very curious what the Bible says about what we should eat. I have a friend that is doing a Bible study on this topic and she has changed her diet to completely vegan. I'll ask her to share with me what scriptures they are reading and let you know! Anyways, I started the youversion read the Bible in one year plan and so far I haven't read anything saying not to eat meat. I have only been reading it for about 2 months so I'll let you know if I come across anything interesting!
ReplyDeleteI like your thoughts from the Bible on what to eat. I believe the Bible to be the word of God. Our religion has a code of good health found in the Doctrine and Covenants 89: Here is the link if you are interested in reading it: http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/89?lang=eng/
ReplyDeleteHey Sis,
ReplyDeleteIt is my opinion that, in general, verses in the Old Testament dealing with diet and the issue of clean/unclean were written primarily to encourage obedience to God as a way to set apart the nation of Israel from the surround nations/people. It is easy to look back in hindsight and find things that may or not be beneficial to one's health, but it is just as easy to find verses that don't make a lick of sense...ie- "don't boil a kid (baby goat) in its mother's milk". The diet in Daniel was also a way for him to separate himself from the Babylonians (whose meat was sacrificed to idols). In the New Testament, it was determined by the Apostles that Gentiles coming to Christ had no need to follow the clean/unclean laws of the Old Testament.
Brandon
This was a nice article:) I really enjoyed it! ThankS!
ReplyDeleteI personally keep the dietary laws of Leviticus and have for 8 years now. After much study~I see that all animals were created with a purpose in mind. Some were created to keep the earth clean like pigs, rats etc.. they are like little compost-ers. Some are to be eaten/clean.(Their purpose didn't change after Yeshua's/Jesus' death and resurrection, did it?)
I believe with all my heart the words of Yeshua(Jesus) "IF" you love me you will keep my commandments. "IF" HE and the Father are ONE(of the same will) then HE is definitely speaking of all HIS Fathers commandments.(I have found more evidence to keep the commandments than any evidence that they are null and void)
Jhn 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.(Yeshua, taught from the Old Testament HIS Fathers Will, it has never changed)
I have learned in my studies that obedience is pleasing to the Father, so I obey because I LOVE HIM.
Can we keep all of the commandments today? NO. WHY? Because some of them need to be done in THE LAND(ISRAEL) and some need to be done in the TEMPLE(there is no TEMPLE).
But I guarantee that if you read through them all (not just the ten commandments), many are just common sense or moral things that we do anyway.
All of them were laid out to be INSTRUCTIONS from a Loving Father to His rebellious children.(THE LAW-in Hebrew is Torah and the word Torah means="Instructions for living". THE LAW~ was/is to show what sin is. For example= laying with your sister or mother IS SIN, therefore DON'T DO IT! Simple right!)
But scripture does say that we are the Temple. Would we defile HIS alter with unclean meats? NO, it would be an abomination!(Isa 66:17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one [tree] in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.)
Some will say one does not have anything to do with the other. All I know is that eating this way is not MY RELIGION, it is not because I have arrived, and are Holier than thou, it is simple because HE SAID SO, that I eat the way I do and it's not a burden at all :)
Shalom,Moira
Well I love all of the scriptures you shared. I have always had a love hate relationship with meat. Sometimes I just can not eat it and other time I crave it. I think being a Pastors wife I have to be flexible to be able to eat whatever is put before me. We go to other peoples home for dinner and they have gone out of their way to cook for us. I feel like making them feel great is more important than not eating meat. SO many times I have eaten things I would rather not, for the sake of relationships. I always ask when we have guest if they are meat eaters so there is no awkwardness at dinner. Great post, I can't wait to hear the next one. This post did not show up in my reader, did you change something on your blog, do I need to follow a different way?
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