Sometimes it takes for our health to take a downturn before we quickly begin to question our eating habits and diet. Yet the solution is simple if you look at it from a biblical perspective.
The Bible says in Proverbs 3: 1-2 not forget God’s teaching, but keep His commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. God has made it clear, that we are “not to forget his teaching. According to the bible God shaped us, molded us, and formed us from the dust of the earth. God knew us even before we were formed in our mother’s womb, Jeremiah 1:5., and according to Luke 12:7, even the hairs on our head are numbered.
Who better to tell us what food we need to incorporate into our diets that will lead to a long and healthy life, but God? Among other things, the purpose of the Bible is to reveal who God is, and his will for mankind. The Holy Scripture is the first text revealing the utility of plants for man, as natural sources of food, wood, fibers, oils, and medicinal herbs.
God’s Dietary Laws
From the bible we know that the people living during biblical times got their instructions from God as to what they were to eat, they were to follow God’s Dietary Laws”. Starting with the very first book of the Bible, God makes it clear the foods HE has provided for our consumption. Genesis 1:29 -2:16 – And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb producing seed that is on the whole earth, and every tree in which is the fruit of a tree producing seed: it shall be food for you.
The diet God gave people, in the beginning, was herbs, fruit, whole grains, and nuts.
Vegetables were added a little later in Genesis 3:18. Scientific research has revealed that leafy greens and green herbs are the most nutritionally dense foods known to man and the most healthful nutritional base for any diet.
Meat
Genesis 9:3 3Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. In the Book of Leviticus God is more specific about the type of animals we are to consume. Not all animals were considered clean to eat.
Leviticus 11: 1-8 (NIV) The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 2 “Say to the Israelites: ‘Of all the animals that live on land, these are the ones you may eat: 3 You may eat any animal that has a divided hoof and that chews the cud. 4 “‘There are some that only chew the cud or only have a divided hoof, but you must not eat them.
The camel, though it chews the cud, does not have a divided hoof; it is ceremonially unclean for you. 5 The hyrax, though it chews the cud, does not have a divided hoof; it is unclean for you. 6 The rabbit, though it chews the cud, does not have a divided hoof; it is unclean for you. 7 And the pig, though it has a divided hoof, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. 8 You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.
Birds / Fowls
Chicken and turkey birds are common foods eaten in most households, if not all. The bible does not specifically mention chicken or turkey. In Genesis 9:3 the bible tells us, that everything that lives and moves about will be food for us. The Bible also points out which birds or fowl we are not to eat.
“And these you shall detest among the birds; they shall not be eaten; they are detestable: the eagle, the bearded vulture, the black vulture, the kite, the falcon of any kind, every raven of any kind, the ostrich, the nighthawk, the seagull, the hawk of any kind. Leviticus 11:13-16 All other birds and fowl were considered clean to eat.
Seafood
Leviticus 11:9 “‘Of all the creatures living in the water of the seas and the streams you may eat any that have fins and scales. In the book of Deuteronomy. 14:10 10 And whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat; it is unclean unto you.
Warning About Fat and Blood
God warns us about the fat and blood of meat in Leviticus 7:23 (NIV)” Say to the Israelites: ‘Do not eat any of the fat of cattle, sheep or goats. The saturated fat found in meat has also been associated with significantly raised risks of colon cancer.
God says In Leviticus 3:17(NIV) This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any blood.” Modern health research findings agree on the dangers of eating meat fat and blood.