The Eating of Fat
God commanded His children to “eat neither fat nor blood” which is found in the clean animals (sheep, cows, goats…etc.) as seen in the following references:
Leviticus 3:17: “This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any blood.”
Leviticus 7:22-25: The Lord said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites: ‘Do not eat any of the fat of cattle, sheep or goats. The fat of an animal found dead or torn by wild animals may be used for any other purpose, but you must not eat it. Anyone who eats the fat of an animal from which a food offering may be presented to the Lord must be cut off from their people.”
However, other fats (less harmful) which are found in the dairy products (butter) and plants (nuts, fruits such as avocados and oil such as olive oil) were allowed as seen in the following references:
Genesis 1:29: “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herbbearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.”
Exodus 29:2: “And unleavened bread, and cakes unleavened tempered with oil, and wafers unleavened anointed with oil: of wheaten flour shalt thou make them.”
Isaiah 7:22: “And it shall come to pass, for the abundance of milk that they shall give he shall eat butter: for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the land.”
Genesis 43:11: “And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:”
Why Is Animal Fat Forbidden?
God created mankind and in His wisdom prohibited the eating of animal fat to avoid different diseases. A diet high in saturated fat, such as the ones found in animals, leads to health impairment such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and others. Fat cells in the body are also where toxins are stored, such as heavy metals.
Dietary research by the American Heart Association and the World Heart Federation have shown that eating foods that contain saturated fats, such as those found in animals, raise the level of cholesterol in the blood. High levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends individuals to limit the intake of fats and shift their consumption away from saturated to unsaturated fats.
“Whether You Eat or Drink…Do All to the Glory of God“
The Bible teaches “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Food and drink are of major importance in relation to having good health. Many sicknesses that attack the body are due to bad diet. The Lord wants His children to care for their bodies and to keep them fit to be temples of His Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20).
The Israelites were assured that God would preserve them in good health if they would obey His instructions (Exodus 15:26; Deuteronomy 7:12–15; 28:58–61). This the Lord will do for His people today if they will follow His instructions and eat and drink only those things that are in harmony with His laws (Genesis 1:29; 3:18; Leviticus 11:2–31; Ecclesiastes 10:17; 1 Corinthians 10:6). Man’s ideal diet is the original one that was given by the Creator in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1:29).
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team
