God’s Instruction on What We Eat
God’s dietary laws that are listed in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 are not, as some think, merely prohibitory. God desires that man shall eat the best of everything, the “finest of the wheat” (Psalms 81:16; 147:14). The Creator knows firsthand what is best for the creatures He has made, and according to His knowledge He gives advice and recommendations. What God forbids is not unreasonable, but for the good of man. “No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Psalms 84:11).
God gave man a wonderful body with almost unlimited potentials (Psalm 139:14), and also many gentle parts that must be cautiously protected from abuse if they are to work properly. In the body itself, God has provided for the maintenance and renewal of its parts if His council is followed (Isaiah 40:29). When an injury happens to any part, the life powers of the body immediately go to work to heal the injury (Psalm 103:3). Medical professionals may help as they can, but they do not have healing powers.
The Bible tells us that man was made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26,27). And that he is precious in the eyes of God, and of more worth than “fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir” (Isaiah 13:12; 43:4). God Himself valued man greatly when He offered His innocent Son to die on his behalf to redeem him from eternal death (John 3:16).
God is concerned not in man alone but in many things of even less value than man. “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows“ (Luke 12:7). Certainly, man is of much more value than sparrows. And He added, “he who touches you touches the apple of His eye” (Zechariah 2:8).
The heavenly Father wants His children to have good lives. He said, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 1:2). And He promised that if we observe His health laws regarding what we eat and drink that are spelled out in His Word, that He will “preserve us alive” (Deuteronomy 6:24). And He promised, “I will take sickness away from the midst of you” and “I will fulfill the number of your days” (Exodus 23:25, 26).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
