# 78 What to Eat

The Book of Genesis Day 78 Ge 7:2 "You shall take with you seven each of every clean animal, a male and his female; two each of animals that are unclean, a male and his female; 3 "also seven each of birds of the air, male and female, to keep the species alive on the face of all the earth. Let’s talk a little bit about dietary restrictions found in Scripture. Before the flood, man’s diet was supposed to be strictly vegetarian as we read in Ge 1:29, “And God said, "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.” After the flood, God lifted restrictions regarding meat as we read in Ge 9:3,4 "Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs. 4 "But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.” If Noah was going to order steak it would have to be “well done.” These dietary laws would be further expounded on and codified for God’s people in Leviticus chapter 11. They would stay in place until New Testament times when God lifted all the restrictions as we read in Ac 10:9-16, “ The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. 10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11 and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat." 14 But Peter said, "Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean." 15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed you must not call common." 16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.” In 1Ti 4:3,4, the Holy Spirit, speaking through the Apostle Paul gives us even more dietary instruction as he warns Timothy of those who apply man-made rules to our eating habits. “ and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving;” In short, eat, what you will, just be thankful to God for providing it. The mere act of thanking God for our food, sanctifies it, no matter what it may be! Just one word of caution here. Don’t use that freedom to eat a rare steak to be a stumbling block for those who struggle with what their conscience allows them to eat and not eat. This principle is beautifully spelled out for us in Romans 14, 1-3, “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.” And in v6, He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; (again sanctified by thanksgiving!)and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.” And in verses 13-17, “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way. 14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.” 16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” And in verses 20-18-21, “ For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. No need to walk on eggs in this regard. If your brother is offended by eating meat, you will know it, and when and if you know it, yield to it, lest it be a stumbling block. It is the loving thing to do, but remember no matter what you eat, eat it with a thankful heart. It what Jesus did before He broke bread and we should do it too! Pray: Father thank You for giving us our daily bread, let us always remember the words of the Psalmist who said in Ps 145:15,16 “The eyes of all look expectantly to You, And You give them their food in due season. 16 You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing.