Food is the very substance that God chose to nourish the human race — and food plays a very important part in life, the world, and history. It is in the very first chapter of the Bible that God creates food — even before He creates man. And the Bible closes its final chapter in Revelation with the tree of life which bears twelve kinds of fruit with leaves that heal the nations. Also in this last chapter we see the water of life offered to all who are thirsty.
God uses food, a physical nourishment, as a picture of the life-giving spiritual nourishment we have in Christ. And a metaphor means nothing if it is not grounded in a reality. That reality is that we need food to survive in the physical world God created and called good.
The Bible talks extensively about food. It is not a subject to which the Bible is silent, nor is it an afterthought. In God’s kindness, He created food as a wonderful provision for His creatures that bore His image (as well as for the animals). The following ten posts are an introduction to the topic of food in the Bible. They demonstrate food’s importance in history, life, and the world.
- Food brought death to an entire race of people, sealing their fate for eternity (apart from Christ). Read more: The Bite of Food that Sealed the Fate of Mankind.
- A special food that grew on the Tree of Life promised eternal life to those who ate. Did the fruit contain a divine anti-oxidant? Or did it offer everlasting life in a different way? Find out: The Food that Could Have Saved the Human Race.
- Esau valued a bowl of pottage above an eternal legacy and the family blessing. His rejection of the promises of God set two nations at war with each other for centuries. Learn more: The Stew that Set Two Nations at War.
- God sanctified the entire nation of Israel through dietary laws concerning food. Read more: The Food that Sanctified an Entire Nation.
- In the Old and New Testaments, at least 9 miracles occurred around the subject of food. These miracles demonstrate God’s concern for the basic provisions of His creatures. Read about it here: Nine Miracles in the Bible About Food.
- 3 Jewish Refugees refused to eat from Nebuchadnezzar’s table. See why the young boys risked their lives for a bowl of vegetables: The King’s Food Rejected by Jewish Refugees.
- God could have used anything as a symbol of the New Covenant, but He chose food. Find out more: Food: A Sign and Seal of the Covenant.
- Many people don’t realize that eating this common Christian food can bring judgment from God. Learn about the warnings associated with Communion: The Food that Brings Judgment from the Almighty.
- Food is important historically, culturally, familially, and relationally (especially in relation to God). Learn how: Food Fosters Fellowship and Community.
- Food can cause the weakest to stumble, both believer and non-believer. Find out how to eat for the glory of God: Food a Stumbling Block for Believer and Unbeliever.
What we eat can be a great benefit or it can bring harm to ourselves and others in various ways. It is the primary source of health and strength that God has provided for us. And He does care about what we eat — and how we eat. And as we will learn over the next few months, food (or so called food) can poison us, in most cases very slowly without our being aware that it is doing so.
So, as can be seen, from scripture, food plays a very important role in all of our lives. This topic cannot be neglected in our studies of the the Bible — because the Bible talks extensively about it. And from a health standpoint, food is increasingly becoming even more important as we shall see in upcoming posts.
In our Biblical Health Study, we have already shared 4 of the 7 biblical ways to bring health to our body. We have talked about cleanliness principles, fasting, rest, and environment. The next 3 points will be devoted to the topic of food. The series 10 Ways Food Impacts History, Life, and the World in the Bible is only an introduction.
Next: Living Under God’s Design: Principle #5: Eat Only What Is Necessary
Return to: Biblical Health Study
Disclaimer:
Reformed Health exists so you can take control of your own health and be all that God has designed you to be. The information shared on Reformed Health is the sole opinion of the author and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. None or our claims have been evaluated by the FDA or any other government organization. We are not medical doctors, nor do we have any medical doctors on staff. If you are having a health emergency, please call 911, contact your doctor, or visit a local emergency room. Always consult your doctor before engaging in any new exercise regime.
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Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.
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© 2017 Mischelle Sandowich
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