God Gave Food To Nourish the Body.
Most people would agree that food is designed to nourish and energize the body. Yet, in the last post in this series, we noted that many people have abandoned the practice of eating for nourishment. Instead, the fork goes to the mouth primarily for pleasure.
Pleasure eating can cause much harm to the body if it is left unchecked. Yes, God has designed food to taste good! But we must not allow taste (or pleasure) to control our diet. When considering what to eat, we should choose nourishment first and pleasure second.
We’ve already discussed the dangers of
Today we will share 14 Bible verses that demonstrate that food is designed to nourish and energize our bodies. Let this be an encouragement to consider your food choices each day. Are you eating for pleasure and convenience? Or are you seeking to use food for the purpose which it was designed?
1. Genesis 2:9: “Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food.”
After God created man, He gave them all the plants bearing seeds as food. Then He created a special garden for Adam and Eve to live. Read more about the garden here. In this garden, God planted all kinds of beautiful trees that were pleasing to the sight. But there was more. They were “good for food.” The word “good” is towb in the Hebrew and denotes that it was the best of the best. God supplied the best food for Adam and Eve, the most precious and nourishing food — for their good.
2. Genesis 45:11: “There I will also provide for you, for there are still five years of famine to come, and you and your household and all that you have would be impoverished.”‘
The word provide in this verse is kuwl in the Hebrew and is translated “nourish” in the King James. It can mean to sustain, support, or nourish. In this verse God is promising the Israelites that He will sustain their physical health through the food that He would provide during the famine which would last another 5 years.
3. Genesis 47:12: “And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father’s household, with bread, according to their families.”
Here the promise to nourish through the famine is fulfilled through Joseph and the food he has been stock-piling in Egypt.
4. Genesis 50:21: “Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.”
Joseph spoke these words to comfort his brothers after their father Isaac had died. Joseph intended to continue to make sure that his brothers and their families had the food necessary to become strong in the land.
5. Acts 20:20: “It was at this time that Moses was born; and he was lovely in the sight of God, and he was nurtured three months in his father’s home.”
The word “nurtured” in the Greek here is anatrepho, which is translated “nourished up” in the King James. According to the Outline of Biblical Usage, when this word refers to young children or infants, it means “nourished to promote growth.”
6. Genesis 25:30: “And Esau said to Jacob, ‘Please let me have a swallow of that red stuff there, for I am famished.’”
Here Esau is tired and weak and in need of some sustenance to revive. Unfortunately, he put his appetite above his desire to honor God and it cost him his birthright and the family legacy. But the food did give him the energy he needed to regain his strength.
7. I Samuel 28:22: “So now also, please listen to the voice of your maidservant, and let me set a piece of bread before you that you may eat and have strength when you go on your way.”
The witch of Endor offered food to Saul when he was out of strength due to lack of food after conjuring up Samuel from the grave.
8. I Kings 19:8: “So he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God.”
Elijah fled into the wilderness for fear of his life due to the wicked Jezebel. He prayed to God that he might die and fell asleep under a juniper tree. Twice an angel woke him from his sleep and fed him hot bread and refreshing water. After the second serving, the angel sent Elijah on his way to mount Horeb. Elijah went in the strength of that food for forty days.
9. I Samuel 14:27-29: “But Jonathan had not heard when his father put the people under oath; therefore, he put out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened. Then one of the people said, ‘Your father strictly put the people under oath, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food today.’” And the people were weary. Then Jonathan said, ‘My father has troubled the land. See now, how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey.'”
Food doesn’t just give life, it refreshes the weary. Here a bite of honey brightened the eyes of Jonathan. All the people were weary after a day of battle, but Saul had forbidden them to nourish themselves in a time of need.
10. Psalm 104: 14-15: “He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the labor of man, So that he may bring forth food from the earth, And wine which makes man’s heart glad, So that he may make his face glisten with oil, And food which sustains man’s heart.”
Here vegetation, or plant food, is given in service to man. Matthew Poole says that this refers to both pleasure and nourishing sustenance. Wine is given to make man’s heart glad, oil to make his face glisten, and food to sustain man’s heart.
11. Acts 9:19: “And he took food and was strengthened. Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus.”
After Saul (later Paul) was blinded on his Damascus road experience with Christ, Ananias prays that he may regain his sight. Afterwards he is in need of strengthening, and eats some food for energy.
12. Acts 27:34: “Therefore I encourage you to take some food, for this is for your preservation, for not a hair from the head of any of you will perish.”
Here Paul and the ship crew had been without food for two weeks due to a great storm. Paul encourages the shipmates that it is necessary for them to take food so they can have the strength needed to handle the upcoming shipwreck. Paul promises that no-one will die. But yet he urges them to take natural provisions to be strengthened.
13. I Timothy 6:8: “If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.”
The word “food” here in the Greek is diatrophē. According to Strong’s, it is a compound word meaning nourishment — i.e. food. So, it is not food alone that should cause us to be content, but rather nourishment, or “good food.”
14. Matthew 10:9-10: “Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support.”
When Jesus sent the disciples out to the house of Israel to proclaim that the kingdom of God was at hand, He instructed them to take no provisions along because the worker was worthy of his support. In the NASB, there is a footnote that explains that the word support literally means nourishment. It is from the Greek trophe, which Strong’s defines as “nourishment (literally or figuratively); by implication, rations (wages):—food, meat.” It is translated “food” in the New Testament 13 times, and “meals” and “enough” 1 time each. Here is a list of those 15 verses for your continued study:
- Matthew 3:4
- Matthew 6:25
- Matthew 24:45
- Luke 12:23
- John 4:8
- Acts 2:46
- Acts 9:19
- Acts 14:17
- Acts 27:33
- Acts 27:34
- Acts 27:36
- Acts 27:38
- Hebrews 5:12
- Hebrews 5:14
- James 2:15
Conclusion.
We simply need to remember that food is not just for pleasure. God has given food for nourishment for the body. Food strengthens us, gives us energy, and gives us what we need to face the challenges of the day.
Let us look for the “good food” that God has created. It is this food that will give us our best chance at the abundant life that Christ promises for each of His children.
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Next: Conclusion: Eat Only What You Is Necessary
Return to: Biblical Health Study
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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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