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Diet From the Bible Standpoint

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 6, 1910

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 87, No. 1.

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Diet From the Bible Standpoint

By A. W. Semmens

SINCE the Bible gives the origin of man, the fall, and the entrance of sin, it also gives the origin and foundation of the science of dietetics. While it does not furnish us with all the technique and data, it does supply us with the principles on which the true science of dietetics is to be built.
Man.—In Gen. 2:7 we have the statement in regard to the creation of man, “God formed man of the dust of the ground.” He made him in the image and likeness of God, and for the glory of God. Isaiah 43. Man was the masterpiece of God, the cope-stone of creation. The science of chemistry acquaints us with the fact that matter is composed of some sixty elements, and of these sixty fifteen are found in the composition of man, and they are actually essential to maintain the harmonious action of the body. Since this is true, it at once becomes apparent to us that he who created man in his own image and likeness, must make provision in some way to supply the necessary elements to maintain the life and energy and activity of the human body, which is “fearfully and wonderfully made.”
Diet.—This requirement is met in the origin of the first bill of fare. “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat,” or food. Gen. 1:29. Here is seen the first bill of fare, given man in his pure, holy, and sinless state. This was God’s original plan for man, that he should subsist on fruits, grains, and nuts.
We must grant to him—the divine Architect of man—the right to know what diet is best adapted to the needs of the body. In order to know what are the best foods, we must study God’s original plan for man’s diet. Man, being created for the glory of God, in order that he may maintain that high and holy privilege, must ever keep it in mind. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” This ambrosial diet given to man contained every essential element to build and maintain the body and mind in a perfect condition.
Apostasy.—Had man ever kept his mind in harmony with the mind of God, and not doubted his Creator, we should not now be discussing the diet question. But alas, our first parents’ faith was not made perfect. The first apostasy came on the point of appetite. Gen. 3:6. Reason takes the place of faith in what God said. Appetite from that moment became the guide, in place of principle and right.
That failure on the part of our first parents opened the flood-gates of evil that has ruined its votaries by millions, and to-day there is no other subject that touches individuals so keenly as the subject of diet.
Original Plan.—In the Creator’s original plan there was to be no death in Eden. The diet given was a bloodless one, the pure products of the earth. “He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth.” Ps. 104:14. And Job says, “As for the earth, out of it cometh bread.” Job 28:5. Primarily all physical energy comes from the vegetable kingdom; this energy has been absorbed from the sun, and stored in the plants for the use of man.
After the fall of man, the departure from the original plan began to take place; but there were many in the days of the apostasy who stood true to the divine principles, and did not depart from the truth of God. Among these were Enoch, Methuselah, and Noah. Gen. 5:22. Soon after the fall, man began to take the life of animals for food. He became cruel and bloodthirsty, and regarded human life with astonishing indifference.
Change.—No permission to change his diet had been given man by God. It took nearly two thousand years of transgression before it was visibly felt by the human family. Man gave such loose rein to appetite that his imagination became corrupt and evil continually; and that apostasy—which was the result of the violation of moral and physical laws, and diet had a very large place in producing this condition—ended in the extermination of all the human family except eight persons.
From the wreck of the old world was to spring forth the new, Noah and his family being the beginning of the generations of the future. God’s instruction to him was, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.” Then follows the permission in regard to diet: “Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you: even as the green herb have I given you all things.” Gen. 9:1-5.
A warning also was given against the eating of blood. The penalty came with the permission to eat flesh; namely, the shortening of life. The average age before the flood was nine generations, nine hundred twelve years. Nine generations after the flood, it was three hundred thirty-two years. Gen. 5:11. In the days of the psalmist it had been reduced to threescore years and ten. (Psalm 90); and the generation of the present time is thirty-five to thirty-seven years, which is only one-twenty-sixth of the length of the antediluvian age.
As you trace the history of the race for another four hundred years, it is seen to have been one of apostasy from the truth of God; but God’s eternal purpose for the race was not to be laid aside, nor was this permission to add flesh to the diet to be perpetuated. Passing over much of the history that is familiar to you, we come to the time of another reform for the deliverance of the people of God.
Call Out of Egypt.—The people of God were in Egypt, groaning under their terrible affliction. A deliverer was sent in the person of Moses, and the call to come out was made. They finally came out, and God was anxious that they should go into a land flowing with milk and honey; but their condition was such that they were not prepared to enter the promised land. They needed a preparation.
Where then did God begin? He began with the “entering wedge,” the “right arm of the message,” health reform, diet, and the law of God.
What a time he had in training that people for Canaan! To them it was like parting with the dearest thing on earth to part with the flesh-pots of Egypt. Exodus 16. Yet God was feeding them with manna from heaven. The divine Leader knew what was best for them.
Our bodies are made up of what we eat, and the purest food, all other things being equal, makes the purest blood. God in this simple diet was seeking to purify their blood and make them a holy, happy people. How much faith did they have in these heaven-born principles?
Did these principles emanate from the science of that day?—No; they originated in the mind of God, and were revealed to man.
In order to help man in the selection of his diet, God gave him a code of laws regulating the clean and the unclean foods. Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14; Lev. 7:23-27. Instruction was also given in regard to blood and fat.
Israel encamped around Mount Sinai for about two years, receiving instruction and preparing for their entrance into Canaan, which was only about eleven days’ journey. Num. 10:11, 12; Deut. 1:2. They started on their journey. When three days out, trouble began. What was the matter?—“And the mixed multitude fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely: the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic; but now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.” Num. 11:4-6.
“And the people spake against God and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.”
Were these people ready to enter Canaan? It took them forty years, and then only two of the original stock were able to get in.
They “lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, . . . he gave them their request,” “their own desire;” “but sent leanness into their soul.” Ps. 106:14, 15; 78:29-31.
From the divine record we can plainly see that God was endeavoring to lead man back to the original diet.
Babylon Reformed.—We pass to another landmark on the diet question in the Bible; namely, the experience of Daniel and his companions in Babylon. These Hebrew boys had learned from the divine record in regard to what was right in the matter of diet. Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king’s meat or drink his wine. Though their refusal to do this might cost them their lives, they made request for a simple diet. Pure water to drink and pulse to eat were granted, and in this was demonstrated in the then greatest kingdom of the world, and before the highest and mightiest monarch, the principles of right living and the blessings to be received by following the divine plan in diet. It was proved that God’s way is the only true way.
O that all who profess to be Seventh-day Adventists were as true to principle in the matter of diet as were Daniel and his companions! Truly they would be a spectacle to the world and to angels.
Apostasy and Reform.—We pass to another landmark, John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ at his first advent. He was the voice to cry in that time when apostasy had again developed. He was as the right arm to the message. He preached a complete gospel, and laid the ax to the root of the tree. He was an example of simple living in every respect. Matt. 3:4. His diet was of the most simple kind.
The Reformation of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries under John Wesley and others brought the diet question before the people.
We now come to our own time, the beginning of this generation, 1844-63. The reform message again brings to our mind the question of diet and the leading of the people of God back to God’s original plan. We are instructed “that the food which God gave Adam in his sinless state is the best for man’s use as he seeks to regain that sinless state.”
Why is all this written?—That “we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.” And these things “are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1 Cor. 10:6, 11. God says, “Eat ye that which is good.” Isa. 55:2.
I have shown from the Bible what the Lord himself considers good. All the ways of the Lord are right. To follow his counsel will lead in the way of eternal life.
The one great object in the matter of diet is not simply physical perfection, but to secure the highest degree of physical, mental, and spiritual perfection, and finally to be fitted for the last touch, immortality.
Original Plan Complete.—When the Creator’s great plan is fully complete, man will be restored to the Edenic state. Then “the lion shall eat straw like the ox;” the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick. The perfect bloom of health will be seen. God’s eternal purpose will be complete.
A. W. SEMMENS, Manager Sydney Sanitarium, Wahroonga, Australia.