The Three Principles

I promised I would be writing another post regarding the three principles that I gleaned from the book I am currently reading about health according to the Scriptures. Here is the promised post.

In Genesis 7, the Bible first makes the distinction between "clean" and "unclean" animals. To prepare for the great flood, YHWH told Noah, "Take with you seven kind of every clean animal, a male and its mate, and two of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate." (vs 2)

The flesh of clean animals such as beef and fish that have scales and fins, is ideal for the health of humans - just as we would expect from the hand of a loving Creator. For one thing, meats contain proteins, iron, zinc, and vitamins B6 and B12. For another, clean animal flesh contains 3-omega fatty acids. These fatty acids are essential for life, and offer strong protection from vascular diseases. The design of these animals' digestive tracts is important also. For example, a cow's stomach contains four rumination pouches in which various kinds of bacteria compete for nutrients, crowding out viruses and parasites. They also destroy many toxins before they reach the flesh of the cow.

Principle 1 - Eat only substances that YHWH created for food!
Principle 2- As much as possible, eat foods as they were created - before they are
changed or converted into something humans think might be better.
Principle 3- Avoid food addictions! Don't let any food or drink become your god!


Principle #1
YHWH has specifically commanded that His people not eat certain things, such as the blood of an animal or the fat of an animal. After the flood, YHWH told Noah that the blood of even "clean" animals was forbidden. "You must not eat meat that has its life blood still in it (Gen 9:4; Lev 3:17; 7:26-27; 19:26; Deut 12:16-24; 1 Sam 14:32-34). Why did YHWH forbid eating blood? Scientists have long known that blood carries infections and toxins that circulate in an animals body. If people eat the animal blood, they are needlessly exposed to these infections and toxins. When YHWH commanded His people to abstain from blood, it was not just an arbitrary law; in effect YHWH was sparing His people from the plagues and lowered life expectantcy that came from eating contaminated blood.

"Do not eat any of the fat of cattle, sheep or goats." Lev 7:23
From medical research we now understand that fat is a tissue in which the body stores energy. Unfortunately, animal fat is also a storage place for toxins and parasites. These toxins are found in the fat of all the animals that we eat. Not all fats are bad. Isaiah 25:6 says, "In this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things". The best translation for the word "fat" here is liquid oils, including olive oil. In the Bible, olive oil and olive trees are important and a symbol of blessing (Deut 7:13; Judges 9:8-13).


Principle #2
Proverbs 14:12 says, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death."

In our consumptive and pleasure seeking culture, we often concoct additives, chemicals and processed foods that take us away from our Creator's excellent design for nutrition. Take the example of how we have tampered with one of our most basic foods - bread! Deut 32:12-14 lists various substances YHWH has given His people for food. One of thse items is "kidneys of wheat" (KJV), which are really the germ layers in a kernel of grain, shaped like a kidney. This germ layer is so rich with nutrients that, like many rich substances, it spoils quickly in ordinary circumstances. The baking industry has removed more than 20 vitamins and minerals from wheat in its attempt to increase the storage life of bread and prevent spoilage. The operation was a success, but it wasn't healthy. Because the germ layer in the wheat grain has been removed, bacteria and molds that would spoil the bread can't live on it - and neither can we!


Principle #3
The third principle is derived from the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before me". (Ex 20:3)

YHWH has given us good food to eat. Anything good, however, can be made bad by misuse or by allowing it to consume our attention - a place YHWH reserves for Himself. We can overdo and become addicted to foods YHWH gave for our use. In Deut 32:13-14, YHWH discusses several foods that He has provided for us. Then in verse 15 He charges, "Jeshurun grew fat and kicked; filled with food, he became heavy and sleek. He abandoned the G-d who made him and rejected the Rock his Savior". "Jeshurun" means "the upright one", and refers to YHWH's people. YHWH's own people had forsaken Him, substituting for Him and overabundance of food that made them sluggish from gluttony. They were "hooked on food". Both acute and chronic conditions can result from any kind of overconsumption. The primary message of both the Old Testament and the New Testaments is salvation; and salvation comes through the blood sacrifice of the Messiah, not through eating habits.

Nevertheless, a large portion of Scripture focuses on these commandments, ordinances and statutes that show us how to live on this carefully designed earth. Many of these passages pertain to subjects such as economics, law, government, interpersonal relationships, nutrition and health. The sacrifice of Yeshua for our sins does not cancel the wisdom in these other teachings.


In closing, I would like to share just a bit about the damaging health effects of eating unclean meats. Yeshua, as one who was "born under the law" (Gal 4:4) did not eat pork! One time he used pigs as a dumping ground for demons, evicting the demons and destroying the swine! (Matt 8:28-32) One reason for YHWH's rule of forbidding pork is that the digestive system of the pig is completely different from that of a cow. Pigs are gluttonous, never knowing when to stop eating. Their stomach acids become diluted because of the volume of food, allowing all kinds of vermin to pass through this protective barrier. Parasites, bacteria, viruses and toxins can pass into the pig's flesh because of overeating. These toxins and infectious agents can be passed on to humans when they eat the pigs flesh.

Were there any benefits to avoiding pork? In the "Biblical Archeological Review", Jan Cahill examined the toilets of a Jewish household in Jerusalem, finding no parasites or infectious agents, but only pollen from the many fruits, vegetables and herbs they had eaten. A similar study about Egyptians revealed eggs from Schistosoma, Trichinella, wire worm and tapeworms, all found in pork. All of these organisms cause significant chronic diseases.

Because the Isrealites lived near the Mediterranean and around other bodies of water, YHWH instructed them regarding many forms of sea life.

"These you may eat, of all that are in the waters. Everything in the waters that has fins and scales, whether in the seas or in the rivers, you may eat. But anything in the seas or the rivers that has not fins and scales, of the swarming creatures in the waters and of the living creatures that are in the waters, is detestable to you. You shall regard them as detestable; you shall not eat any of their flesh, and you shall detest their carcasses. Everything in the waters that has not fins and scales is detestable to you" (Lev 11:9-12).

It has long been recognized that the meat of shellfish - shrimp, crabs, lobsters, etc - is especially dangerous. Many illnesses, including instant paralysis, devastate some people every day as a result of eating shellfish. Shellfish can be placed in a body of water that is contaminated with Cholera bacteria, and they will purify the water! Shrimp, crabs, oysters, scallops and mussels are particularly efficient at this. They filter large volumes of water every day!. Sewage laden with chemicals, toxins and harmful bacteria, parasites and viruses become concentrated in those shellfish.

I could go on and on about the disgusting facts about pork and shellfish and even about some of the other "unclean" meats such as horse and rabbit (which are popular foods in some countries). The bottom line to me is that regardless of whether or not I know the reason why YHWH declared certain meats "clean" and "unclean", my responsibility is obedience. YHWH has set up these commands for our protection and for the health of our generation and that of future generations. I will be the first to tell you that I LOVED shellfish! And I did like bacon to! However, if I can't give up something that I "love" because my Creator told me, then I have an addiction. I should not love any food more than my Messiah! I will continue to read this book and I highly recommend it to anyone if you can still get your hands on a copy, but if not, then pick up the most important book.. The Bible! It will clearly tell you what you can and cannot eat. And like I said in a previous post, it will even give you clean hygenic guidelines that it we followed, I believe we would see a decrease in some of these diseases that we fight every day. YHWH wanted to protect His people from disease and plagues, but it is our ignorance and our lack of obedience that have brought so many of these things upon us! This study has taken my to me knees and reminded me that as a follower of the Messiah.. I need to to align ALL of my life (diet included) with His Word.