the Israelite's diet - preparing a people

The Israelite's were a strong people and the reason is because they were governed by strict laws regarding food and their lifestyle. During the time that Moses received the law of God at Mount Sinai and the erecting of the Tabernacle, he received instructions pertaining to living a clean and holy lifestyle.

In order for God to dwell among them, it was imperative that the people maintained a holy character, ethical behavior, cleanliness of person, cleanliness of surroundings and ate clean foods. Therefore the Priest were instructed, "Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee...that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean."  Lev. 10:9-10. In order to have strength of mind and spiritual discernment, there can be no consumption of wine, strong drink, or anything that would impair the judgment. This is why it is said that Christ while upon the cross refused to drink vinegar mingled with gall (Matt. 27:34) He did not want His judgment to be impaired. 

• The Israelites were instructed that their camp (home area) had to be clean in order for them to be strong in battle and delivered from their enemies (Deut. 23:14, ​"For the Lord thy God walketh in the miidst of thy camp to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee.).
• In Lev 11 they were instructed on the eating of clean and unclean meats, and also told not to eat that which contained fat or blood (Lev. 3:17, "It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood.").

In comparison to the other inhabitants of the world, God's ancient commandment-keeping people stood out above others in moral strength, physical endurance, intellectual ability, appearance, beauty and ability to survive, due to their diet and lifestyle accompanied with God's blessing. There are numerous examples in the Bible (too numerous to list here) that illustrate the benefits that attended their adherence to these laws:

• Gen. 32:24-30, Jacob wrestled with God and prevailed, not because of his physical strength, but because of his strength of mind and spirit. He knew that he wrestled with One other-worldly, and he was determined to be blessed by Him.
• Judges 14:5, 6, Samson had tremendous physical strength exhibited by killing a lion with his bare hands. When he was bound by the Philistines and then brought and tied between two pillars to look upon, he prayed to the Lord to strengthen him one last time, and it was given him (Judges 16:28-29).
• Daniel 1:12, Daniel and his three Hebrew companions who refused to eat the kings meat requested to be fed for ten days on pulse (vegetables/living food) and water. "And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat."  Dan. 1:15. Furthermore, "As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams." Dan. 1:17.

These examples are left for our benefit. God intends that our bodies be healthy, strong, productive, and attractive. But above all He intends that we have strength of mind and spirit, and He tells us how to achieve it in His word.

The services of the Sanctuary teaches us how we are to live, and what we are to eat as we move closer to God. At the beginning of the Christian's journey which begins in his tent and leads to the Courtyard we find flesh that was sacrificed and on occasion eaten by the Priest. As you move into the Holy Place, a little closer into God's presence we find no meat, but bread and oil. Upon entrance into the Most Holy Place, entering into the presence of God, we find in the Ark a pot of manna and almonds (an even more natural diet) along with the law of God as its centerpiece. 

As the children of Israel were on a journey to the promise land, so are we, and the Bible teaches that God prepared them for this transition. In Exodus 16, as God had moved the children of Israel closer to their destination (Canaan), He changed their diet to prepare their bodies for battle against their enemies, and their minds to be clear to serve Him and discern His leading. They went from meat to manna. Today we are on the brink of the heavenly Canaan and God is appealing to us to change our diet and lifestyle. He wants us to be a clean and holy people before Him. He is trying to prepare us for this great battle that we are about to engage in, and in order to survive it we must have clean, strong bodies, clear minds, keen intellect, and spiritual discernment and abilities. 

Now is the time for us to have the most simple but nourishing diet, free from fat, cholesterol, excessive sugar, preservatives, pesticides and contaminants. We have been counseled that "Grains and fruits prepared free from grease, and in as natural a condition as possible, should be the food for the tables of all who claim to be preparing for translation to heaven." CD 63

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
​Psalm 103:1-5