“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,” Psalm 104:14.
This morning (26/2/24) I read the words: “Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? . . . Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these,” Luke 12:24, 27.
When I thought upon the word ‘consider’, which is a translation of a Greek word which could also be translated ‘observe and understand’, I saw how that the Lord would have us observe His creation for it, in all its manifested elements, testifies of His merciful providence.
That caused me to think upon the verse above from the Psalms and particularly the words: “that he may bring forth food out of the earth.”
The Bible says: “And . . . of making many books there is no end,” Ecclesiastes 12:12. This is certainly so of cookery books! I never search the internet for news reports of the events of the day without coming upon innumerable recommended meals and recipes that can be prepared. I do not think I am wrong in thinking that such is the variety of food available from the earth for man that the combinations and dishes that are possible are almost infinite.
I. THE FOOD THAT THE EARTH BRINGS FORTH DECLARES GOD’S KINDNESS.
I wonder have you ever thought of just what it is God provides for our good from the earth? I have often pondered how that man, who was created out of “the dust of the ground” (Genesis 2:7), is daily sustained from that which springs up from the earth.
1. Everything we eat has its origin in the dust. Whether it be fruit, vegetables or meat, it has all come from the earth. What a miracle is involved in the transforming of grass into a juicy steak! It is most laughable that the ‘learned’ evolutionist thinks that the many ruminants somehow taught themselves to chew their cud and turn grass into that which man find’s delicious! Man cannot digest grass otherwise we would have a very abundant food source produced by our lawn! But God has ordained that many creatures can digest grass and from that produce that which we delight to feast upon and digest!
2. Just think of how many varieties of meats there are! Beef from cattle and similar animals such as deer, the tender meat that comes from the sheep, the much loved flesh of the chicken or turkey and then there are the varieties of flesh to come from the oceans!
Each of these creatures not only provide a variety of flavours and tastes, differing from species to species, but even the one creature can produce a variety of flavours. I am thinking particularly of that which we purchase from our butchers. When we seek a portion of meat from a domestic animal, the butcher will ask just what portion of the animal we wish to have for there are many varieties of flavours and textures, all from just the one animal!
Here is a diagram of the many differing ‘cuts’ of meat, with differing and distinctive flavours, which may be obtained from a cow!
I am sure that we have often sat down to lunch, given thanks to the Lord for His kind provision and yet never really considered just how extensive was His kindness!
What we say of the cow, we could repeat with regards all of the creatures upon which we depend for food. How often has mother said, as she divided out the meal: ‘Do you want white or dark meat?’ It is but a testimony of the great goodness of God to us.
3. Again, while not everyone can ‘dine’ on steak, there is in the food chain that which is within our means. In the law of the Levitical offerings, there was provision made for those who could not afford the offering of a heifer or a sheep. Heed these words:
“And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing: and he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD for his sin which he hath sinned, a female from the flock, a lamb or a kid of the goats, for a sin offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his sin. And if he be not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring for his trespass, which he hath committed, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, unto the LORD; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering,” Leviticus 5:5-7. So it is with our table. If we cannot afford the more expensive meats, there are those available which are cheaper but just as tasty and as nourishing!
II. THE SUBJECT OF FOOD NOT ONLY PROVIDES EVIDENCE OF GOD’S KINDNESS BUT ALSO OF MAN’S REBELLIOUSNESS!
It was stated from the beginning that God would provide food for mankind.
“And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so,” Genesis 1:29-30.
Later man was told specifically what food sources he should limit himself to. There were creatures deemed ceremonially ‘unclean’ and the Israelite was forbidden to eat such. See Leviticus 11 for example. Later, when the ceremonial law was fulfilled in the life and death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, Paul was able to say: “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer,” 1 Timothy 4:4-5.
1. Those who rail against the eating of meat, do so in defiance of God! There are those who have elevated the animal to the same level as the human being and declared that the slaying of animals for food is ‘murder’!
One news report said:
“Vegan activists stormed a steakhouse and disrupted diners’ meals by playing recordings of animals being killed in an effort to convince people to stop eating meat.
Around 20 demonstrators chanted: “It’s not food, it’s violence,” and held placards showing farm animal slaughter to highlight what they called the “unsustainable and unethical exploitation and suffering” in the meat industry.
The protesters, from a network called Direct Action Everywhere, initially entered the Touro Steakhouse in Brighton quietly while customers ate steaks.
Another headline ran: “Vegan activists ‘blackmail’ butcher into displaying sign saying killing animals is ‘violent and unjust.’”
This is but ignorant and rebellious man defying God and seeking to supplant His Holy Law. One other report I read stated: “Some older observational studies that include processed meats have correlated eating meat with certain cancers and heart disease. While more recent, higher-quality randomised control trials and review studies reveal that fresh steak and its saturated animal fat are not dangerous.
In 2021 the first high-quality studies of the all-meat carnivore diet have been released, showing that eating primarily steak while forgoing plant foods is remarkably healthy.”
That is but an ‘Amen’ to the teaching of Holy Scripture.
2. Perhaps it is more of the case of these ‘Vegan’ rebels demeaning man to the level of the animal rather than an elevating of the animal to the level of man! To the evolutionist, man is but an animal, perhaps a little higher up the evolutionary chain but still essentially an animal! Consequently, if the killing of a human being is ‘murder’ then so too is the slaying of a ‘fellow animal’. There is a fundamental difference between man and the beast. “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul,” Genesis 2:7. Man has an eternal spiritual nature as well as a physical frame. That is not so with the beast. While we and they have a physical nature man has a spiritual nature as well. This makes the differentiation between man and beast.
Thus the order that God has ordained regarding what we eat, and more importantly, the very core of God’s ordering of things for mankind, is turned upside down by rebellious man!
That is what ‘apostasy’ is all about. It is that ’spirit’ which in the days of Noah had produced a population so grievous in the eyes of God. “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually,” Genesis 6:5.
That same spirit of rebellion is very obvious today. We see once again “the wickedness of man . . . great in the earth.” The order that God instituted for men is challenged and defied at every level. Men universally are “lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof,” 2 Timothy 3:2-5.
Who can deny that such a spirit is very evident at every level of society?
3. It should be remembered that the Lord Jesus was a ‘meat eater’! Proof of this is seen in Matthew 26:17. “Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?”
At the Passover, a a lamb was prepared and eaten. That was ordained by the Lord back in the days of the Exodus from Egypt, Exodus 12. Christ, as was His habit, kept the Law of God and ate the Passover Lamb with His disciples, having first offered thanks for it.
III. DEPRIVING MEN OF THE WONDERFUL AND MERCIFUL PROVISION OF FOOD, HAS OFTEN BEEN USED BY GOD TO CHASTEN THE REBELLIOUS
1. The Lord has many rods of chastening at His disposal. He can smite men with ailments and disease. Aye, even His own people. Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation (condemnation) to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged,” 1 Corinthians 11:28-31.
He can deprive them of peace and security. “And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years. And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds. And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them; And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass,” Judges 6:1-4.
It is not armies or governments that protect our borders. This is in the hand of the Lord!
He can take away their wealth and possessions. “Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still, Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain. And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children’s of Israel. And the LORD appointed a set time, saying, To morrow the LORD shall do this thing in the land. And the LORD did that thing on the morrow, and all the cattle of Egypt died: but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not one,” Exodus 9:1-6.
This was but one of the chastening judgments that the Lord sent upon Egypt. When the Lord was finished pouring out His plagues upon Egypt, Pharaoh and his people they were more than willing to let Israel go! “And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men,” Exodus 12:33.
2. But one of the most severe rods of chastening is God stopping the production of food. All that is required to bring forth food from the earth is controlled by the Lord. The rain, the sunshine and the very act of germination — all are under His hand. Remember Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream. “What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh. Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: and there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; and the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous. And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass,” Genesis 41:28-32.
It should be remembered that the Lord is able to swiftly TURN plenty in to poverty! This nation may well learn this lesson soon!
One of the features of the last days is FAMINE. “Then said he (the Saviour) unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven,” Luke 21:10-11.
Please heeds these words which display the scenes at the end of this age.
“And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, and cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, and saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, and cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate,” Revelation 18:1-19.
Thus famine is amongst the ultimate judgments with which God can inflict sinful men.
3. How conscious the Christian should be of the mercy of God in spreading a table for us. Ought we not to remember that the Saviour would have us pray EVERY DAY for our food? “Give us this day our daily bread,” Matthew 6:11. It is He, not Tesco or Spar or Aldi Who is the source of our daily food. The ‘blue mould’ which we frequently see formed on bread and other foodstuffs, reminds us of the tenuous nature of our food supply. We need daily replenishing from the hand of God and for this we must humbly pray.
Of course man, true to his depraved and rebellious nature, believes that he, by his wisdom and skill, can ensure a supply of food. We see the order of God altered in this area of man’s activities of late. Greed has turned fields in to acres of concrete upon which are built beef factories, milk factories, egg factories, chicken factories. There are many ‘farm’ animals which never have stood on grass!
Drugs have been invented and applied to the production of food with adverse result, only some of which have become evident! Cows today produce twice, three times as much milk as they did when I was a boy. Of course they live a lot shorter lives. Man in his greed, cares nothing for the wellbeing of the animal except where it is to maintain his profits. That is not what the Lord would have. “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel,” Proverbs 12:10.
And yet, to a very large, indeed immeasurable degree, God in mercy continues to send forth food to the nations which have turned their back upon Him. That is the testimony of the multiplicity of cookery books with their unending variety of recipes and suggestions for food preparations.
The next time a cookery book is consulted or a seat is taken at a table ladened with good things, let there be a recognising of the kind treatment sinful man enjoys at the hands of God and et thanks be offered sincerely.
If you are not saved, doubtless you have never given any thought to such a matter. Just as you have ignored the wonderful message of mercy and love presented by the Bible so you have daily partaken of the gracious provision of God that keeps you alive without a thought of where it has come from or how that it is on the table before you requiring only that you reach out and partake of it and live.
So it is with the gospel ‘food’ set forth in Holy Scripture. Christ is the ‘bread of life’ for the soul. Just as you have but to eat the food on the table to enjoy physical life even so you have but to partake of the food of God in order to enjoy spiritual life.
“I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world,” John 6:48-51.
I’ve a message from the Lord, Hallelujah!
The message unto you I’ll give.
’Tis recorded in His Word, Hallelujah!
It is only that you “look and live.”
“Look and live,” my brother, live.
Look to Jesus now and live.
’Tis recorded in His Word, Hallelujah!
It is only that you “look and live.”
I’ve a message full of love, Hallelujah!
A message, O my friend, for you.
’Tis a message from above, Hallelujah!
Jesus said it, and I know ’tis true.
Life is offered unto you. Hallelujah!
Eternal life your soul shall have
If you’ll only look to Him. Hallelujah!
Look to Jesus, who alone can save.
I will tell you how I came, Hallelujah!
To Jesus when He made me whole:
’Twas believing on His name, Hallelujah!
I trusted and He saved my soul.
“Look and live,” my brother, live.
Look to Jesus now and live.
’Tis recorded in His Word, Hallelujah!
It is only that you “look and live.”
Rev Ivan Foster (Rtd)
26th February 2024