Since we've been focused on food for the past few months, now is a good time to think about what the Bible has to say about it. Here are just a few observations . . .
In the Old Testament, God seemed eager to tell Adam what to eat and what not to eat (Gen. 2:16-17). It was in fact the first commandment. (It would be many years before God called Moses to the top of Mount Sinai to issue what we call the Ten Commandments.) Later, God gave manna to the Israelites when they thought that he was going to leave them in the desert to die. Manna had a dual purpose: 1. to convince the people that he was God (Ex. 16:12); 2. to test them to find out if they believed him (Deut. 8:16). In the New Testament, the apostle Paul stated the proper attitude for everything we do, including eating: “Whether you eat or drink, . . . do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31).
As these passages indicate, God uses food not only to bless but also to teach. This means that our misuse of food keeps us from knowing God in ways that he wants to be known. Obsessive eating or not eating indicates that we are focused on the gift rather than on the Giver, and this is a form of idolatry.
When we think of food as a friend that comforts us or an enemy that makes us fat, we miss the wonder of receiving with gratitude a splendid gift from God. When eating becomes a true act of worship, we will no longer worship food. — Julie Ackerman Link (adapted from today's Our Daily Bread)
When food becomes our god,
our appetite for the Bread of Life is diminished.
our appetite for the Bread of Life is diminished.
The new Bible reading schedule begins tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment