Protect Your TempleNäide

Nourish Your Body

I am sure you have heard the saying, “You are what you eat.” We might be a human taco or ice cream sundae if this were true. Of course, this old saying refers to the importance of what we use to fuel our bodies. While indulging in the delicious food we have at our disposal is fine, a consistent diet of ice cream and fried chicken would probably not fare well in the long run. It is crucial to ensure we care for ourselves by paying attention to what we physically intake.

In the book of Daniel, we read about the trials and triumphs of a young Jewish man named Daniel while under Babylonian captivity. At the beginning of his captivity, we read in 1:8 that “Daniel determined that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or the wine he drank. So he asked permission from the chief eunuch not to defile himself.” The main reason for this request is that Daniel did not want to go against Jewish law by eating potentially unclean food. Later in verse 12, Daniel asked a guard to be tested for ten days along with three other servants. “Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.” After ten days, Daniel and the other servants “looked better and healthier than all the young men were eating the king’s food.”

As previously stated, Daniel’s request was not motivated by health. However, this is an example of God providing a favorable outcome through obedience and healthy eating.

On the other side, we read in Ecclesiastes 3:13 that “It is also the gift of God whenever anyone eats, drinks, and enjoys all his efforts.”

While the Bible does not explicitly lay out an eating plan for us, it does lead us towards the principle of balance. We should choose the balance between healthy eating and the enjoyment of rich foods. In the Old Testament, we read about the various feasts within Jewish law. Create a disciplined habit of healthy eating. But make sure to enjoy a feast of God’s blessings on occasion.