The Ministry of Health and Healing

Chapter 24—Flesh as Food

The diet appointed to human beings in the beginning did not include animal food. Not till after the Flood, when every green thing on the earth had been destroyed, did they receive permission to eat flesh. MHH 174.1

In choosing their food in Eden, the Lord showed what was the best diet. In the choice made for Israel, He taught the same lesson. He brought the Israelites out of Egypt and undertook their training that they might be a people for His own possession. Through them He desired to bless and teach the world. He provided them with the food best adapted for this purpose, not flesh, but manna, “the bread of heaven.” It was only because of their discontent and their murmuring for the fleshpots of Egypt that animal food was granted them, and this for only a short time. Its use brought disease and death to thousands. Yet the restriction to a nonflesh diet was never heartily accepted. It continued to be the cause of discontent and murmuring, open or secret, and it was not made permanent. MHH 174.2

Upon their settlement in Canaan, the Israelites were permitted the use of animal food, but under careful restrictions that tended to lessen the evil results. The use of swine’s flesh was prohibited as was also that of other animals, birds, and fish whose flesh was pronounced unclean. Clean meats were permitted, but eating of the fat and blood was strictly forbidden. MHH 174.3

Only such animals could be used for food as were in good condition. No creature that was torn, that had died of itself, or from which the blood had not been carefully drained could be used as food. By departing from the plan divinely appointed for their diet, the Israelites suffered great loss. They desired a flesh diet, and they reaped its results. They did not reach God’s ideal of character or fulfill His purpose. The Lord “gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul.” Psalm 106:15. They valued the earthly above the spiritual, and they did not attain the sacred preeminence that was His purpose for them. MHH 174.4