Flesh Foods
295
unclean. Of the meats permitted, the eating of the fat and the blood
was strictly forbidden.
Only such animals could be used for food as were in good condi-
tion. 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
[229]
purpose. The Lord “gave them their request; but sent leanness into
their soul.”
Psalm 106:15
. They valued the earthly above the spiritual,
and the sacred pre-eminence which was His purpose for them they did
not attain.
Those who eat flesh are but eating grains and vegetables at second
hand; for the animal receives from these things the nutrition that
produces growth. The life that was in the grains and vegetables passes
into the eater. We receive it by eating the flesh of the animal. How
much better to get it direct, by eating the food that God provided for
our use
The Cause of Much Disease and Sickness
Flesh was never the best food; but its use is now doubly objection-
able, since disease in animals is so rapidly increasing. Those who use
flesh foods little know what they are eating. Often if they could see
the animals when living and know the quality of the meat they eat,
they would turn from it with loathing. People are continually eating
flesh that is filled with tuberculous and cancerous germs. Tuberculosis,
cancer, and other fatal diseases are thus communicated
The liability to take disease is increased tenfold by meat eating
The animals are diseased, and by partaking of their flesh, we plant
the seeds of disease in our own tissue and blood. Then when exposed
to the changes in a malarious atmosphere, these are more sensibly
felt; also when we are exposed to prevailing epidemics and contagious
diseases, the system is not in a condition to resist the disease.
407
The Ministry of Healing, 311-313
408
The Ministry of Healing, 313
409
Testimonies for the Church 2:64