Relation of Diet to Health and Morals
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Appetite Ruled Antediluvians
Since the first surrender to appetite, mankind have been growing
more and more self-indulgent, until health has been sacrificed on
the altar of appetite. The inhabitants of the antediluvian world were
intemperate in eating and drinking. They would have flesh meats,
although God had at that time given man no permission to eat animal
food. They ate and drank till the indulgence of their depraved appetite
knew no bounds, and they became so corrupt that God could bear with
them no longer. Their cup of iniquity was full, and He cleansed the
earth of its moral pollution by a flood.
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Intemperance After the Flood
As men multiplied upon the earth after the Flood, they again forgot
God and corrupted their ways before Him. Intemperance in every
form increased, until almost the whole world was given up to its sway.
Entire cities have been swept from the face of the earth because of the
debasing crimes and revolting iniquity that made them a blot upon the
fair field of God’s created works. The gratification of unnatural appetite
led to the sins that caused the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
God ascribes the fall of Babylon to her gluttony and drunkenness.
Indulgence of appetite and passion was the foundation of all their sins.
Esau’s Experience
Esau had a strong desire for a particular article of food, and he had
so long gratified himself that he did not feel the necessity of turning
from the tempting, coveted dish. He allowed his imagination to dwell
upon it until the power of appetite bore down every other consideration
and controlled him. He thought he would suffer great inconvenience,
and even death, if he could not have that particular dish. The more he
reflected upon it, the more his desire strengthened, until his birthright
lost its value and sacredness in his sight, and he bartered it away. He
flattered himself that he could dispose of his birthright at will and buy
it back at pleasure; but when he sought to regain it, even at a great
sacrifice, he was not able to do so. He then bitterly repented of his
rashness, his folly, his madness, but it was all in vain. He had despised
the blessing, and the Lord had removed it from him forever.
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