Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Let's talk about food: The Bible says "Let's parteeee!"

[From the Schmalz Brewing Company]

If you are under the impression that the Bible recommends a life of dour deprivation--especially of good food and drink--read Deuteronomy 14:22-26 for comfort:
Set apart a tithe of all the yield of your seed that is brought in yearly from the field. In the presence of the Lord your God, in the place that he will choose as a dwelling for his name, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, your wine, and your oil, as well as the firstlings of your herd and flock, so that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always. But if, when the Lord your God has blessed you, the distance is so great that you are unable to transport it, because the place where the Lord your God will choose to set his name is too far away from you, then you may turn it into money. With the money secure in hand, go to the place that the Lord your God will choose; spend the money for whatever you wish--oxen, sheep, wine, strong drink, or whatever you desire. And you shall eat there in the presence of the Lord your God, you and your household rejoicing together.
And the tradition continues in the New Testament. Remember the winemaker for the wedding at Cana!

[Andrea Boscoli, 16th century]

L'chaim!
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This is part of a series of short posts especially for people who attend St Barnabas Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn, IL, where I'll be leading conversations about food on September 22, September 29, and October 6. I'll post about food every weekday between September 16 and October 4.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I guess they didn't have cars and drunk drivers then; were men beating their wives after a party? At least they didn't abondan them like now. They must not have understood addiction either and inherited alcoholism.
I say common sense trumps culture, even biblical culture.

LaVonne Neff said...

Common sense is very important, of course, and some people should never drink alcohol at all. Though the Bible often puts wine in the context of joy, it also contains plenty of warnings against abusing it - or even using it without giving thanks to God for providing it.