Before we move on to the final portion of this series next week, let’s cover one more crucial topic that is used to change the dietary instructions of the Bible. We will discuss the idea or belief that everything is clean to eat as long as you pray over it. If you haven’t already had the opportunity to read through the previous parts, I highly recommend that you do. This will help you better understand the context and progression of the topics discussed.
Just Pray Over It
1. But the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, following deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
2. who with false appearance mislead and will speak lies in hypocrisy, being seared in their own conscience,
3. forbidding to marry, saying to abstain from foods, which Elohim created for partaking with thanks-giving by the believers and those knowing the truthβ .
4. Because all things created by Elohim are good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with thanks-giving;
5.Β for it is sanctified through the Word of Elohim and prayer.Β
1 Timothy 4:1-5 (HRB)
In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.
1 Timothy 4:1-5 is frequently misinterpreted due to a lack of understanding of the social and cultural influences of the times. Many during this time were preaching vegetarianism and veganism for holiness to avoid eating meat sacrifices to false idols and deities (Acts 15:28-29). The normalcy of animal sacrifice to false idols and deities among Gentiles was so great that they had tons of meat left over, and it was sold in the markets. Many believers turned vegan because of the meat being sold openly in the markets versus taking the pray over it and eat route. The issue is that teaching vegetarianism and veganism is not found in Torah. Thus, it is not biblically sound, even though many of that day and people of today argue that veganism was the original plan of π€π€π€ π€ which might be correct; however, again, the Bible does not explicitly teach this. Though Adam and Eve were originally given plants to eat, π€π€π€ π€ never forbid them from eating meat, but later on, after their fall, π€π€π€ π€ allowed them to eat of meat and provided instructions with it.
Disregarding the biblical context that scripturally sanctified clean animals of Leviticus 11, fruits and vegetables are what was considered food, and unclean meats were not considered food, can also cause the true meaning of the verses to be lost or distorted. It’s important to take into account the historical background of the Old Testament and the New Testament up to this point, as well as cultural nuances, to properly understand the message being conveyed.
A Closer Look at the Scriptures
A closer look at Verses 1-5 with a biblical and cultural understanding that the food being referred to is clean meat or food that has been sanctified through the Word of π€π€π€ π€ (Leviticus 11). Also with an understanding of the push to be vegan.
Definition of Sanctified:
- Set apart as or declare holy; consecrate.
- Cause to be or seem morally right or acceptable.
- To impart or impute sacredness, inviolability, or respect to.
Definition of Qodesh:
- Apartness, holiness, sacredness, separateness. apartness, sacredness, holiness. of π€π€π€ π€.
- Verse 1 – Paul is warning Timothy of a future time, possibly our time now or in the end time, when some will leave the truth. Not only will they leave the truth, but they will also leave the teaching of Torah, follow deceiving spirits, and learn the doctrines of demons. (Hebrews 6:4-6, 2 Peter 2:21, Romans 1:28-32)
- Verse 2 – These same individuals will become counterfeiters like Satan and disguise themselves and mislead people by speaking lies and teaching doctrines of demons (2 Corinthians 11:14).
- Verse 3 – They will try to persuade people to abstain from foods that Elohim created for partaking or sanctioned as clean to eat. π€π€π€ π€ did not create all meats to be received for eating. Culturally speaking, these people did not consider any unclean meat as food, just like we here in America don’t consider dogs, cats, horses, or rats to be food. Look at the translations below; they all say food which π€π€π€ π€ created to be received, partaken of, or eaten. The Scripture is NOT sanctioning the consumption of unclean animals that were not created to be received, partaken of, or eaten that would violate the Torah and the Word of YAH.
- KJV: “abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.”
- HRB: “abstain from foods, which Elohim created for partaking with thanks-giving by the believers and those knowing the truth”
- NIV: “abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth
- ESV: “abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.”
- Verse 4 and 5 – Paul concludes this matter by explaining that all things created byΒ π€π€π€ π€Β are good and nothing should be rejected IF it is received with thanks-givingΒ and is sanctified through the Word ofΒ π€π€π€ π€. So this is very true: all things created by YAH are good. However, all things are not to be received or, in the context of these scriptures, eaten unless it is received with thanksgiving and sanctified (set apart) or authorized by Scripture (Leviticus 11). So, Paul is speaking about clean kosher foods laid out in Scriptures. Pork, crabs, shrimp, etc., are not sanctified through the Word ofΒ π€π€π€ π€, but are unclean animals that are restricted from eating throughout the Bible. From the time of Genesis 7:2 to Levetitcus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 to Matthew 5:17 to Act 10:14 to our present day and the future Isaiah 65:4. We serve an El that said He does not change and can not lie, so does He change and is He a liar?
who sit among the graves and lodge in the towers; who eat swine’s flesh, and broth of unclean things in their pots
Isaiah 65:4 (HRB)
“Isaiah 65:4 is an end time Scripture and the people are rebuked for eating unclean food according to Leviticus 11, showing that these laws of Torah are still in affect in the future”.
In this and all Food for Thoughts I recommend you read the Scripture(s) provided and the entire chapter they are from to obtain more insight.
Conclusion
1 Timothy 4:1-5 is not at all encouraging believers to eat unclean foods or meats by offering a prayer of thanksgiving for it to clean the food and make it acceptable. That would be like offering a prayer of thanksgiving over adulterous activities with the expectation that π€π€π€ π€ is going to bless it; only a marriage between one man and one woman is sanctified through the Scripture and is what π€π€π€ π€ will bless. Paul is telling Timothy that clean meat sanctified through the scripture can be received with thanksgiving. He was also cautioning against those teaching doctrines of demons, persuading man to do things against the Torah and follow in the ways of man’s doctrines. What is most interesting is that the most recognized unclean animal worldwide in multiple religions is the pig (swine). However, it is the most eaten animal in the world. Satan has been busy teaching anti-Torah things and getting men to accept the doctrines and teach them to others. Whether you are Yahshar’el or grafted in branches, we are Qodesh, to π€π€π€ π€ and should only be eating Qodesh food.
By: David Edwards β HalleluYAH β Praise YAH β Praise π€π€π€ π€
