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During the message from Genesis 2:1-17 on Sunday morning, Pastor remarked that God designed food to look and taste good and to be “gastronomically agreeable” (not harming the body).  It is important to remember that at the time of Genesis 2, sin had not yet entered into the world; nevertheless, even though we presently live in a sin-cursed world, God’s design and intent for food as seen in Genesis 1-2 are still evident.  For this week’s AAT, I want to briefly remind us of what Genesis 1-2 teaches us about food, then I will briefly develop some other principles Scripture teaches, and lastly make practical application for our everyday lives.  

According to Genesis 1:12, fruit is included in the good of God’s creation.  Genesis 2:9 then shows us that food is a part of God’s good creation: “And out of the ground the LORD God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food” (Italics mine).  Not only does the creation of food show God’s creative design and intelligence in fashioning the world, but it also highlights his provision for mankind.  

No doubt you have heard some variation of the phrase “eat, drink, and be merry.”  This expression is actually found in Scripture, as seen in Ecclesiastes 8:15: “And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful” (Italics mine).  Many passages use this adage to describe gluttonous, selfish lifestyles (i.e., Jesus’ parable in Luke 2:12-31), which are a direct result of the Fall.  However, Ecclesiastes 8 demonstrates that food can and should rightly be enjoyed by the believer!  

Because of the Fall, our bodies are dependent on the nourishment food provides.  Yet God in his sovereignty and infinite wisdom, has designed what we eat to be aesthetically pleasing and enjoyable (personal preferences aside!).  Personally, I have been challenged as I eat food to praise and to worship God for how His goodness is displayed through what I eat.  Believers understand the significance of “saying grace” before a meal; I would encourage all of us in those times of prayer before eating to consider praising God for the way He created food!