Of Primary Importance – Part 2
Why I Choose Grass Finished Beef
By Bill Roberts
Census information has indicated that approximately 85% of Americans profess to be of Judeo-Christian faith. I am one of those 85%. As such, I believe that the Creator of the heavens and the earth has communicated to mankind via scripture. If in fact the Holy Scriptures were written by revelation from the Creator, it would be logical to assume their content is very important to know and understand for successful living. And, if they contain information about “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” as it states; it should contain some important information for those of us interested in human and livestock health in general and nutrition of same specifically. After all, who knows more about maintaining a manufactured product than the manufacturer? The following exposes some research into this area. I trust this will interest believers and skeptics alike.
Many folks interpret scripture a variety of ways. For simplicity sake, we will take words for their face value and allow the meaning of scripture to unfold without existential embellishment. After all, II Peter 1:20 & 21 (KJV) supports this guideline, “Knowing this first that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
In His communication to mankind, our creator and manufacturer laid down some basic information on fueling man and beast. Genesis 1:29 (KJV) – “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat (food).” In the Garden of Eden, there were ordained two basic food groups, herbs and fruit. The fruit of the tree yielding seed, it (singular) was ordained for food for man in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 1:30 (KJV) – “And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air and to everything that creeps upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat; and it was so.” The beasts of the earth had one basic
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food group and it did not include each other! Apparently the food chain was pretty simple in paradise. Animals were given the “green” herb for food.
Such was the intended cuisine for man and beast in their original state of paradise – fruit for man and green herb for beasts, which logically included cattle.
This dietary model met with an abrupt change when Adam and Eve “ate the apple” and “bit the bullet.” When they were disobedient to the word and will of their Creator, their sin brought all kinds of consequences. The consequences included being thrown out of paradise and getting a change in recommended diet. Genesis 3:18 (KJV) records, “Thorns and thistles it shall bring forth to thee and thou shalt eat the herb of the field.” Therefore, landmarks for man’s cuisine up until the great flood were – paradise had a fruit diet and post paradise had a fruit and herb diet for man. Much could be said regarding the spiritual dynamics, mechanics and biochemistry behind this. However, to stay on track for this commentary we will leave that for another day.
A third adjustment to the Creator ordained diet for mankind occurred after the great flood survived only by Noah, his family and the animals of the ark.
Genesis 9:1, 3 and 4 (KJV) record this adjustment in God’s post-flood address to Noah and his family; “And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth. --- Every moving thing that lives shall be meat for you even as the green herb have I given you all things. But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall you not eat.”
A final adjustment came to mankind for expanded understanding of a “Divine Diet” during Mose’s receiving of the Levitical Law. Leviticus 11 records the account in detail. For the sake of brevity, Leviticus 11:3 (KJV) has the “meat” of what we need to know at this point; “Whatsoever parts the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and chews the cud among the beasts, that shall you eat.” At this point in history, cattle and sheep became “What’s for dinner.” It has never changed since. Leviticus 11 goes on to record expanded specifics of what to eat and what not to eat among the beasts, fish and fowl for future generations of mankind.
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The scriptures even warned future carnivores of those that would come and try to change what God had ordained and provided for food for mankind, I Timothy 4: 1-5 (KJV) issues the warning; “Now the Spirit speaks expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron: Forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats, which God has created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused; if it be received with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”
In summary, the Creator of the universe ordained the green herb bearing seed for food for cattle and never changed the menu. Notice that he specifically said the “green herb”. That statement reflects the growing whole plant, not a particular part or segment of the plant. It would include all green growing herbs that bear seed not carried by a fruit which is distinguished in Genesis as coming from trees. We can talk about a Tomato Tree another time!
It is then established by scripture that man clearly is designed by his maker to eat meat from cloven hooved animals that are designed to eat these green herbs. The true author of the scripture is consistent throughout the centuries no matter whom He chose to pen the writings to declare “the truth about life and living.” Years after the aforementioned scriptural accounts, it was written in Psalm 104:14 (KJV) the summary statement; “He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man; that He may bring forth food out of the earth;”
If man truly wants “to prosper and be in health even as his soul prospers”- III John 2 (KJV), he is going to have to read, know and employ the maintenance recommendations of his Maker. That is why my number one reason for choosing grass finished beef is, “Always Follow Manufacturer’s Instructions.”
** Note about the author – Bill holds a B. SC. in Animal Science and a B. A. in Biblical Studies. He has spent over 40 years in practical research on livestock and human health and nutrition “linking science and scripture.”
