Blessing your food before you eat

[Charles YTK]

As a Christian you probably say a blessing over your food before eating. There are many variations on this some wrote and some spontaneous. But a basic prayer over food usualy goes something like this:

Heavenly father we give thanks to you for all things and now ask that you would bless this food before us and sanctifiy it to our good for the nourishment of our bodies, in Jesus name Amen.

Something like that anyway.

As A Child I asked God why we say these prayers. I was thankful but why bless the food? And the thing I got back as an answer was that people ask for the food to be sanctified and blessed because they eat that which is not food. Later in life I took a closer look at this.

Here is the Blesing that Jewish people and Messianics would use. It is the very same prayer that Yeshua said over the meal as this prayer goes back to the beginning.

Blessed are you o Lord our God, King of the Universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.

Also the prayer is usually said at the end of the meal because God said, "After you have eaten and are full give thanks to God" Most of us say it before some say it before and after.

The thing is in the Jewish prayer we are blessing God, not the food, "Blessed are you O Lord our God". We are giving our thanks and blessing to God who provides our needs. In the Christian prayer form you are thanking (Blessing) the food rather than the one who gives the food. You are asking the one who gives the gift to thank the gift! "Father bless this food" . And then you ask him to "sanctify it", make it holy and acceptable to eat. The reason is because the diet of Christians is limited only to that which was once alive. It can be snakes rats cats or worms and it doesn't matter, it can be eaten. In their hearts they know that God said what is food and what isn't and what is clean and what is unclean, but Christians seen to feel that through this prayer that which is unclean is made into something that is good to eat.

The Christian prayer form belies the fact that in the heart you know that you are eating what God says is unclean and not to be eaten. You say it before the meal in the hope that God will answer and you will not be harmed by eating what is unclean. I wonder if I were to pray before having sex with a prostitute if it would make it acceptable to God. "Father bless this prostitute and sanctifiy her to my enjoyment". Somehow it just does fit right in the mouth does it? And it actually makes the mind burn a little with disdain.

Why pray and ask God to change his mind and to accept our breaking his law. Why not obey his law and thank him for providing a way of keeping it by providing for us food that is clean and good to eat?

 

[Oblio]

And then you ask him to "sanctify it", make it holy and acceptable to eat. The reason is because the diet of Christians is limited only to that which was once alive. It can be snakes rats cats or worms and it doesn't matter, it can be eaten. In their hearts they know that God said what is food and what isn't and what is clean and what is unclean, but Christians seen to feel that through this prayer that which is unclean is made into something that is good to eat.

Or it could be Straw that they are being offered. In this case, rather than blessing it, we burn it.

Try again ...

 

[christianmomof3]

Hmm, it seems to me that many Jewish prayers begin with Ba-ruch a-tah A-do-nai E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ha-o-lam, which means: Blessed are You, O Lord, our God, King of the Universe.
This is not us blessing the Lord, but rather acknowledging that He is blessed.
So we are not blessing God.
We can't bless Him. He is the One from whom all blessings flow.
We can praise Him and this is a prayer praising Him.
When we pray before a meal we should thank Him for providing the food for us.

The Hebrew word "barukh" is not a verb describing what we do to G-d; it is an adjective describing G-d as the source of all blessings. When we recite a berakhah, we are not blessing G-d; we are expressing wonder at how blessed G-d is.

from http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/prayer.html#Who

 

[JTLauder]

I personally don't recite any rote prayer, but my prayers before I eat reflect both thanking and blessing God for providing the food as well as for the food.

The Christian prayer form belies the fact that in the heart you know that you are eating what God says is unclean and not to be eaten. You say it before the meal in the hope that God will answer and you will not be harmed by eating what is unclean. I wonder if I were to pray before having sex with a prostitute if it would make it acceptable to God. "Father bless this prostitute and sanctifiy her to my enjoyment". Somehow it just does fit right in the mouth does it? And it actually makes the mind burn a little with disdain.

I don't know if Messianic Jews follow the New Testament or not, but in Acts 11, when Paul refused to eat what he had considered "unclean" animals, God's response was that if God had made something clean, to then then it is no longer considered "unclean".
And this is echoed in Romans 14, that no food in itelf is unclean.

However, you do have a point, as is pointed out in Romans 14, that if you believe in your heart that something is unclean, then you should not go against what you believe to be true or to cause others to stumble in the same manner.

So in the end, what really matters is your own personal principles and whether your life reflects those principles or not.

 

[eoe]

Mat 15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
Mat 15:17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

 

[Orthocat]

Using that logic, we are all sinners. Why should we ask for blessings for ourselves or others?
Should we wait for our lives to be over before we ask for blessings or forgiveness or...whatever?

 

[Charles YTK]

I personally don't recite any rote prayer, but my prayers before I eat reflect both thanking and blessing God for providing the food as well as for the food.



I don't know if Messianic Jews follow the New Testament or not, but in Acts 11, when Paul refused to eat what he had considered "unclean" animals, God's response was that if God had made something clean, to then then it is no longer considered "unclean".
And this is echoed in Romans 14, that no food in itelf is unclean.

However, you do have a point, as is pointed out in Romans 14, that if you believe in your heart that something is unclean, then you should not go against what you believe to be true or to cause others to stumble in the same manner.

So in the end, what really matters is your own personal principles and whether your life reflects those principles or not.

Peter said that his vison was not about food at all but was about the acceptance of the Gentiles. Peter nor any Apostle ever deviates from the Kosher diet.

AC 11:1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. [2] And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, [3] Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. [4] But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, [5] I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: [6] Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. [7] And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. [8] But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. [9] But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. [10] And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven. [11] And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. [12] And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house: [13] And he showed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; [14] Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. [15] And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. [16] Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. [17] Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? [18] When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

 

[Charles YTK]

Mat 15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
Mat 15:17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

Context is important here. First off you must realize that they were eating bread and nothing unclean. The accusation was that they were eating with unwashed hands. By the Oral law of the Jews clean Kosher food became unclean if you did not perform a ritual handwashing first. This is not Gods law but a Rabbinical practice. Yeshua tells them that their accusation against the innocent is what was defiling them, because their accusation was from a heart that was evil.

MT 15:1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, [2] Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. [3] But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

 

[eoe]

Does eating unclean food defile a man?

 

[Charles YTK]

Using that logic, we are all sinners. Why should we ask for blessings for ourselves or others?
Should we wait for our lives to be over before we ask for blessings or forgiveness or...whatever?

I think you missed the point. Why ask God to sanctify your food if you are eating something that is already good to eat according to God. It is because you are eating something that you know God said it is an abomination to eat. So you ask God to make it acceptable through prayer.

 

[Charles YTK]

Does eating unclean food defile a man?

Does sin defile a man?

LEV 11:9 These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat. [10] And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you: [11] They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcases in abomination. [12] Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you.


God names the things that defile and that which is good. Does he know what he is talking about?

If we can eat anything that is an abomination then what about this from the same book and law?

Lev 18: [22] Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. [23] Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.


Consider for a moment this law of God.

LEV 18:6 None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD. [7] The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. [8] The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness.


Is it still in effect for the Christian? Yes according to Paul.

1CO 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. [2] And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. [3] For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, [4] In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, [5] To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Paul saw Gods law as still being valid. Same book same chapters.

 

[Oblio]

Does sin defile a man?

That is not what he asked.

 

[Charles YTK]

That is not what he asked.

God says eating unclen food is a sin. The answer is the same as I gave. Does eating uncleanfood defile a man? Does Sin defile a man. Sin is Sin.

Does having homosexual relations defile a man? Does adultery defile a man? All sin defiles.

 

[Oblio]

God says eating unclen food is a sin. The answer is the same as I gave. Does eating uncleanfood defile a man? Does Sin defile a man. Sin is Sin.

Does having homosexual relations defile a man? Does adultery defile a man? All sin defiles.

Can you answer eoe's question ?

Does eating unclean food defile you ?

Yes or No ?

 

[Oblio]

The answer is the same as I gave.

You gave a question, not an answer.

 

[Charles YTK]

Can you answer eoe's question ?

Does eating unclean food defile you ?

Yes or No ?

I already answered it twice now. Yes, it defiles you. Just as eating blood defiles you as the Apostles also said in Acts 15.

 

[Charles YTK]

You gave a question, not an answer.

I do not see EOE having any trouble with my answer. It seems that you are the one having trouble.

 

[Oblio]

And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
(Matthew 15:10-12 KJVA)

 

[Charles YTK]

As they say, "context is everything". What were they eating when the Pharisees accused them? Bread. Is bread Kosher? Certainly. So what was the accusation?

MT 15:1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, [2] Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. [3] But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?


It is clearer here in Mark

MK 7:1 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. [2] And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. [3] For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. [4] And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. [5] Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? [6] He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. [7] Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. [8] For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. [9] And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

The issue is not Kosher food. It is the traditions of the Rabbis who believed (contrary to the Torah) that if you eat without first performing a ritual washing of the hands, then unclean spirits could attach themselve to your food and that which was Kosher would become unfit to eat. It was a rabbinical ritual and not a Torah command. Yeshua turns this on them. He tells them that their accusing the innocent to defend their tradition was a defilement because they were speaking (accusing) from a corrupt heart. What defiled them was their unfounded accusation. Eating with unwashed hands did not defile clean food.

Context. And reading the details. I have a thread here that is providing some insights into the Judaism of the 2nd temple period. Perhaps you would find some things of interest there.

 

[BrightCandle]

Can you answer eoe's question ?

Does eating unclean food defile you ?

Yes or No ?

Note, the text below taken from the book of Isaiah, a book that Jesus often quoted from. This text depicts the second coming of Jesus, and how those who eating unclean foods at time will as the text says "come to a terrible end". Do you still think it is OK to eat pork?

Isaiah 66:15-17 (New Living Translation)

15 See, the Lord is coming with fire,
and his swift chariots roar like a whirlwind.
He will bring punishment with the fury of his anger
and the flaming fire of his hot rebuke.
16 The Lord will punish the world by fire
and by his sword.
He will judge the earth,
and many will be killed by him.

17 “Those who ‘consecrate’ and ‘purify’ themselves in a sacred garden with its idol in the center—feasting on pork and rats and other detestable meats—will come to a terrible end,” says the Lord.