Chapter 15

“And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Genesis 2:16-17.

Although some think that it was an apple, the Bible does not identify the forbidden fruit. Unfortunately, the disobedience of Adam and Eve and their consumption of it resulted in the original sin.

“and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.” Exodus 3:8.

“And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he and all his servants and all the Egyptians. And there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where someone was not dead. Then he summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Up, go out from among my people, both you and the people of Israel; and go, serve the Lord, as you have said.”” Exodus 12:30-31.

“This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven out of your houses, for if anyone eats what is leavened, from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel.” Exodus 12:14-15.

The Roman Catholic Church uses unleavened wafers for Holy Communion.

Manna was a flake-like substance sent by God to sustain the Israelites in the wilderness during the exodus from Egypt. The exact nature is not stated.

“And when the dew had gone up, there was on the face of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing, fine as frost on the ground.” Exodus 16:14.

“Now the house of Israel called its name manna. It was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.” Exodus 16:31.

“And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” Luke 22:19-20.

The Holy Communion, also known as the Eucharist, commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with His disciples.

“And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.” Genesis 1:29.

“The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth and upon every bird of the heavens, upon everything that creeps on the ground and all the fish of the sea. Into your hand they are delivered. Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything. But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.” Genesis 9:2-4.

“Halal” is an Arabic word meaning “Permitted” or “Lawful” and it is a guide to various aspects of life in Islam. Halal foods are prepared according to Islamic dietary guidelines, but some non-Muslims opt for Halal food as well. A good way to remember is the saying “Everything is halal except ABCD IS haram”. The following are haram (prohibited). Alcohol. Blood (flowing). Carnivorous animals. Dead meat. Immolated to idol. Swine.

“Kosher” is a Hebrew word meaning “Fit” or “Proper” showing that the food meets the requirements of Jewish dietary regulations. Some non-Jewish people opt for Kosher food as well. Kosher laws cover the type of animals permitted, slaughter method, type and handling of dairy, and Pareve (eggs, fish, fruits, vegetables, and other food that do not contain meat or dairy).

“Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.” Matthew 3:4.

“And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.” Acts 1:9-12.