Locusts and Wild Honey

God speaks to the children of Israel in Deuteronomy 30:19, as He speaks to all those in the world today:

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

I’ve stated many times, and of necessity it bears repeating, that all of God’s commandments have inherent within them a blessing or a cursing. To say it another way, God’s commandments have inherent within them life or death. We choose on a daily basis—life or death. God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, said in John 14:6:

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.

Choose Jesus Christ and live. If you haven’t surrendered your life to Christ, click onto “Further With Jesus” for childlike instructions and immediate entry into the Kingdom of God. NOW FOR TODAY’S SUBJECT.

GOD SAID, Matthew 3:1-6:

1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea,

2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan,

6 And were baptised of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

Over 500 years before John, the son of Zacharias, better known as John the Baptist, was born, the prophet Isaiah supernaturally foretold his coming. The purpose of his coming was to prepare the way of the LORD. John wore a leather girdle and clothing of camel’s hair. The mainstays of his diet were locusts and wild honey. He played an integral part in the plan of salvation.

MAN SAID: John the Baptist never existed. The idea of a Holy, omnipotent God who tells the end from the beginning is ridiculous! The concept of the basic diet of John the Baptist, which was locusts and wild honey, is ludicrous!

Now THE RECORD. We’ve spent much time establishing the historicity of Jesus Christ. In regard to the record of secular history concerning Jesus Christ, and those around Him such as John the Baptist, there is much to tell. The famed Jewish historian Josephus, for one, had this to say:

Now, some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod’s army came from God, and that very justly, as a punishment of what he did against John, that was called the Baptist; for Herod slew him, who was a good man, and commanded the Jews to exercise virtue, both as to righteousness towards one another, and piety towards God, and so to come to baptism; for that the washing [with water] would be acceptable to him, if they made use of it, not in order to the putting away, [or the remission] of some sins [only], but for the purification of the body: supposing still that the soul was thoroughly purified beforehand by righteousness. Now, when [many] others came to crowd about him, for they were greatly moved [or pleased] by hearing his words, Herod, who feared lest the great influence John had over the people might put it into his power and inclination to raise a rebellion, (for they seemed ready to do anything he should advise,) thought it best, by putting him to death, to prevent any mischief he might cause, and not bring himself into difficulties, by sparing a man who might make him repent of it when it should be too late. Accordingly he was sent a prisoner, out of Herod’s suspicious temper, to Macherous, the castle I before mentioned, and was there put to death. Now the Jews had an opinion that the destruction of this army was sent as a punishment upon Herod, and a mark of God’s displeasure against him.

When you take into consideration that the God of the Bible created everything, it should come as no surprise that He can define each part of creation’s benefit and purpose. Only a supernatural Creator could know the intrinsic workings—the secrets, the purpose, the "fitability" of all things—just another proof of our God.

Concerning locusts, God said in Leviticus 11:21-22:

21 Yet these may ye eat of every flying creeping thing that goeth upon all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth;

22 Even these of them ye may eat; the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the grasshopper after his kind.

The idea of eating locusts or grasshoppers is repulsive to many, but keep in mind that most think nothing of eating a cow or a chicken’s flesh. It’s really a matter of mind-set. In ancient Greece and Rome, fried locusts, cicadas, and grasshoppers were considered a delicacy superior to the best meat or fish. These insects have enormous nutritional value. Grasshoppers, for example, are 60% protein versus chicken or beef with about 20%. According to author Christopher Nyerges, "When hordes of locusts destroy acres of crops, farmers should be counting their blessings and rapidly collecting locusts. After all, the locusts are a much higher protein source than the grains they’re devouring." [End of quote]
John the Baptist ate locusts just as many Asians also did then and still do today. Locusts are prepared by many by being slightly roasted, dried in the sun, and then salted. When eaten, the wings, legs, and head are removed; when the head is removed, the intestines come out with it. The part left is the fleshy portion. Locusts are a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals.

Brother John ate locusts and the gold standard of food—wild honey. You can be sure that God’s recommendations are always correct. He knows, for He designed and created all things.

GOD SAID, Matthew 3:1-6:

1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea,

2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan,

6 And were baptised of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

MAN SAID: John the Baptist never existed. The idea of a Holy, omnipotent God who tells the end from the beginning is ridiculous! The concept of the basic diet of John the Baptist, which was locusts and wild honey, is ludicrous!

Now you have THE RECORD.



References:

King James Bible

Davis, J.D., "Davis Dictionary of the Bible"

Nyerges, C., "Guide to Wild Foods & Useful Plants," Chicago Review Press, 1999

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