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Abundant Life

Compiled by

Johann S Gadsden, D.D., D.Nut., D Psych., M.A.T.M.S.

How few really healthy people there seem to be on this 3rd Rock from the Sun these days! A polite "How are you?" usually elicits a description of some ache, pain, operation or some natural remedy for a "vitamin deficiency" or "that always tired feeling."

Everywhere, by every conceivable means, people are seeking relief from such disorders as stress, strains, nervous tension, cancer and heart disease, etc. resulting from the fast pace of 21st century living. Everywhere we look there are millions of these "walking sick"; while every hospital, sanitarium, clinic and mental institution is crowded to capacity with more serious cases.

Even the statistics issued by the major insurance companies worldwide make the picture look even worse. From these statistics we learn that vast numbers of people will die of cancer, heart disease and other life-threatening diseases over the next few years.

Surely Elohim did not intend life to be like this! Yahweh did not. The Sacred Scriptures are most definite on this point.

When Yahweh created Adam, he was given a constitution designed to last forever, sustained by the choice products of nature and the fruit of the Tree of Life. If he had not sinned, his teeth would never have decayed, his hair would never have fallen out, his eyes would never have grown dim, and his heart would have gone on beating for all eternity. The abounding vitality he experienced on the first day of his life would have been his through all eternity.

Even after Adam sinned and YHWH said to him, "Dying thou shalt die" (Genesis 2:17*, margin), it took a long, long time to wear him down.

The sacred Scriptures tell us that Adam lived nearly 1,000 years - 930 to be exact. His son, Seth, lived to be 912 years old, his grandson Enos, 905 years. Cainan lived 910 years, Mahalaleel 895 years, Jared 962 years, and Methuselah - the oldest man who ever lived - 969 years.

Are these figures real or not? Yes, they're real! When we consider how close these pioneers of the human race lived to Creation, they no longer seem unreasonable. Not only were their constitutions nearly perfect, unaffected by hereditary disease, but their diet was also of highest excellence. The fruits and vegetables, which were their chief articles of food, grew in soil that had not been contaminated with industrial waste or denuded of health-building minerals. In those days, too, the pace of living was less frantic. There were none of the fierce pressures that make prematurely age people today. In all probability heart disease and similar ailments were unknown in those far-off times.

As century followed century, however, man's life span gradually became shorter. While Noah lived 950 years, his son Shem attained but 600, his grandson Arphaxad, 438, and his great-grandson Salah, 433.

Two generations later Peleg lived only 239 years, and 4 generations after him Terah died at 205. See Genesis 11:10-32.

Terah's son, Abraham lived to be 175, and it is significant that Scripture states that "he died in a good age, an old man and full of years" (Genesis 25:28). Evidently by this time, 500 years after the Flood, the average age level had dropped considerably below this figure.

By the time King David arrives in the pages of world history and Scripture the average life span had been reduced to 70 years. David wrote in the Psalms "The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away" (Psalm 90:10).

Today, in many 3rd World Countries the period of life expectancy is lower still.

Over the years this marvelous piece of machinery that Elohim set in motion at Creation has been running down.

This was not, as stated above, the Creators original purpose. Elohim planned for life, not death; for health, not disease; for radiant energy, not weariness and pain.

When Yahweh El chose the children of Israel to be His special people He lovingly tried to show them how, despite the curse of sin, they could avoid many of its consequences. Through Moshe He revealed the secrets of abundant living and how they could keep well even when living under substandard conditions.

If they would but follow good advice, Moshe assured them, they would save themselves many sorrows.

"If you will diligently hearken the voice of Yahweh your Elohim, and do that which is right in His eyes, and give heed to His commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon you which I put upon the Egyptians; for I am Yahweh your healer" (Exodus 15:26, RSV).

On another occasion Yahweh told them that if they would serve Him with all their heart, they would enjoy abounding health. "I will bless your bread and your water," He said; "and I will take sickness away from the midst of your" (Exodus 23:25, RSV).

Some of this Divine instruction on healthy living is well worth restudying today.

1. They were to be careful about their food. They were "to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean and between the living creature that may be eaten and the living creature that may not be eaten" (Leviticus 11:47, RSV). Some things were good for food and some were not. To be well and healthy they must watch their diet - a fundamental truth that world at large has but recently begun to perceive.

2. They were to be careful about matters of hygiene. Cleanliness was of the utmost importance. Persons with infectious diseases were to be quarantined, as well as those who had been in contact with them (Numbers 5:2). Special precautions were to be taken with lepers (Leviticus 13:1-59). Meat kept more than 3 days - they had no refrigerators - was to be burned (Leviticus 7:17). Contaminated articles were to be destroyed (verse 19). It was all in harmony with modern medical standards.

3. They were to avoid immorality. The 7th commandment of Yahweh's Law, "Thou shalt not commit adultery," was intended to save them from the dread physical consequences of misuse of the body's most sacred function, plus to avoid sexually transmissible diseases.

4. They were to balance work and rest. Continual work would make them prematurely old. Continual rest would make them lazy and degenerate. To enjoy a happy, healthy life they must blend work and rest in perfect harmony. Yahweh's prescription was work for 6 days and then rest on the 7th. The 4th commandment of Yahweh's Law, "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy," He said. "Six days shalt thou labour and do all they work; but the seventh day is the sabbath of Yahweh your Elohim; in it thou shalt not do any work" (Exodus 20:8-10).

Nothing would contribute more to their total well-being than observance of this good counsel. Not only would it ensure for them adequate relaxation for their bodies, it would also benefit their minds by regularly interrupting their material pursuits with contemplation of the things of Elohim. Spiritual uplift, coming to them every 7th day, would be a powerful healing factor in their lives and bring them blessings innumerable.

"If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath," Yahweh told them, from doing thy pleasure on My holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of Yahweh, honourable; ... I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of Yahweh hath spoken it" (Isaiah 58:13-14).

As long as the children of Israel gave heed to this good counsel they enjoyed the promised blessings. So healthy were they for a while that the Scriptures tell us, "There was not one feeble person among their tribes" (Psalm 105:37). Unfortunately their faithfulness was short-lived, and it was not long before disease began to take its toll once more.

When Yeshua, Yahweh's Son came among humanity in Person He found Himself surrounded by the sick and dying. Everywhere He went He was trailed by people clamoring for restoration of health. The blind longed for sight, the deaf for hearing, the lame for power to walk. Some were paralyzed, some burned with fever, some bore the awful scars of leprosy.

As He beheld this mass of suffering humanity His heart of love was "moved with compassion" (Matthew 9:36). And no wonder! He was man's Creator and now had come to see the frightful wreckage sin had wrought. Without a thought for His own comfort or shalom (peace) He "went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil" (Acts 10:38). While He taught in the synagogues and preached the gospel of the kingdom, He busied Himself "healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people" (Matthew 4:23).

To these poor folks who were suffering so much He brought the inspiring thought that a new and better life was within their reach. "I am come," He said, "that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).

As the author of life Yeshua could say this with full assurance, knowing that He could fulfill the highest expectation of all who would accept His offer.

Did they need health? Did they want strength? Did they desire peace of mind? Did they seek overflowing vitality? It was all theirs for the asking. "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden," He said, "and I will you rest" ( Matthew 11:28).

Rest! Yes and life. Life more abundant than they had ever known.

But! there were conditions. They must be prepared to "in no more" (John 8:11). They must turn back to Elohim. They must keep His commandments. Then all their yearnings would come to pass. "If you keep My commandments," He told them, "you will abide in My love" (John 15:10, RSV). And that meant everything.

The underlying principles of a healthy and happy lifestyle is the same today as it was in Yeshua's day. Elohim has not changed. The Father, Son and Ruach HaKodesh' s compassion for us today is as great as it was for the suffering and needy of Galilee in the long ago. Yahweh cares for us as much as He did for the children of Israel in the wilderness.

Therefore, if we would have the more abundant life Elohim wants us to enjoy, there is a first step we can take. We can give our hearts to Him, and turning from all known breaking of His commandments, seek by His grace to live in full harmony with His revealed will.

* Unless indicated, scriptural quotations in this article are from the Holy Bible King James Version.

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