John The Baptist Was A Forager

Weekly Message

Tom Seymour

March 2, 2014

John The Baptist Was A Forager

John the Baptist lived in the desert and ate locusts and honey. No doubt, John consumed other foods too, probably plant products. But scripture concentrates upon locusts and honey.

References to food occur throughout the bible. Herbs, fish and olives all come to mind. Drink, too, gets more than ample mention. Wine is used again and again throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Today we know that grapes and wine made from grapes have some health benefits. We know that through science, but in biblical times, people knew simply because they were aware that God had provided grapes for them. The wine Jesus drank at weddings and banquets did not come in a bottle, bought in a store.

I am particularly interested in references to herbs. Herbs, in a biblical context, are not only pleasant seasonings and spices, but actual foods, main-dish foods. In bible times, people depended upon the local flora as a significant portion of their diets. Today, we have largely gotten away from personal involvement in procuring our food directly from the source.

In addition to preaching the word of God, I am a naturalist and as such, concentrate upon wild plant foods. The term “foraging” describes what I do. In fact, I have written several books on the subject and continue to host seminars and plant walks. And guess what? The level of interest in foraging increases each year. It seems that most everyone wants to get in touch with the land, to re-establish their connection to the natural world.

When preaching from the pulpit, I frequently brought in samples of newly-picked plants. I would explain the uses and benefits of these plants and often used the last phrase of the last sentence of Genesis 1:30 to drive my point home: I have given every green plant for food.

Just because we have largely become supermarket-dependent for our physical sustenance doesn't mean that we must continue in that walk. I’m beginning to see that part of my own personal ministry is to expand upon Genesis 1:30 and in a way that not only helps people to become more self-sufficient regarding their diets, but also shows people, even people who do not look to the Lord and have no relationship with Jesus Christ, how much God loves them.

And my plant talks and walks are available for all. If you have a church and wish for a substitute or fill-in pastor with a down-to-earth program, I am available.