When the Lord thy God shall enlarge thy border, as hee hath promised thee, and thou shalt say, I will eate flesh (because thy soule longeth to eat flesh) thou mayest eat flesh whatsoeuer thy soule lusteth after. Deuteronomy 12:20 (KJV)
Historical and Contextual Background: The book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible, traditionally attributed to Moses, and it primarily consists of his farewell addresses to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land.
Expanding the Borders: The opening phrase, “When the LORD thy God shall enlarge thy border, as he hath promised thee,” refers to the fulfillment of God’s promise to give the Israelites possession of the land of Canaan, whose borders would be larger than their current territory. It signifies the expansion of their territorial boundaries.
Permission to Eat Meat: The verse continues, “and thou shalt say, I will eat flesh, because thy soul longeth to eat flesh; thou mayest eat flesh, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after,” (also rendered “then thou mayest eat of all the meat which the LORD thy God hath given thee, according to the desire of thine eyes”). Here Moses addresses the issue of eating meat. In the wilderness the Israelites relied on manna and quail; with the abundance of land and livestock in the Promised Land they would have the opportunity to eat meat to satisfy their desire for it.
Restrictions and Warnings: While the Israelites were granted permission to eat meat, there were still certain restrictions and guidelines regarding their dietary practices. The following verses prohibit the consumption of blood and prescribe where and how burnt offerings and sacrifices should be offered to the LORD.
Principles and Lessons:
Gratitude for God’s provision: This verse reminds the Israelites to recognize God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises by expanding their borders and encourages gratitude for the land and its bounty, including meat.
God’s allowance of desires: The verse acknowledges that God understands the desires of the human heart and gives permission to satisfy the longing for meat, subject to the prescribed worship practices.
Balanced and regulated desires: The permission is given within the boundaries of God’s instructions; it does not imply unrestrained indulgence but the fulfillment of desires in alignment with His principles and regulations.
Submission to God’s authority: Even with permission to eat meat, it remains important to follow God’s instructions regarding worship and sacrifices, emphasizing obedience and submission to His authority in all aspects of life, including dietary choices.
Overall, Deuteronomy 12:20 teaches about gratitude for God’s provision, the allowance of desires within His boundaries, and the importance of obedience to His instructions.
