NUMBERS 13:23 When they reached the Valley of Eshcol, they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them.... [New International translation]
Summary: The Israelites were slaves in Egypt for over 400 years. GOD called Moses to lead them out of Israel across the Red Sea. GOD defeated pharaoh's army and performed numerous miracles (e.g. plagues on Egypt, parting the Red Sea, The angel of death passing over Egypt, manna from heaven, water from the rock, etc). The Israelites witnessed it all. GOD told the Israelites that HE was taking them to a "land flowing with milk and honey." When the people arrived at Canaan, the land GOD was giving the Israelites, GOD told Moses to pick a leader from each of the twelve tribes to spy out the land. Forty days later the men returned from their tour and reported in to Moses. They all agreed that it was a magnificent land, as evidenced by the huge cluster of grapes and the other fruit they brought back. The land was so fertile it took two men to carry a single cluster of grapes. "BUT," the ten said as they continued to report---and then the ten went on to list all of the things that they were afraid of and all the negative things they believed would prevent them from taking the land. The ten leaders said there were "giants" in the land, that the people were more "powerful" than they were, and that the cities were "fortified" by water, mountains and coast. Despite the reassurances of their leaders (Joshua and Caleb) that the people were "well able to overcome" any obstacle and that they could conquer and take the land the people (except for Moses, Jacob and Caleb) refused to move forward. Despite all the miracles GOD had already performed and all that GOD had already done, they refused to move forward. Instead they started blaming God for putting them in this awful situation because in their minds, they were already defeated. They blaming GOD for their present situation, they blaming GOD for things that happened in the past (e.g. taking them out of Egypt-even though they were slaves in Egypt), they even blamed Moses. They wept, wailed, moaned and groaned. According to the Living Bible translation, they "carried on all night." Caleb told the people "the LORD loves us," and begged the people to trust and not fear, but the people response was to threaten to stone Caleb, Joshua and Moses. Because of the people's rebellion, their lack of faith, their stubbornness, their ungratefulness, and their disobedience and defiance against GOD, all the complainers were punished. When the people learned that they would be punished the people arose early the next morning and started walking toward the "Promised Land," to enter it but Moses told them, it was too late: "You have deserted the LORD, and now HE will desert you." The unbelievers wondered in the desert [the wilderness] for 40 years and died. They missed out on the grapes and their blessing.
GRAPES
Grapes have been around for a long, long time. They have a rich history. There is evidence that grapes were cultivated in Asia as early as 5000 B.C. See, www.whfoods.com and they have been found in the hieroglyphics of Egyptian tombs. Noah planted a vineyard. Genesis 9:20. Jesus spoke about vineyards in a number of parables and teachings. (e.g. "I am The True Vine." "I am The Vine, you are the branches." John 15)
Some of the health benefits of grapes include:
- Protection against heart disease and blood vessels, to prevent varicose veins, hemorrhoids, hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.
- Protection against LDL cholesterol from oxidation; (LDL is often called "bad cholesterol"- cholesterol is a fat like substance found in the body's cells. The body needs cholesterol to work right. Too much cholesterol, especially the bad type, can result in buildup and plaque in the artery walls, which can lead to blockage, reduced blood flow and heart disease).
- Some people even use grapes as a mild laxative.
- Grape seed is used for diabetes complications, including nerve and eye problems, improving wound healing, preventing tooth decay and an age-related eye disease called macular degeneration, and to prevent liver disorders and hay fever.
- Grape leaf has been used for chronic fatigue syndrome, diarrhea, heavy menstrual bleeding, uterine bleeding and canker sores.
See, www.webmd.com.
It is interesting that most of the health benefits in grapes are most concentrated in the skins, stems and seeds of grapes rather than their juicy middle sections.
Red Grapes vs. Green Grapes
Red grapes or purple grape products may reduce the risk of heart disease by relaxing the blood vessels and allowing for easier blood flow. This is probably due to antioxidants found in the skin and seeds of the grapes. One particular antioxidant, resveratrol, is especially important. This is especially high in dark purple Concord grapes. Resveratrol is one of the reasons why people in grape producing countries tend to have higher longevity. Red grapes are also high in nutrients like vitamin C and B, proteins, copper, anthocyanins, manganese and potassium.
Green grapes also have a high nutritional value. They are rich in carbohydrates, vitamin C and vitamin K. Flavonoid antioxidants known as Catechins are present in the white or green species. Some amount of iron and potassium are also found in green grapes. See, www.buzzle.com.
According to www.buzzle.com, most nutritionist and health experts would recommend consuming more of red grapes than green grapes because red grapes contain a higher content of antioxidant, which are found in very little amounts in green grapes. Also green grapes contain a slightly higher amount of calories as compared to red grapes. Green grapes also lack anthocyanin, which red grapes contain in high amounts. There is also a higher amount of Resveratrol and Quercetin in red grapes. According to www.buzzle.com. "Resveratrol is known to aid the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and also has anti-fungal and anti-cancer properties."
If you are drinking grape juice, www.whfoods.com recommends you avoid products labeled as grape "drinks," because they may be high-sugar products with little real grape juice. Also, grapes are often listed among some of the foods where pesticide residues have frequently been found. So, you may want to consider buying grapes that are organic or where the grower can guarantee that the grapes are pesticide free. In general, even if you buy organic, be sure to always wash your grapes before eating.
According to www.webmed.com, some medications interact with grapes. Some of the medications that may be affected include: Zyprea, Clozaril, Flexeril, Luvox, Haldol, and Zomig. WebMD also states that grape seed (often taken in the form of a vitamin supplement) might also slow blood clotting and; thus, interact with blood clotting medications (e.g. Warfarin (Coumadin). As always, if you have any questions about how foods might interact with any medication you are taking or concerns about what foods are more or less beneficial to you, you should always consult your own personal physician, who knows your medical history and can properly respond to your questions and concerns.
CARRY ON
During World War I, the British Ministry of Information often posted "moral boosting posters" that were displayed in public places during the testing times of war that lay ahead. One of the moral boosting signs said: "Keep Calm and Carry On."
Growing up many of us heard our mothers or grandmothers use the expression that he or she was "Carrying on something awful." They were often describing an irrational, complaining person who no one could "reach" or help.
Life is about "Carrying on." We can either trust GOD, have faith (keep calm) and "carry on" or we can "carry on something awful." The Bible is full of wonderful examples of men and women who "Had Faith and Carried On"—e.g., Rahab (Joshua 2), The Shunammite woman (2Kings 4), Ruth and Naomi (Book of Ruth), Abraham (Genesis 22), Joseph (Genesis 39), and JESUS (Luke 4). All of them were tested or tempted and carried on. There are also example of people in the Bible who "Carried on something awful"--- e.g., Job's wife (Job 2) and the people in Numbers 13.
If you find yourself starting to complain, as we are all prone to do every now and then, the Apostle Paul offers some good advice. Paul says: "Don't worry about anything: instead, pray about everything; tell GOD your needs and don't forget to thank HIM for HIS answer." (Philippians 4:6) Paul also suggests this: "think about things that are pure, lovely and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about." (Philippians 4:8). According to Paul, if we continuously plant these seeds in our minds, there won't be room to sow seeds of doubt, fear, worry or complaints and we can keep moving forward.
So, enjoy your grapes today, pray about everything and say a prayer of thanks.
Carry on, have faith and Be Blessed!
