Expert: Rev. Robert Woods - 10/11/2009

Question
I have read that it is gluttony to use spices/sesonings. Is this true? Also, i know laziness is sin too. How long should we work to be okay?

Answer
Blessings and thank you for your question.

You have asked something that no one has ever asked me before.  

1.  Gluttony - is the sin of eating too much, caring only for food, or even denying others of food when you have plenty.  Jesus was falsely accused of being a glutton in Matt 11:19.   The wicked addicted to Phil. 3:19; Jude 1:12  Gluttony leads to carnal security Isa. 22:13; 1 Cor. 15:32; Lk. 12:19, Poverty Pr. 23:21, Of princes, ruinous to their people Eccl. 10:16,17, Is inconsistent in saints 1 Pet. 4:3, Caution against Pr. 23:2,3; Lk. 21:34; Rom. 13:13,14
Pray against temptations to Ps. 141:4, punishment of Num. 11:33,34; Ps. 78:31; Dt. 21:21; Amos 6:4, 7,  Danger of, illustrated Lk. 12:45,46,  Exemplified in Esau Gen. 25:30-34; Heb. 12:16,17
in Israel Num. 11:4; Ps. 78:18, in the Sons of Eli 1 Sam. 2:12-17, and Belshazzar Dan. 5:1

2.  The use of Spices and Seasonings is not part of being a glutton.  In fact, Jews were instructed to even "tithe" their spices.  The Hebrew word for spicery, nechoth, was the gum tragacanth, obtained from the astralagus, of which there are about twenty species found in Palestine. The tragacanth of commerce is obtained from the A. tragacantha. “The gum exudes plentifully under the heat of the sun on the leaves, thorns, and exteremity of the twigs.”

Spices were aromatic substances, of which several are named in Ex. 30. They were used in the sacred anointing oil (Ex. 25:6; 35:8; 1 Chr. 9:29), and in embalming the dead (2 Chr. 16:14; Lk. 23:56; 24:1; Jn. 19:39, 40). Spices were stored by Hezekiah in his treasure-house (2 Ki. 20:13; Isa. 39:2).  

• In the formula for the sacred oil Ex. 25:6; 35:8
• Stores of 2 Ki. 20:13
• Used in the temple 1 Chr. 9:29
• Exported from Gilead Gen. 37:25
• Sent as a present by Jacob to Joseph Gen. 43:11
• Presented by the Queen of Sheba to Solomon 1 Ki. 10:2, 10
• Sold in the marketplaces of Tyre Ezek. 27:22
• Used in the embalming of Asa 2 Chr. 16:14
• Prepared for embalming the corpse of Jesus Mk. 16:1; Lk. 23:56; 24:1; Jn. 19:39,40

Herbs and Spices were found growing on mountains, hillsides, along riverbanks, and in valleys. Herbs grew wild in fields and were sometimes cultivated in gardens. The existence of some herbs is well documented by the Bible, while others are rarely mentioned.
Sometimes the Bible refers to herbs by name (e.g., mustard, Mark 4:31–32). At other times, it alludes to them in general terms (Rom. 14:2).
The Latin word for herb is herba, meaning “grass,” “green stalks,” or “blades.” Some herbs grow as annuals and die soon after maturing. These usually multiply by reseeding themselves. Others are perennials, which multiply from the root; after a short period of winter dormancy, they sprout again when the spring rains begin. Psalm 37:2 and Matthew 6:30 mention herbs as symbols of a brief life.
A spice is a vegetable substance possessing a sharp taste and aromatic qualities. The Bible sometimes uses the Hebrew word for spices in general (bosem), which literally refers to the rich fragance of spices (Ex. 25:6; 1 Kin. 10:10). At other times, specific spices are mentioned, as in Exodus 30:23, Song of Solomon 4:14, and Ezekiel 27:19.
Spices were grown in Arabia, India, Persia, Syria, Palestine, and Egypt. There was an extensive commerce in spices between these countries (Gen. 37:25). For further information, see “Trade.” The people of the ancient world possessed an incredible knowledge of how to use spices and herbs. When royal emissaries sent gifts to rulers of other countries, spices and herbs were usually included in their cargo.
These plants were used for many purposes, including medicines, food, flavorings, cosmetics, dyes, disinfectants, and perfumes. Often every part of the plant was used: leaves, branches, bark, blossoms, berries, and roots. Many of these herbs and spices are still in use today.

Herbs and Spices were also used for Medicine. When a person’s body began to deteriorate and suffer pain, the victim would naturally look for a remedy. Thus the people of ancient times developed an extensive knowledge of natural medicines.
Probably the first medicines were introduced to the Israelites through the Egyptian people, especially the priests. Egyptians also embalmed their dead with spices and perfume—a custom that the Israelites soon came to accept.
In Bible times, medicines were made from minerals, animal substances, herbs, wines, fruits, and other parts of plants. Scripture often refers to the medicinal use of these substances.
For example, the “balm of Gilead” is mentioned as a healing substance (Jer. 8:22). The “balm” is thought to have been an aromatic excretion from an evergreen tree or a form of frankincense. Wine mixed with myrrh was known to relieve pain by dulling the senses. This remedy was offered to Jesus as He hung on the cross, but He refused to drink it (Mark 15:23). The Israelites anointed their sick with soothing lotions of olive oil and herbs. In the story of the Good Samaritan, oil and wine were poured into the wounds of the beaten man (Luke 10:34). The early Christians continued this practice, anointing the sick as they prayed for them (James 5:14).
Matthew 23:23 mentions certain spices that were often used as antacids. Mandrakes were used to arouse sexual desires (Gen. 30:14). Other plants were used as remedies or stimulant.