To the editor:
Most people who study the Scriptures know the story in the book of Daniel concerning the four Hebrew children. Their original Hebrew names are Daniel, Hananyah, Mishael and Azayah. Their names were changed by their captors — Babylonians who assigned them pagan names with pagan meanings. The Greeks and Romans followed the pagan Babylonians in the name changes. All three races thought they were superior to the Hebrew nation because they were allowed to take them into captivity.
Daniel requested a special food to eat called “pulse.” Yahweh had given these four men knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom. After eating this food for 10 days, they were brought before the king and none were found like them in the kingdom. The sovereign found them 10 times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were all in his reign.
What would cause a person to change that much in appearance in only 10 days? What is “pulse,” and why should we eat it?
Pulse is defined in 2 Samuel 17:28 as wheat, barley, flour, beans, lentils and parched corn. The Hebrew word for pulse is Zeroa; something sown, a vegetable (as food); pulse (Strong’s Concordance, Page 2232, Hebrew index). Actually, pulse is an excellent source of protein, fiber and potassium, as well as many other essential minerals.
Research shows that pulse foods help manage glucose levels and lower bad cholesterol, help prevent heart disease, obesity, asthma, some types of cancer and other chronic diseases. Gram for gram, they are the usually among the least expensive and usually — with a diversity of whole grains, nuts and vegetables — supply adequate protein.
Chick peas, kidney beans, black-eyed peas, pinto beans and others are pulse foods. Pulse also builds up soil.
Billy Wilson
Rockingham