Monday, July 6, 2009

BBQ in the Bible


A reader sent over the following passages from the good book relating to smoked meats, and I thought I would share his diligent research.

"Hey, brothers in BBQ,

Like yourselves, I am also a Texas BBQ lover and find good BBQ is a religious experience. Therefore, as an ordained minister of the Universal Life Church, I turned to the Bible to see what the good book hath say regarding meat, smoke, and fire. Well, here it is along with my interpretation.

Deuteronomy 12:15 Nevertheless, you may slaughter your animals in any of your towns and eat as much of the meat as you want… according to the blessing the LORD your God gives you. Both the ceremonially unclean and the clean may eat it.

Deuteronomy 12:20 When the LORD your God has enlarged your territory as he promised you, and you crave meat and say, "I would like some meat," then you may eat as much of it as you want.

Leviticus 11:3 You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud.

Ezekiel 24:10 So heap on the wood and kindle the fire. Cook the meat well, mixing in the spices; and let the bones be charred.

Exodus 12:8-10 8 That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. 9 Do not eat the meat raw or cooked in water, but roast it over the fire—head, legs and inner parts. 10 Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it.

Reverend Sam’s interpretation… According to the blessing the Lord your God gives you, you crave meat and say, "I would like some meat," then you may eat as much of it as you want. So heap on the wood and kindle the fire. Cook the meat well, mixing in the spices; and let the bones be charred. Do not eat the meat raw or cooked in water, but roast it over the fire and eat the meat roasted over fire. Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must eat it then for breakfast. The word of the Lord. God Bless Texas."

Thanks Reverend Sam. We just knew we were doing God's work!

- BBQ Snob

3 comments:

PM Summer said...

As a chili-head, I have to say the Bible is much clearer in it's endorsement of a Bowl of Red than it is for 'Cue.

Genesis 25:29-30
Esau Sells His Birthright

29 Now Jacob cooked a savory stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.” Therefore his name was called Edom.

PM Summer said...

Reverend Sam should have focused on this text from Leviticus:

Leviticus 1:13, 17
13 He is to wash the inner parts and the legs with water, and the priest is to bring all of it and burn it on the altar. It is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to the LORD. 17 ...and then the priest shall burn it on the wood that is on the fire on the altar. It is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to the LORD.

Lisa Fain (Homesick Texan) said...

I always suspected BBQ was a religion and now we have proof.

DISCLAIMER:

Each joint is judged on the essence of Texas 'cue...sliced brisket and pork ribs. Sausage is only considered if house made. Sauce is good, but good meat needs no adornment to satisfy. Each review can only be based on specific cuts of meat on that particular day. Finally, if the place fries up catfish or serves a caesar salad, then chances are they aren't paying enough attention to the pits, so we mostly steered clear.

-THE PROPHETS OF SMOKED MEAT