Why I Felt God Allowed the Eating of Meat After the Great Flood

One of the many things that I started to question was why God allowed man to eat meat after the flood. Were the pre-Flood people vegetarian? The Bible doesn't seem to say but some scholars believe that the pre-Flood times were vegetarian. 

Apologetics Press addresses the issue in this way:

To answer the question, “Were all men prior to the Flood vegetarians?,” one merely can conclude that the Bible reveals God giving instructions only regarding the eating of food made from vegetation prior to the Deluge. God’s Word is conspicuously silent regarding the eating of animals. However, just because God apparently did not authorize man to eat animal flesh before the Flood, does not mean that mankind abided by this regulation. It seems likely that there were some people who went beyond what God allowed, and ate various kinds of animals anyway. It is not difficult to imagine those living just prior to the Flood, whose every thought was evil continually (Genesis 6:5), leaning over a sacrificial sheep, smelling the sweet aroma, and taking a bite out of the lamb’s leg (cf. 1 Samuel 2:12-17).

Some have asked why Adam’s son Abel raised flocks, if he and his descendants were supposed to be vegetarians? Although the Bible does not say exactly why Abel was a “keeper of sheep” (Genesis 4:2), most likely it was because by raising sheep, Abel could provide clothing for himself and others, as well as provide animals that people could get from him to sacrifice to Jehovah. One thing we can know assuredly is that before the Flood, we never read of God granting permission to humans to eat animal flesh. Yet, at least three times prior to the Flood the Bible mentions God authorizing the fruit of the Earth for man’s consumption. Furthermore, Genesis 9:2-3 stresses that after the Flood a vastly different relationship existed between animals and humans. Animals developed a fear of humans, and humanity was permitted to use the flesh of animals for food, “even as the green herbs” were permitted since the beginning of the Creation (9:3; 1:29).

So, Genesis 9:2-3 has God's permission for Noah and his descendants (that includes all of us today) to eat meat. Eventually, Leviticus 11 tells us what kind of meat we can eat and what kind of meat we can't eat. Acts 10:9-16 later tells us that God revoked the ceremonial law concerning meat. So why did God allow us to even eat meat after the flood? Though, it's possible that Abel probably raised sheep for food too. 

Though, I think about the changes of the world, post-Flood. Try to notice how people started to age faster after the Flood. It's believed that the Earth had some kind of canopy (based on Genesis 1:7) that allowed the Earth to have a better quality of air or weather. Try to notice the causes of premature aging. Sunblocks are used to prevent sunburn. Notice that people tend to develop wrinkles under the sun. Damaged skin gets wrinkled. Dinosaurs eventually passed away from a lack of food and climate change caused by the flood. The Earth would've gotten much hotter eventually as a result of a massive change in the environment. That means God was now redesigning the diet to fit with the environment damaged after the worldwide flood.

A bit of study would tell you that humans would need all three food groups. Any dietitian may tell you to eat more vegetables yet they add meat into the food pyramid. Personally, I try to cut down consumption of meat. I enjoy vegetable dishes while I eat meat. I noticed that when I eat a vegetarian snack - I really don't get worried I won't be able to eat dinner. When I eat a vegetarian lunch - I could eat more than I could when meat is served. The eating of meat would get one full faster while vegetables are required to keep one healthy. The healthy formula is less meat, more vegetables. Eating both meat and vegetables would provide better nutrients for the body to process than just going on a plant-based diet alone. 

This is what I'd call God's wisdom. True, God will eventually restore vegetarianism in the Millennial Kingdom (which will be a time of animals at peace) and in the Eternal Kingdom. However, while in this fallen world that's ravaged after the Flood, He gave us provisions by allowing us to eat meat too. Though, one can always have a proper perspective of what meat you shouldn't eat like wild meat (which includes dogs and cats shouldn't be for consumption due to health risks) and pork should be properly handled (which is why I tend to avoid pork). It would be a call for discernment while exercising this limited liberty to eat meat as God allows.