08/21/2013 FLAX
Joshua 2: 2-6 The king of Jericho was told, "Look! Some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land." So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab; "Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land." But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, "Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, the men left. I don't know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them. (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.) [Living Bible translation]
Flax: A plant of the genus Linum that is cultivated for its seeds and for the fibers of its stem.
Rahab: In Hebrew ("rachav" i.e., "broad" or "large") see www.wikepedia.org.
One of the primary uses of flax in biblical times was to make linen. The word "linen" means "cloth from woven flax" or "made of flax." See, www.etymonline.com. Linen was used as a burial cloth in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs. The mummification cloth was flax seed cloth or linen wrapped many times over the body. Fine linen was also worn by the elite in biblical times. Because it was worn by the wealthy, fine linen was a valuable commodity. This may have been one of the reasons why Rahab, a (business) woman from Jericho who ran a "house" (King James translation) or "inn" (Living Bible translation) and who was called a harlot/prostitute, had flax drying on her roof. When the stacks of flax were woven into fine linen, this would have been a great source of wealth and income. But Rehab willingly risked it all---she was willing to give it all up---the house, the linen income, her life—everything she had on her faith and belief that something better was coming. The stacks of drying flax on the roof no longer represented Rahab's future (i.e., her 401K plan) For Rahab, the flax was just an excellent place to conceal the Jewish spies from the King of Jericho so that she could step into her future. Rahab acted on faith that the GOD, who could open up the Red Sea for these Israelites and who defeated mortal kings, was the SUPREME GOD. (See, Joshua 2:11) Rather than fear what the King of Jericho would do to her or try to protect the flax, Rahab held onto her faith in GOD. In the city of Jericho, people may have counted Rahab "out" or considered her "low" in terms of "social" status and importance, but Rahab's faith proved all of them wrong. In the end, Rahab, the Jericho Gentile, the "broad" ended up in the genealogy of Jesus Christ and even received a place in the biblical "Faith Hall of Fame!" See, Matt 1:5 and Hebrews 11:31
Flax Seed
Flax seeds and flax seed oil/linseed oil are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. In addition, flax seed is also a source of manganese, fiber, magnesium, folate, cooper, phosphorus, and Vitamin B. See, www.whfoods.com. According to www.whfoods.com:
Omega-3 fats are used to produce substances that reduce the formation of blood clots, which can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients with atherosclerosis or diabetic heart disease.
Omega-3 fats are also needed to produce flexible cell membranes. Cell membranes are the cell's gatekeepers, allowing in needed nutrients while promoting the elimination of wastes. While important for everyone, flexible cell membranes are critical for persons with diabetes since flexible cell membranes are much better able to respond to insulin and to absorb glucose than the stiff membranes that result when the diet is high in saturated and/or hydrogenated (trans-) fats. In the colon, omega-3 fats help protect colon cells from cancer-causing toxins and free radicals, leading to a reduced risk for colon cancer.
Www.whofoods.com also cites one study where flax seed was used to reduce hot flashes:
Researchers recruited 29 postmenopausal women who had suffered from at least 14 hot flushes each week for at least one month, but would not take estrogen because of a perceived increased risk of breast cancer. After taking 40 grams (1.4 ounces) of crushed flaxseed each day for six weeks, the frequency of hot flashes decreased 50%, and the overall hot flash score decreased an average 57% for the 21 women who completed the trial. J Soc Integr Oncol. 2007 Summer;5(3):106-12.
However, www.Mayoclinic.com, states that "although omega-3 fatty acids have been associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes, evidence from human trials is mixed regarding the efficacy of flaxseed products for coronary artery disease or hyperlipidemia."
Mayoclinic.com also suggests that flax seed oil may not possess all of the properties of the flax seeds themselves.
[O]ral flaxseed (not flaxseed oil) may possess laxative properties, although only one human trial has been conducted for this indication. In large doses, or when taken with inadequate water, flaxseed may precipitate bowel obstruction via a mass effect.
Flaxseed oil contains oil the alpha-linolenic acid component of flaxseed, and not the fiber or lignin components. Therefore, flaxseed oil may share the purported lipid-lowering properties of flaxseed, but not the proposed laxative or anti-cancer abilities.
See www.mayoclinic.com. So drink water when ingesting individual flaxseeds. As always, if you have a health condition, you are pregnant or you are concerned about whether a particular food is right for you or want advice about how much of a particular food you should ingest, be sure to consult your personal physician. Some of the ways to eat flax seeds include, sprinkling ground flax seed over a green salad; adding ground flax seeds to fruit smoothies (the ones you make yourself) or adding ground flax seed to a fruit salad. On non-raw foods days, ground flax seed can be added to soup or oatmeal, it can be added to muffins, bread, yogurt or eaten with other foods.
FLAX and FAITH
"Stepping into your future" is not about the flax, it is about faith. Whether you try a flax product or eat some other raw food, healthy living is about faith. Eating raw, eating right, eating the right amount and prayer itself are all about faith—faith that GOD will give each of us the wisdom and strength to treat our bodies like "holy temples." It is about the faith that our collective "body" and each of us individually, can offer prayers for one another and for ourselves to a GOD WHO answers prayer and who is able to transform each of us and those around us too. So, let us ask GOD to show us what to give up, what to hang onto and then let us act in faith, like Rahab. We too can go from negativity, whether it is comes from within or from without, to victory!
Enjoy the day, have large (Rahab) faith, and BE a Blessing!