Beware of Fatness
But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation. —Dt. 32:15
“Jeshurun” was God’s nickname for Israel. It means “the precious one.” But God’s “precious one” got fat and too big for it’s britches.
“Fatness” in the text refers to abundance and prosperity (Dt. 32:14). When Israel entered the promised land after wandering in the wilderness for forty years, she was lean and healthy. But the abundance in the land of milk and honey made her like a fat and thick like a well-fed ox who became unmanageable and “kicked” it’s master. When Jeshuran waxed fat, “THEN he forsook God… This is often the case with God’s people—When they become prosperous, their spirituality wavers and they forget and forsake God. Backsliding seldom starts in adversity. Most of the time it begins with prosperity and abundance. The prophet Jeremiah reminded Israel, “I spake unto thee in thy prosperity; but thou saidst, I will not hear“ (Jer. 22:21).
God warned Israel repeatedly about the dangers of fullness leading to forgetfulness (read Dt. 6:10-12). “Lest when thou…art full…thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God” (Dt. 8:12-14). Every Christian should read Deuteronomy chapter eight on a regular basis to be reminded how blessings can become curses if we are not careful!
Sodom’s downfall was “fullness of bread” (Ezek. 16:49). The rich fool left God out of his plans when his barns were full (Luke 12:15-21). Notice God’s indictment against Israel in Hosea 13:6—“…they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.” Even the church at Laodicea fell into this trap when she said, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” And where was Jesus? He was outside the door of the church! (Rev. 3:17-20)
In my 36 years in the ministry I’ve observed too many Christians who allowed the blessings of God cause them to become “fat and lazy” spiritually—As they prospered materially, their spirituality declined at an equal rate. They were once faithful to all the services and held responsibilities at church, but as they made more money, they gradually dropped their ministries along with their attendance. I’ve seen this scenario happen all too often. Don’t let it happen to you.
Here is a prayer we all should pray regularly: “Feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord?” (Prov. 30:8-9).
Take a warning from Jeshurun! Don’t get fat!
