DELIGHTING IN FATNESS

"Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness." (Isaiah 55:2)

UNTIL THE ENTHRONEMENT OF "the Man Christ Jesus" on the right hand of God, relatively few people found any true enjoyment in the Lord. With the exception of David, precious few people were ever joyful before the God of heaven. Occasionally, when some great deliverance took place, the people of God would be joyful (1 Kgs 1:40; 1 Chron 12:40; 2 Chron 30:26; Ezra 3:12)–but they were few and far between. For the masses, fear dominated them as they sensed they were contrary to God in their basic natures. The Spirit says of those times and people, "who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage" (Heb 2:15). The word dominating the people was, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezek 18:4,20). The Law stated it this way, "Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them" (Deut 27:6; Jer 11:3; Gal 3:10). This condition was not pleasing to God. In fact, He declared curses would pursue and overtake them "Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things" (Deut 28:47). But, a better day was coming!

FROM THE BEGINNING, God had determined He would have a people who would serve Him with gladness. The removal of sin and the opening of the way to Himself would be conducive to a joyful disposition. Religion would no longer be a burden, nor would men be content to merely dabble in things pertaining to God. In the Kingdom of His Son, a quest for fulness would be realized.

ISAIAH SPOKE OF THE DAYS of the New Covenant with glowing words. They would be a time of unparalleled satisfaction and joy. Hear the invitation of the Lord. "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price" (Isa 55:1). Thus one of the great incongruities of our condition would be resolved. Deep within man, though stifled by sin and guilt, there was a deep longing. Yet, there also was a fear that kept men from coming close to God. Now, the call goes out to thirsty souls–to those longing for rich things.

THE CALL IS TO "EVERYONE" who thirsts, or longs, desires, or yearns. Although sin has blasted our race, removing all lasting satisfaction from us, the thirst remains. Now God speaks of "waters"–the source of satisfaction, and the real substance for which the soul pants. Even though men have no resources, and are unable to purchase these much coveted waters, they can come anyway. The invitation is to "he that hath no money." The thing that qualifies one for the waters is thirst itself. Everyone who has the thirst may come, even though they have no resources.

BUT THERE IS MORE THAN WATER. The invitation is to something rich–"wine and milk"–and both can be bought "without money and without price." This speaks of rich spiritual delicacies that go far beyond mere need.

GOD THEN CHALLENGES men to ponder why they waste their resources and efforts on things that bring no lasting satisfaction: "Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not?" There is no acceptable answer the question! It is designed to awaken the soul to better things.

THE DIVINE WORD is that we can "eat what is good," and let our soul "delight itself in fatness." Here, with the Lord, excess is in order, and diets are out of order. In Christ Jesus, the more we have, the more joyful we are. The more robust our appetite, the greater our delight. The more we imbibe of the Lord, the more gladness fills our heart. That is the nature of life in Christ Jesus.

THOSE WHO ARE WILLING to settle for a mere sampling of heavenly things are in a dangerous situation. They are sitting at a bountiful table, spread for them by the great God of heaven, and merely nibbling in His presence. Let them seek the delight that comes from "fatness."

– Given O. Blakely