ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

Sapate Me 28, 2023

Wheat, Kidneys, and Fat  חלב 

UITE, KOFUUA MO E NGAKO

DEUTERONOMY 32:13-14

[GOD] MADE [ISRAEL] RIDE ON THE HIGH PLACES OF THE LAND, AND HE ATE THE PRODUCE OF THE FIELD, AND HE SUCKLED HIM WITH HONEY OUT OF THE ROCK, AND OIL OUT OF THE FLINTY ROCK. CURDS FROM THE HERD, AND MILK FROM THE FLOCK, WITH FAT OF LAMBS, RAMS OF BASHAN AND GOATS, WITH THE VERY FINEST OF THE WHEAT-AND YOU DRANK FOAMING WINE MADE FROM THE BLOOD OF THE GRAPE. 

TEUTALONOME 32:13-14

13 Na‘a ne tuku ke ne fakateka ‘ene sāliote ‘I he ngaahi potu mā‘olunga ‘o e fonua, Pea ne kai ‘a e tupu ‘o e ngoue‘anga; Pea ne tuku ke ne misi honi mei he makatu‘u, Mo e lolo mei he maka hangē ha makahunu; 14 ‘a e pota ‘o e pulu, mo e huhu‘a ‘o e sipi, Mo e ngako ‘o e fanga lami, Mo e sipi tangata faka-Pēsani, mo e fanga kosi, Mo e ‘elito‘i uite; Pea mei he toto ‘o e kālepi na‘a ke inu uaine.

Fat has a bad reputation in western cultures. Not so in Israel. The chelev ("fat") of something is the best and finest part. For instance, "the very finest of the wheat" is literally the "fat of the kidneys of wheat." Pharaoh also tells Joseph that his family "shall eat the “chelev of the land" of Egypt (Gen. 45:18). Even in some modern societies, which, like Israel, regularly suffer through famines, fat is a sign of health and well-being. 

There are a few negative uses of fat in the OT ("fat hearts" = callousness in Ps. 17:10), but most are positive. In the biblical world, having a few extra inches on your waistline was not a reason for dieting but for dancing. So smile and thank God you have food on your table. And rejoice that one fine day we'll dine and enjoy desserts at the fat-laden, wine-rich wedding feast of the Lamb.

All praise to you, O Lord, for daily bread, daily delights, and the delicious food you provide for us.