What does "Jeshurun grew fat and kicked" reveal about Israel's spiritual condition? Setting the Scene • Deuteronomy 32 records Moses’ song just before his death. • Verse 15 pinpoints the turning point in Israel’s relationship with God: “But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked—becoming fat, bloated, and sleek—he abandoned the God who made him and scorned the Rock of his salvation.” (Deuteronomy 32:15) Understanding “Jeshurun” • “Jeshurun” is a poetic name for Israel (Deuteronomy 33:5, 26). • It means “upright one,” highlighting Israel’s calling to holiness. • Moses uses the name ironically: the “upright” nation becomes self-indulgent and rebellious. What “Grew Fat and Kicked” Reveals 1. Material Prosperity Turned Spiritual Liability • “Grew fat” pictures abundance—a nation blessed with land, harvests, and peace. • Instead of gratitude, prosperity bred complacency and pride. 2. Rejection of Divine Authority • “Kicked” evokes an ox lashing out at the owner who feeds it. • Israel spurned the very God who had rescued and sustained them. 3. Abandonment and Contempt • The verse states bluntly: “he abandoned the God who made him and scorned the Rock of his salvation.” • What began as ingratitude escalated into open disdain. Indicators of Spiritual Decline • Forgetfulness—God’s past acts no longer stirred the heart (Deuteronomy 32:18). • Idolatry—“They sacrificed to demons, not to God” (Deuteronomy 32:17). • Moral laxity—prosperity eroded dependence on the Lord (Deuteronomy 31:20). A Pattern Seen Elsewhere in Scripture • Hosea 13:6: “When they were filled, they became proud; therefore they forgot Me.” • Psalm 106:13-15: Israel “soon forgot His works… He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul.” • Revelation 3:17: the Laodicean church—materially rich, spiritually impoverished. • Proverbs 30:8-9 warns that excess can lead to saying, “Who is the LORD?” Implications for Believers Today • Blessings require vigilance; abundance can dull spiritual hunger. • Pride is the root sin—self-sufficiency replaces childlike trust. • True prosperity is measured by faithfulness, not comfort. • Continuous remembrance—regular recounting of God’s acts—guards the heart (Psalm 103:2). The Path Back • God’s covenant mercy always invites repentance (Deuteronomy 32:36). • Renewal comes through remembering, confessing, and returning to “the Rock of salvation” (1 John 1:9; Deuteronomy 32:4). |
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