Deuteronomy 32:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Consider how precisely the prophet conveyed the unbridled nature of the Jews; he did not merely state that they had rejected the yoke but emphasized that they had shattered it. This reflects a deficiency typical of animals that are zealous, uncontrolled, and intolerant of authority. But what is the source of this cruelty? It stems from excess and indulgence. Who, then, references this?

Rather than expressing gratitude to the Lord for the blessings bestowed upon them, Israel turned away from and scorned the God who had granted them inheritance among all peoples.

Jacob feasted and was satisfied with divine blessings, being bestowed with the prophetic insight into the incarnation of the Son of God. The Beloved grew obstinate and became spiritually dull and bloated, turning away from the God who created him and abandoning the God who had delivered him from Pharaoh's grasp and from peril in the Red Sea. They also rejected Him when confronted by Pilate, crying out, “Take, take! Crucify, crucify!” (John 19:6).

Excessive eating obstructs reverence for God, as illustrated by the Israelites who became 'thickened, swollen, and forsook God their Maker, and departed from God their Savior.' Similarly, the Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Philippians describes those whose 'god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame' (Phil. 3:19) as adversaries of the Cross. Gluttony poses particular danger for the youth, whose fervent passions can lead their vulnerable bodies to become like 'the furnace of Babylon.' Hence, it is advisable to develop the habit of consuming food once daily; this practice will render your body more agile, improve your health, and purify your mind for spiritual deliberation. Yet, even in this regimen, one should refrain from excessive intake. According to St.

A spiritual individual, when indulgent, can become disconnected from their spirituality, diminishing their capacity to know and serve God. The Holy Scripture notes, "Jacob was eaten," referring to Jacob as a genuine servant of God, "and was satiated, and denied the beloved. Thicken, thicken, widen: and forsake God who created him, and depart from God his Saviour." In such moments, ascetics may encounter difficulties when they stray from their practices of fasting. Weakness and despondency, influenced by excessive and unrestrained consumption, gradually transfer from the body to the heart, and then from the heart to the mind.

In moments of hardship, some may believe that their capacity to honor God would be greater during times of abundance, leading them to conclude that their current struggles are of no real advantage. Such thoughts are misguided. We often assume, as the saying goes, that the grass is greener on the other side, yet this very saying casts doubt on that notion. You may believe that you would exalt God if your circumstances were different and you were instead recipients of His blessings, perhaps because that praise seems easier. Even animals show affection to those who feed them; is it truly virtuous to respond in kind? It appears you undervalue the higher virtues that demand greater effort!