Fear No Fear

“Be not desirous of his delicacies, for they are deceptive food.” (Proverbs 23:3). This word for ‘delicacies’ appears in this verse and in verse 6 of this chapter where it is also warning against ‘delicacies’. It refers to food eaten as a treat. Specially prepared. Food that imparts pleasure and enjoyment when eating it. The warning is to not be deceived by food. To not let food decide who you fellowship with or what you do. Basically, not to lust after food more than you desire wisdom. Lust is a bad thing in any area. Interestingly, other than these two verses, this word ONLY appears in Genesis 27. There Isaac refers to it and makes it THE condition for Esau to be blessed. He had no business trying to bless Esau with this particular blessing because the Lord had already determined who would get it (Genesis 25:23). Making food a condition to get blessed (instead of just blessing and then asking for food), Isaac gave opportunity for the deceit that caused so much turmoil and strife – breaking up the family. It truly was deceptive food. Adam and Eve got tempted with food as the red herring. Jesus was tempted with food as the red herring. Gluttony is so prevalent within the selfish flesh that it is written it is better to slit your own throat than to give into it (Proverbs 23:2). It opens the doors to so much strife it is to be avoided. Now more than ever. Look around at our fast good culture. Our enormous portions. And our lack of self restraint. When it comes to food, ask for wisdom. We cannot always see the hooks before they’re set in our flesh.