When I do
the math God’s economy appears too good to be true for we know that nothing
worth having is free because if something is free it’s got no resale value. The
first hearers of this no money market, the exiles returning from captivity in
Babylon, spent everything they had to come home to bitter wine and sour milk.
Their homes were occupied by strangers, the temple remained in ruins, and the
trees of the field, overgrown by thorns and briers, had stopped clapping a long
time ago. Hopes and dreams of returning unto Zion with everlasting joy had all
been spent on the reality of a land that was less than welcoming and in many
cases downright hostile. The home again exiles, hungry, thirsty and broke had
forgotten what got them home in the first place and that even in its sorry
state being free in Zion was better than being exiles in Babylon. So God speaks
up calling the exiles to the table for a prix fix menu of rich food, fine wine
and fresh milk. But if we think God’s new economy is free we haven’t read the
fine print. No money will be exchanged but getting to the table will take some
effort. The Lord calls all who would come and eat to listen, look and seek and
in so doing return to the hope of the promise by forsaking wicked ways and
unrighteous thoughts. So we too, overwhelmed and underfunded, discouraged and
downhearted, are called to remember God’s higher thoughts and ways inform ours
and not vice versa. In the no money market of God’s economy, we hold on to the
hope that holds us as we trust God is too good not to be true.
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