Fat and Old — What An Idea!

I wrote yesterday about how old people are not particularly held in high esteem in our culture. In response, one of my readers asked, "What about the fat?" I'd like to respond to the question by opening up my promised meditation upon Psalm 92 and a verse that deals specifically with fat, particularly with believers in the LORD who are both old and fat. Here's the verse:

"They shall still bring forth fruit in old age: they shall be fat and flourishing" (Psalm 92:14)

The KJV, the WEB and the YNG translate the Hebrew word into English as 'fat'. Some of the others prefer to translate, "They will stay fresh and green" (NIV); "they are ever full of sap and green" (ESV).  These translations feel the Hebrew word refers to being fresh and full of sap rather than to that obnoxious modern word fat—yuk! No one wants to be called fat as well as old. Below is an example of how we view such a concept. This is supposed to be funny.

The Hebrew word translated is Dä·shān', a word in Isaiah 30:23 that refers to rich soil that the LORD promises His people who will return from captivity. The "produce of the ground" will be rich (Dä·shān') and plenteous. The word occurs again in Psalm 22 where the sufferings that came upon our LORD Jesus are described in detail. The psalm concludes that as a result the poor and humble, those who seek the LORD, shall eat and be satisfied. These prosperous (Dä·shān') people will worship Him, proclaiming all that He has done to the yet unborn.


Why were the disobedient Israelites brought back to their homeland? Why are the poor and humble to be given food and made prosperous? Because of the grace and mercy of their God. All the sacrifices of the Old Covenant proclaimed this and pointed forward to the final sacrifice made for them and us all upon the cross of Calvary.  The Gospel of Matthew refers to this sacrifice as a fulfillment of what the prophets wrote about. The apostle writes, "Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: "They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots" (Matthew 27:35; Psalm 22:18). 


It is interesting that the Hebrew Dä·shān' is used in its verb form also in Psalm 20:3, "May He (the LORD) remember all your offerings, And accept your burnt sacrifice." And this He has done. The final sacrifice has been made. As Jesus proclaimed, "It is finished" (John 19:30). 


So we return to our psalm and the promise given to the old. They who put their faith in the LORD Jesus and in His completed sacrifice for their sins "shall still bring forth fruit in old age: they shall be fat and flourishing" (Psalm 92:14). That is the promise of our LORD and God. Trust Him. 


And by all means rejoice, especially if the LORD has granted you old age and fatness. Such fat old people will stay "fresh and green, ever full of sap." Even they will continue to produce fruit. That is the promise of our LORD!