What the Bible says about Excess Desire
(From Forerunner Commentary)
This passage describes the wealth, finery, and attitudes of Israelite women as the end nears, and it does not paint a pretty picture (see also Amos 4:1-3). He depicts them as "haughty" and "wanton" with more clothes, jewelry, makeup, and accessories than they know what to do with! Economically, the passage indicates a society of so much wealth and leisure that its women are indulged and free to pursue their desires to excess.
Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Economics in ProphecyRelated Topics: Economics in Prophecy | Excess Desire | Haughtiness of Israelite Women | Living in Excess | Overindulgence | Pursuing Desires to Excess | Self Indulgence
What are the children of wisdom? Good works and good fruit. Whether what we do is wise or foolish is seen in the fruit we bear and in what we accomplish. An alcoholic produces sorrow for himself and his family, battered wives and children, poor health, and a shorter life. A glutton produces a bad example for his family and his brethren, poverty, poor health, and eventually death. We must control our desires because excess desire is the driving force behind gluttony. When we lose control of it, we sin, feeding the god that is in our belly, the god of excess, the god of too much, too fast, too eagerly.
Another interpretation of "wisdom is justified by her children" is that those who follow the wisdom from above recognize and live their lives based on truth. By their example in living wisely and righteously, they justify, prove, that it is the right and reasonable way to live. The way the wise live destroys the credibility of false accusations. Avoiding gluttony is one way to show that we are living in wisdom. The foolish—the opposite of the wise—tend toward gluttony.
Martin G. Collins
Gluttony: Sin of Lust and Greed (Part One)Related Topics: Alcohol Abuse | Alcoholism | Belly as god | Desire | Desire as a Bridgehead to Sin | Excess Desire | Gluttony | Self Control | Sin of Gluttony