Oh, if we all could live in a world of “milk and honey.” Everyone knows what that phrase means—a land of no cares, a land of plenty and easy living. In this present era of ever-increasing piles of wealth and a shrinking middle class, most would be content with just that.

However, just where did this phrase come from—“milk and honey”? Way, way back in the Old Testament. Today, several millennia later, it is a phrase still in common usage. Etymology (the study of the origin of words) and idioms can reveal fascinating connections with ancient societies.

The phrase “milk and honey” first appears in Exodus 3:8, where Lord Jehovah says to Moses:

“So I have come down to rescue them [my people] from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.”

Jehovah had revealed to Abraham much earlier (and many times) that he would possess the land of Canaan and “All the land that you see” (Genesis 13:15). This land was promised by Jehovah to be given to Abraham and his descendants “forever” and for “everlasting” (Genesis 17:8).

However, the first time that the phrase “milk and honey” appears in the Bible, was in a revelation and reminder to Moses that this Promised Land was full of great bounty. It could be supposed that since Abraham had lived in this land, that there was no need to promise him “milk and honey.” He would have known this to be the case. Moses, many years later, may have needed the incentive of “milk and honey”—a carrot on a stick, so to speak—to entice the Hebrews to leave Egypt and embark on the Exodus to this new Promised Land.

It is surely significant that the phrase “milk and honey” appears exactly 21 times (three times seven) in the Old Testament. It certainly is a promise that will be kept by God Himself (as it has yet to occur fully).

A Land of Excess

Throughout history, mankind has been busily boosting economic growth through various means and productivity gains. Growth of economic output (what we today popularly call Gross Domestic Product or GDP) has become a most important geopolitical measure of wealth and the key indicator of so-called “human progress.” It is the underlying essence of humanism. As such, today we live in an era where many countries suffer from excesses … not shortages. Why?

There is too much supply and not enough demand. In fact, in many countries it is easier to buy something than to sell. Indeed, there are parts of the world where buying is more difficult than selling and where there are shortages of food. This need not be the case in our day. Greed, corruption, kleptocracy and human strife, whether by war or political competition, are the root causes in such cases.

Nevertheless, it would be valid to state that industrialization and the profit motive imbedded in the pursuit of commerce and trade have created a world of surplus with respect to consumer goods and calories. There are many proofs. Most certainly with respect to “an excess of calories,” a worldwide epidemic of obesity (as stated by the World Health Organization) is partial evidence (though in no way wishing to oversimply this complex problem).

The “excess of food” reminds me of an old German fairy tale. As a child, I was exposed to the popular story called “Mecki in Schlaraffenland.” Years later, I located a version translated into English, which I read to my grandkids. As with most old fairy tales (Grimm’s, Wilhelm Busch … etc.), they are considered somewhat too grisly for young kids in our day. In any case, Mecki lives in Schlaraffenland, which is a land of excesses. Milk and honey everywhere … not to mention bacon, cakes and every savory food that one might want to eat.

In this tale, everything from back bacon to roasted chickens fly into one’s mouth if carelessly left open. To be sure, it depicted a hyper-charged land of “milk and honey.”

However, an excess of anything is not ideal. Far from it. The side-effects can include loss of health, addiction, destruction of profitability … etc. We humans indeed have a propensity for large appetites and ambitions, but only limited capacity to fulfill them. Balanced and modest satiation is enjoyable. But excesses—even of tasty and luxury items—lead to trouble.

Overwhelmed by Honey and Milk

Today, believe it or not, the milk and honey industries are suffering from excess supply. Both commodities are being produced in overwhelming volumes. Consider this quote about the milk industry: “If you ever felt like crying over spilled milk, now’s the time. Dairy farmers in the United States have dumped more than 43 million gallons of milk between January and August of 2016. This milk has been poured into fields, manure lagoons, and animal feed, or down the drain at processing plants. According to the Wall Street Journal, this amount of milk is enough to fill 66 Olympic-sized swimming pools and is the most wasted in [the] last 16 years.”1

Apparently, there is so much surplus milk one could literally allow people to bathe in it. Actually, this was a practice of the ultra-wealthy centuries ago. A bath of warm milk promoted soft skin.

“The problem is that the United States is in the midst of a massive dairy glut,” so says the article. There is a similar condition in Europe, which also extends to huge stockpiles of cheese. Canadians, too, even though milk supplies are controlled, have far more capacity than demand.

Believe it or not, the world even suffers from too much honey. (Can there ever be too much of a good thing?) America is indeed overflowing with honey. In Canada, an influx of imported honey from China, Zambia, Vietnam (and other countries) is causing many beekeepers to close shop. The wholesale price of honey has halved in recent years.

The land of “milk and honey” that was in the eye of the ancient Hebrews is today nothing more than a quaint story in our time of excess. There is certainly no shortage of excesses and gluts in North America.

Hoarding versus Flows

As mentioned, excesses can also lead to problems. Consider stockpiling and hoarding. James comments on the end-time appearance of hoarding: “You have hoarded wealth in the last days” (James 5:3 NIV). The KJV uses the phrase “heaped.” Hoarded wealth (which must mean a widening chasm between the “haves and have-nots”) is here clearly cited as a condition of the last days. Stockpiling is repudiated throughout the Bible, where it involves denial of supply or greed. Here, we find a significant connection to the Old Testament’s use of the phrase of “milk and honey.”

But first, we must make an admission. Earlier, I mentioned that the phrase “milk and honey” is found exactly 21 times in the Bible. Actually, this is wrong. To be exact, it is the phrase “a land flowing with milk and honey” (NIV) that appears 21 times. In every instance of “milk and honey” being mentioned, it is in the context of a “land” in which “milk and honey” is “flowing.”

This is significant.

Why? For a number of reasons. However, we want to focus on why the word “flowing” (“floweth” in the KJV) is always included. The word “flowing” implies something being used or active, or being distributed. It is not “stockpiling.” The promised land of “flowing milk and honey” was not to be one of a storehouse of milk and honey. Honey and milk are not being stockpiled or hoarded, but are flowing. They were to be consumed and made available to all.

The Bible promotes flows. Consider that the Lord’s Prayer specifically requests that the Lord “give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). We are not instructed to ask for a larder of bread that will last a month, but rather just for a day. Similarly, we note that the Israelites received manna daily and not in a form that could be stockpiled (with the exception of the second day portion for the Sabbath).

Thoughts to Ponder

Christians are to be “flow people” and not hoarders.

God’s economy is mainly composed of flows, not overstuffed storehouses of idle money. Just as God is love in motion—love lived—so it should be with money. Of course, we need to save for our anticipated needs and to fund the activities of our businesses and livelihoods. However, there comes a point where the act of saving becomes hoarding. In this sense, for the saints, all saving must be done in a spirit of stewardship.

In contrast, the world promotes the spirit of hoarding; the pursuit of earthly wealth as a measure of success; a bulwark of security; to satisfy boasts. Most all of God’s gifts to us, whether the gifts of the Spirit or material resources, are meant for sharing and blessing others through our giving. We ourselves can be the source of “flowing” milk and honey for those in need.

Be a flow-person, not a hoarder.

All Christians (though they may not be “Israelites”) have the symbolic promise of a “land flowing with milk and honey.” Someday, when we all arrive at the New Jerusalem, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:4-5).

For resources on “end-time economics” and to subscribe to the free newsletter, Eternal Value Review, visit Wilfred’s website: www.eternalvalue.com or contact him at: staff@eternalvalue.com

About the Author: Wilfred J. Hahn is a global economist/strategist. Formerly a top-ranked global analyst, research director for a major Wall Street investment bank, and head of Canada’s largest global investment operation, his writings focus on the end-time roles of money, economics and globalization. He has been quoted around the world and his writings reproduced in numerous other publications and languages. His 2002 book The End-time Money Snare: How to Live Free accurately anticipated and prepared its readers for the Global Financial Crisis. His newest book, Global Financial Apocalypse Prophesied: Preserving True Riches in an Age of Deception and Trouble, Looks Further into the Future.

1 http://www.treehugger.com/green-food/43-million-gallons-milk-have-been-dumped-so-far-year.html

 

It is everywhere. It is a substance that finds its way into many food products. No matter what you might eat, it may be laced with a high amount of this condiment. If a restaurant meal tastes good, it is likely that it will have been generously infused with it. High amounts of this substance lurk in fast-food hamburgers to spaghetti sauce and ketchup. Even dog food is sure to be a bigger seller with this ingredient.

The subject is sugar.

Humans are vulnerable to its temptations—even to the point of near addiction and destruction of health.

It is a topic of great scope … a bittersweet geopolitical subject. Firstly, consider that the global proliferation of sugar is a relatively recent phenomenon. In fact, some historians will even claim that the popularization of sugar had a greater political impact upon the world than even petroleum.

Nations have fallen because of it. Wars have been fought over its control and production. During medieval times, when Arabs traded sugar (eventually bringing it to Europe), it is claimed that as a society consuming too much of it, they had become corpulent and therefore vulnerable to overthrow. In more recent times, the expansion of sugar production contributed to enormous migrations of peoples, most sadly and prominently through the slave trade.

The Sugary Past

Sugar didn’t exist commercially as a global commodity until some 300 years ago or so. Historians point to India as being the first producer of sugar, as early as 900 BC. It was a rare and unaffordable substance for thousands of years, used mostly for medical application. As such, the word “sugar” is not even found in the Bible. One of the few links to Bible history—an extra-biblical one—is through Emperor Darius of Persia. (The Bible mentions him 26 times, his reign beginning late in the lifetime of the Prophet Daniel.) It is reported that when Darius invaded India (510 BC), he first encountered sugar cane, which he called “the reed which gives honey without bees.”

Let’s fast-forward to more recent times. By the 17^th and 18^th century, with the establishment of sugar plantations in the West Indies and the Americas, sugar became a massive, profit-generating industry worldwide. This was the first time that sugar was available to the common people, who previously had to rely on honey and fruits to sweeten foods. In the UK, sugar consumption among poorer classes even exceeded that of the wealthy during this time. By the late 19^th century, sugar production in the world was the equivalent of 90 pounds per person per year. A soaring increase in the production of prepared foods (i.e. jams, drinks … etc.) paralleled the growth of sugar production.

Today, the legacies of this industry can still be seen everywhere—mixed populations; the dominance of the Christian-Roman nations in the New World; and a negative health impact upon people today.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that the average person in the world consumes about 24 kilograms (53 lb) of sugar each year (1999). This is equivalent to over 260 food calories per day. Sugar has been linked to obesity, and suspected of, or fully implicated as a cause in the occurrence of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dementia, macular degeneration, and tooth decay. The scientific community continues to debate the health impacts of sugar.

The problems caused by high sugar consumption are not only found in the rich developed nations. Consider that Egyptians today consume so much sugar that nearly a fifth of their population has diabetes. Viewing the vast sweep of history with respect to sugar, we see that what began as a medicine and a luxury good that only the rich could afford, in time became a poison for the entire world due its high over-consumption.

A Sugarless Bible

Sugar is not mentioned in the Bible, as already stated. Natural sugars in the form of honey and fruits were certainly enjoyed in ancient times. Honey was the popular symbol for sweetness. A reference to “honey” is found 62 times in the Bible, providing an indication of its importance.

However, Scripture treats the subject of honey cautiously. What’s more, we find that salt is exalted over honey. Why?

Salt plays more important and foundational roles. For example, the Hebrews were mandated to have salt as part of a grain sacrifice. “Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings” (Leviticus 2:13). Salt also served an important symbolic role, as the Bible mentions a “covenant of salt” (cf. 2 Chronicles 13:5; Numbers 18:19).

Leaving no doubt, the Bible expressly says that salt is good. However, it must be preserved to remain good. Says the Bible: “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness […] it is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out” (Luke 14:34-35). Sugar, by contrast, will not lose its sweetness and tempting properties, no matter what form it may take. It may turn to sticky goo. Put enough of it into a fuel tank, and you will be sure to seize up your car motor.

Of course, sweetness itself is not something to completely reject and not enjoy. After all, God did create the human palate to enjoy sweetness … to enjoy honey. However, sweetness is a taste that needs governing, as it beckons with temptation. It lures … it is loved by creatures far and wide. It then can lead to excess, and also to harm. The Proverbs writer warns: “If you find honey, eat just enough—too much of it, and you will vomit” (Proverbs 25:16).

As such, honey is treated as potentially corrupting in the Bible. Along with yeast, it was not allowed to be presented as a sacrifice or food offering. The Hebrews were instructed: “Every grain offering you bring to the LORD must be made without yeast, for you are not to burn any yeast or honey in a food offering presented to the LORD” (Leviticus 2:11).

Points to Ponder

Sugar has caused atrocious problems and distortions in the world and in human health.

This is also the case in a spiritual sense. How so?

To recall, the Bible favors salt. We are expressly commanded to be the “salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13). That is clear.

Just as clear is that Christians are not to be the “sugar of the world.” We should not preach a “fly-paper” message of God being a “Sugar-Daddy.” In so doing we greatly distort the Bible.

No, we are to “tell it like it is,” speaking the truths of Scripture without any calculated sugar-coating. So many Christians today are apologetic about Scripture. They think that they will make the gospel and the Bible’s truths more palatable by sweetening them up. The salty parts of the gospel are thought to be unpopular …too mouth-puckering … too bitter to swallow. Instead, these are smothered with treacly syrup and perpetual grins and smiles. That can lead to spiritual unhealthiness.

Jesus said: “Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other” (Mark 9:50). His statement can be interpreted to mean that having sugary discourse will not promote peace among the saints. That seems to be an affliction that is evident today in the Church. Too much sugar.

Apostle Paul instructs: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6). He indicates that if we try to season our words with honey, we will lose our ability to provide balanced and truthful Biblical responses. “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20).

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, never sugar-coated His admonitions. He taught with salt. He didn’t slather His indictments against the elites of the Jews with honey. He knew that the stomach can be a master (see Philippians 3:19).

Yet, the Word itself is shown to be sweet, in the sense that it is the most filling and satisfying of all possible things. On at least two occasions, the prophecies and truths of God are shown to be attractively sweet. Both Apostle John and Ezekiel were instructed to eat a scroll.

John says: “I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth […]” (Revelation 10:10; cf. Ezekiel 3:3).

Why is the Word likened with sweetness?

“[…] The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:9-10).

Finally, we are all invited to “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing” (Psalm 34:8-9).

For resources on “endtime economics” and to subscribe to the free newsletter, Eternal Value Review, visit Wilfred’s website www.eternalvalue.com or contact him at: staff@eternalvalue.com

About the Author: Wilfred J. Hahn is a global economist/strategist. Formerly a top-ranked global analyst, research director for a major Wall Street investment bank, and head of Canada’s largest global investment operation, his writings focus on the endtime roles of money, economics and globalization. He has been quoted around the world and his writings reproduced in numerous other publications and languages. His 2002 book The Endtime Money Snare: How to live free accurately anticipated and prepared its readers for the Global Financial Crisis. His newest book, Global Financial Apocalypse Prophesied: Preserving true riches in an age of deception and trouble, looks further into the future.