Eat and drink for tomorrow we die

A while ago I was watching a programme on TV about money and spending, and there was a woman interviewed who justified the large amount that she spent on designer clothes, phones, tablets, etc., by saying "I could be dead tomorrow." The phrase "Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die" is in Isaiah 22, and is followed by God saying that this sin will never be atoned for. Does this mean that God doesn't want us to have fun? Is God anti-party? Should we be sober, sensible and just a little bit sad?


The answer is a clear and obvious NO. Jesus was criticised by religious leaders for eating and drinking. The Bible is full of positive examples of feasts and celebrations. But in Isaiah, the verse about people partying like it's their last day on earth follows on from God commanding them to weep, wail and mourn. Isaiah is writing about the time when Jerusalem is under siege. Much of the book of Isaiah is about what happens when things have gone badly wrong. God's chosen people, who are living in their Promised Land, are going to be defeated in battle and taken off to exile in Babylon. While Isaiah is full of hope for the future, right now things are looking bad. The message of Isaiah's many prophecies against Judah and the nations around is that things have now got so bad that there's no way to avoid disaster. God still loves them, but they've got to take the consequences of their disobedience. 

There is a time to celebrate and to have a good time. But there is also a time to take some time for sober reflection, and to say "Stop. Things have gone far enough." Throwing a party is actually a pretty good use of money. But buying another iPad on credit while the bailiffs are knocking at the door isn't a good idea. Living a life full of celebration and joy is surely something to which we all aspire. But never taking the time to reflect, to make up for the things that have gone wrong, to repent of sin and seek forgiveness: that's not the life we're called to live.