Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil and choose the good—the child's sustenance and maturation suggest a period of growth and development. The statement of what he eats is sometimes interpreted as either simplicity (country food) or abundance (the good products of the land); the context suggests God's provision will be present. The phrase about knowing to refuse evil and choose good suggests moral development and training; the child will grow in wisdom and discernment. This verse emphasizes the humanity of the promised child; he will grow, mature, and develop as humans do. The focus on moral development and choice suggests that the promised one will have genuine human agency and will exercise it toward righteousness.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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