A few years back a book came out entitled “Let Them Eat Dirt!” As a grandparent I was intrigue by the scientific evidence that proved that my style of grand parenting was right. Kids need to get dirty and have fun! But the book also claims that getting dirty is beneficial to their health.
In the 150 years since we discovered that microbes cause infectious diseases, we’ve battled to keep them at bay. But a recent explosion of scientific knowledge has led to undeniable evidence that early exposure to these organisms is beneficial to our children’s well-being. It turns out that our current emphasis on hyper-cleanliness and poor diets are taking a toll on our children’s lifelong health. (letthemeatdirt.com)
I was reminded of this book when I came across Lamentations 3:29, “He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope.” Or “let them eat dirt” as they wait expectantly on help.
In regard to this verse, Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers says, “The outward image is that of the prostration of an Eastern subject before a king: his very face laid in the dust, so that he cannot speak.”
Here is a picture of a person who yields to God’s yoke and accepts affliction without complaining. He bows his face into the dirt so that he cannot speak, showing his humility and submission to God. He knows that his only help and hope is God and he waits on God who always acts according to His love and mercy. In Lamentations 3:25 we read “The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.”
The Lord is good! Let us wait and hope in what God has promised. Afflictions will come and the yoke is heavy but God’s love is never ending and fresh every morning (vs. 23,24). Let us not complain or murmur. But let us bow before our God, knowing He loves us!
Apparently it is good for God’s children to “eat dirt” also!