Searching the internet gives dozens of sites listing ‘the’ way to happiness. The number of paths ranged from a single way to three, four, ten, twelve and fifty-two. A few are duplicates but some are quite unique. It also seems there are multiple levels to be attained: authentic, esoteric, existential, positivity, biological/chemical, compensational and more. But… just how satisfying is the result? Does this happiness endure or is it as fleeting as the moment producing it?
In our journey through the Bible, we have come to that time when the Lᴏʀᴅ–because He values Israel so much–is sending into Babylonian Captivity for seventy years. This is not out of reprisal for their love for other gods as much as to draw them back to Himself.
He gives an analogy comparing Judah to good figs He cherishes and seeks to bring back into the pleasantness of relationship with Himself:
The Lᴏʀᴅ’s long vision for His people looks beyond the next seventy years, fixing upon the outcome, the drawing back to Himself, them relinquishing the gods of the nations they have worshiped. God clearly wants the full relationship of His people with Him and doesn’t want divided allegiance between Himself and idols. Singularity is foundational and God takes the initiative to make the way, to give them what they need to draw near to Him:
Do you need to get closer to God with your whole heart? Have you been through enough struggle to recognize how much you need to be nearer to God with all your body, soul and spirit? He is always waiting to draw you closer. If—you are willing.
[backstory: my first dozen years were in the Bay Area of California and I attest that tree-ripened, fresh, local, home-grown figs are remarkably desirable. But past prime, they are foul]