At the table

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

AT THE TABLE

Prov 23:1-3

When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, 2 and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. 3 Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.

NIV

We have witnessed such a sin of gluttony from ladies who did think themselves more refined then their eating did reveal. A banquet table full of all sorts of delicacies devoured in a fashion as a feeding frenzy of sharks. It would appear these fine ladies and some gentlemen had been starving to death at home. This is the meaning of this saying. When in public, especially when invited to someone’s party, dine with dignity. There is something about eating food that is deceptive. That is many times at events where delicacies are presented for our pleasure, they may well be things our bodies are not accustomed to and a rather uncomfortable condition results. The food all looks so delicious and we are tempted to gobble it up. But watch out, it might have a negative effect both on our bodies and our reputation. We must remember we are always representing Christ, especially when dining in the assembly of unbelievers. This would also include the over indulgence of adult beverage as well as food. People are watching us, especially if we have been vocal regarding our faith. Now should we remain silent about our faith and simply live like an unbeliever, it might not matter if we appear to be one of those sharks in a feeding frenzy. But still do not polite manners matters, even to the unbeliever? What if they find out we are believers, and even become a believer, then recall our behavior at that affair. We have taught them well how believers behave in public. No, we should always be aware who we are dining with. Note well what or who is before us and put a knife to our throat is we are given to gluttony. Polite manners should always be our guidepost, eat our full at home, but modestly in public or group events. Now on the spiritual side of this truth. The word of God is food for our soul, or spirit. The prince of this world has set before us find delicacies to tempt us to gorge ourselves upon. The delicacies can be defined a savory meat, which would be anything other than the word of God. This could be the wisdom or intellectual knowledge of this world. It could be materialism, or security. It could be sensual in nature, physical. This could appear in the form of lust or the constant pursuit for a more youthful skin, or appearance. Our preoccupation with beauty or form. It is not we should abandon the temple of the Holy Spirit, sending into ruin. But to be preoccupied with the temptations of this world, gorging ourselves upon them, for our body, when we have food enough in the word of God for our souls, is simply foolishness. We must remember who it is we are at the table with. Are we at the table of the world, or at the table with our Lord?