Feasting among foes: Is it biblical?

Although believers are commanded to reach out to others with the gospel of grace (see Matthew 28:16-20 and other spots), the Bible also warns us about shunning outright evil (see Job 1:8 and 28:28, as well as Proverbs 3:7-8 and 14:16). The Apostle Paul exhorted the Corinthian church especially to avoid ongoing association with fellow believers who refused to turn away from obvious sins (see 1 Corinthians 5).

Sometimes it’s a necessity. It may be impossible to break away from such company – at least, for a season.

Maybe it’s a disgruntled roommate. It could be an unpleasant neighbor. It might even be an abusive family member. And the question may not be one of such folks’ own faith or personal conduct (which really isn’t up to us), but of outright hostility to us for our faith or some other reason. It could even be a matter of a certain individual’s own psychological baggage from the past.

And, at least for the moment, we’re stuck in a prolonged period with such a one.

Hey, you probably get it. We’ve just come through the holiday season.

Although December is a month of merriment for many, plenty of people endure unfavorable interactions, especially in extended family gatherings.

Simply put: Life may include times when we cannot help but break bread (or spend time) with those who berate, belittle, browbeat, and betray us. We may have to make nice (even for a while) with those who degrade, disregard, disrespect, or dishonor us.

Today, I’m looking at Psalm 23:5a in a way I never considered it before.

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“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”

Just yesterday, someone lashed out at me for someone else’s minor misstep that apparently represented his own last straw. Hurtful words exceeding even the dreaded F-bombs (Yes, that’s possible.) circled around me. I just happened to be there, in his wake, as words and fragile objects were hurled about.

I’m reluctant to haul off and call someone like that an actual enemy. But the unsolicited attack still hurts. (I cringe every time.) So the verse seems to fit.

Jesus feels our pain. It’s His pain too.

And He feeds us and sustains us, especially in those tough times. He prepares a place for us in His own presence, surrounding us with His acceptance and grace and mercy and love – even while others try to bring us down.

Someday God may call us to shake the sand off our proverbial sandals and walk away from such opposition. But He might not. In the meantime, how far are we willing to loan our cloaks and carry those packs? Can we continue to turn the other cheek, when someone persists in kicking us in the proverbial other-kind-of-cheek?

But we may still have to show up, even if others aren’t willing to grow up.

If we’re wise (and in our best moments of mental clarity and solid discretion), we’ll try hard to hold our peace on certain subjects around those who oppose or assail us. Dogs like to fight over prized items (see Matthew 7:6). So there’s that.

Can we break bread with such folks without being broken beyond repair?

Prisoners of war still eat in their cells, even though their captors lurk by the doors. Maybe, on a much smaller scale, this is sort of the same idea for some of us. And maybe we can turn that notion into intercession for those whose very lives are imperiled in such ways.

God, grant us grace. All of us.

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May 27th - Idolatry to Ignominy

Idolatry to Ignominy

(1 Kings 11)

The Idolatry of Solomon

By Frans Francken, II

1622

Despite his remarkable God-given wisdom, Solomon failed to guard his heart against idolatry. During his reign over Israel, King Solomon allowed his heart to drift into adoration of foreign women, who worshiped idols and false gods.

“[King Solomon] had seven hundred wives of royal birth

and three hundred concubines,

and his wives led him astray.

As Solomon grew old,

his wives turned his heart after other gods,

and his heart was not fully devoted

to the Lord his God,

as the heart of David his father had been.”

(1 Kings 11:4-5, NIV, emphasis added)

Before long, Solomon followed the pagan practices of his many wives. God was not pleased.

“The Lord became angry with Solomon

because his heart had turned away from the Lord,

the God of Israel,

who had appeared to him twice.

Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods,

Solomon did not keep the Lord's command.

So the Lord said to Solomon,

‘Since this is your attitude

and you have not kept My covenant and My decrees,

which I commanded you,

I will most certainly tear the kingdom

away from you

and give it to one of your subordinates.

Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father,

I will not do it during your lifetime.

I will tear it out of the hand of your son.

Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom from him,

but will give him one tribe

for the sake of David

My servant

and for the sake of Jerusalem,

which I have chosen.’"

(1 Kings 11:9-13, NIV, emphasis added)

Although King Solomon enjoyed one of the most prosperous and peaceful kingdoms in human history, his failure to follow the Lord wholeheartedly led to its eventual division.

What idolatrous influences might seek to draw us away from full commitment to the Lord our God? What individuals might we allow in our lives, who might threaten our devotion to the one true God?

A Blessing Preserved

Isn’t it fascinating how the Lord promised to preserve a portion of His holy nation for the sake of Solomon’s faithful father, King David of Israel?

What promise might be contained herein for parents and grandparents of faith? Doesn’t this biblical precedent prompt us to pray faithfully and earnestly for generations that follow us? How might the quality of our own devotion to God actually impact those who will come after us?

Will you pray with me?

Jehovah God,

Only You merit our praise.

You deserve all the glory,

And the honor

And our total worship.

Shine Your light into our lives,

And reveal to us

Any idolatrous influences

We may have permitted

To permeate our thoughts

And our hearts.

Draw us ever nearer to Your heart,

So that we may behold You

As You are.

Amen.

March 23rd - A Scriptural Superhero

A Scriptural Superhero

(Judges 13 – 16)

Samson Slaying the Lion

By Julius Schnorr Von Karolsfeld

From Religion in the Home or Captivating Bible Stories

By Charlotte M. Yonge

1913

Samson the strongman of Israel is the subject of today’s Bible readings. This judge, born with a Nazirite vow, came from the tribe of Dan. Even before his birth, the Lord marked Samson, the son of Manoah of Zorah, for a miraculous calling.

A Powerful Prenatal Program

Like so many special mothers in the Bible (including Sarah, Hannah and Elizabeth), Samson’s mother suffered many years of childlessness. Finally, the Lord’s own angel visited her with an exciting personal message.

Manoah’s wife would bear a son. The angel instructed her to abstain from alcohol and unclean foods throughout the pregnancy (see Judges 13:2-5).

Surely, this child would be special and set apart for the Lord.

The angel reappeared, this time speaking with both Manoah and his wife. They tried to offer him a young goat, as a sacrificial meal, but the angel refused to eat. This affirmed the eternal truth that sacrificial offerings belong only to the Lord God Himself.

A Man of Might

Samson grew up with amazing strength and courage, slaying a lion with his bare hands (see Judges 14:5-9), killing 30 men singlehandedly (see Judges 14:18-20), destroying the Philistines’ fields with 300 foxes and fire (see Judges 15:1-5) and slaying 1,000 Philistine men with the jawbone of a donkey (see Judges 15:14-17).

Throughout the biblical account of Samson’s life, readers can find multiple references to the Holy Spirit of God filling this man with power and might. (see Judges 13:25; 14:6; 14:19; 15:14).

Spilling His Secrets

Still, the strongman possessed a dangerous weakness. His passion for pagan women proved to be his downfall, time and again.

First, he lost his temper when his pagan wife shared the answer to his lion and honey riddle with his wedding guests. After he killed the men of Ashkelon, his bride’s father gave her to another man in marriage (see Judges 14:18-20).

Next, Samson gave in to the false allure of a prostitute in Gaza. In the night, the people surrounded him to attack and kill him. Arising at midnight, Samson tore up the city gate and escaped (see Judges 16:1-3).

Samson and Delilah

By Francesco Morone

16^th Century

The Dangerous Delilah

The Philistines finally wised up to Samson’s weakness, convincing the lovely Delilah to seduce the strongman into divulging the secret of his strength.

Samson held out, giving false leads three times. Finally, Delilah managed to nag the strongman into spilling the truth about his might. Samson confessed his Nazirite vow and the secret of his hair. If his hair were to be cut, his Nazirite vow would be broken, along with his amazing physical strength, which came from the Lord’s own power.

Delilah lulled her lover to sleep, and Samson’s seven braids were cut. The Philistines were able to restrain him, and they blinded him as well. Quite literally, the mighty man lost his vigor and his vision overnight.

A Last Look

The Philistines paraded their prisoner for their own entertainment, as they were gathered to worship their false god.

Tied in the temple, Samson sought the Lord’s power one last time, pulling the pillars from their bases and tearing the entire structure to the ground. All of the Philistine leaders, along with thousands of spectators, were crushed and killed in the rubble.

A Prophetic Picture

Although Samson the strongman was a historical figure, a real flesh-and-bone human that God used to lead His people for two decades, he also provided a prophetic picture of One yet to come, who would lead the Lord’s children forever.

Toppling the pagan temple and destroying the enemies of the Lord’s own people, Samson foreshadowed a long awaited Deliverer. However, this One would not possess any flaw of character. The Savior to come would possess both strength and sinlessness, a true Superhero. His power would not rest in his hair, but in his heart, the very heart of the living God.

Will you pray with me?

Mighty God,

All power

And life comes from You.

How we desire

To be set apart

For You

And equipped

For Your purposes

For our lives.

Teach us to trust You

And to depend upon You daily,

For You are the Source

Of our strength.

Reveal our weakness to us today,

That we may offer it to You

And trust You even more.

We need You

Every moment,

For we can do nothing

Of worth

Without You.

We worship You,

Our Lord and God.

Amen.