Proverbs 23
When you sit down to dine with a ruler, consider carefully what is before you,
And put a knife to your throat if you are a man of great appetite.
Do not desire his delicacies, for it is deceptive food. v1-3
Do not eat the bread of a selfish man, or desire his delicacies;
For as he thinks within himself, so he is.
He says to you, “Eat and drink!” but his heart is not with you.
You will vomit up the morsel you have eaten, and waste your compliments. v6-8
Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup,
When it goes down smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent and stings like a viper.
Your eyes will see strange things and your mind will utter perverse things.
And you will be like one who lies down in the middle of the sea,
Or like one who lies down on the top of a mast.
“They struck me, but I did not become ill;
They beat me, but I did not know it. When shall I awake?
I will seek another drink.” v31-35
We had rules at the dinner table. No playing with your food, mind your manners, and no laughing. I remember getting sent into the living room by my dad for laughing too much. In this collection of proverbs we learn how to mind our manners. Consider who you are eating with. Rulers may have alternative motives. Selfish people don’t really care about you. Avoid alcohol. Great advice.
Do I enjoy the people I eat and drink with? Is there genuine affection or am I trying to impress anyone?
God, I look forward to sitting down and dining with Jesus. Thank you Lord Jesus for your invitation… “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me”. Revelation 3:20
