Proverbs 9:5 [ESV] Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.
It’s impossible for me to read this scripture in the Old Testament and not be transported to the last supper scene in the New Testament. I question myself, how do I take the sacraments, perhaps at times a little too much routine, too laid back, too religious?
I want to step into that whole-hearted devouring, a full giving of myself to the moment.
I remember taking communion in Honduras amongst the villagers, the poorest of the poor, they were working long days every day to grow rice and beans and just enough to live on. We were surrounded by needs, by desperate situations, by loss and pain, and the simple joys of morning literally home-made coffee at 4am. Prayer was everything, not a nice addition, communion was desperate as we had a heightened awareness that we needed God for our existence, our safety (so many armed bandits in the mountains, snakes on the paths, and illness in the water) and of course our spiritual hope.
KNOWLEDGE
It seems to me there is an intensity, and intentionality about this scripture – we are called here to go to war, to enter fully into a battle, and so, to recognise the reality of what we are in – a battle for our eternal souls. It’s not a snack we are coming for, or a nice laid back meal with friends – even though that also is part of the journey. This moment though, is a response to direction and wisdom from on high, from heaven. Bring all you have, be fully engaged, every minute of every day realise the battle is on and step in like you really mean it. There is no room for half-heartedness, for mild commitment, for one foot in and one foot out. This is a place that requires everything – just as if it was a war.
UNDERSTANDING
Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live?
The word translated as “eat” here, is from the Hebrew word pronounced as “laham” which has the literal meaning of “to fight against, to attack, to battle”. In Deut 32:24 it is translated to “devoured” and in 2 Kings 16:5 as “conquer”.
In the LXX the word used is φάγετε [phagete] which appears once ion the New testament – in Matt 26:26 “…take, eat, this is my body.”
WISDOM
Responding to the first word here is in itself wisdom – just to draw nearer, to come closer, to draw in to the living word.
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Relator is a beautiful Gallup Strength, where there is a desire to go deeper, to grow together in real trust and deep understanding. Don’t lose sight of others needs on the journey.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version –
Come – make this your lifestyle
eat – devouring
of my bread – my bread
and drink of – and drink
the wine – my wine
I have mixed – with my ingredients
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Help me to acknowldege your body broken and your blood spilled each day.
To chat to me as a professional coach/mentor – allan@theallankey.com
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