21/08/2024
ERI 2024 DAY 4
LESSON FOURHOW TO PREPARED A TABLE FOR HIS COMING. PSALM 23:5
We are saved by Hope and Hope will not make us ashamed because it is well grounded. It is the duty of Christians to encourage themselves in the LORD, their God as we are here directed to take that encouragement both from the relation wherein He stands to us and from the experience we have had of his goodness according to that relation.
Table the earliest scriptural mention (Jud.1:7; 2 Sam.9:7; I King2:7; 4:27, 10:5, 18:19. C.P I Kg.13:20). Table generally sat on short legs, allowing one to oat sitting or reclined on a rug (Isa.21:5, Jud.1:7) Table also for meet the kings to rummage underneath C.P.Mk.7:28.
In the New Testament time guest ate while reclining on couches, supporting their heads with their left hands and eating from a common bowl with their right. This practice explains a woman’s standing at Jesus feet (Lk.7:38) and the beloved disciple’s position at Jesus breast (Jh.13:23) during meals.
RITUAL TABLES. A table for the bread of the presence formed part of the furnishings for both the Tabernacle Exo.25:23-30; 26:35; Lev.24:5-7) and Temple (I king 7:48). Another table were used in sacrificial cult (I Chro.28:14-16; 2 Chro.4:7; Ezek. 40:38-43; Malach.1:7, 12), dec=scribes the altar itself as a table. To share in a god’s table was an act of worship (Isa.65:11; and I Cor. 10:2) refers to idolatries worship. In the content of our discussion, I will discuss The LORD Table (I Cor.10:21; Exo.29:45; I Cor.3:16 refers to the observance of the LORD Supper.
Other forms of Table include: Money. Table: The money chargers’ table were small trays on stands Matt.21:12; Mk.11:15; John 2:15. The Table of Law (Exo.24:12, 31:18; Dt.9:9).
PREPARING A TABLE FOR THE KING OF GLORY
In setting up a table for a guest, the preparation depends on the nature, attributes, post held and relevance’s of the guest. Not all your guest can be kept in just any table this would amount to dishonouring of such people and such guest may not be pleased with you.
Now our guest here, is the King of Glory seeking permission to visit us, come into His abode, dine and wine with us. A table prepared for such the only most cherishable, most high, most excellent, most benefitting august visitor needs to be prepared in a special way. The best of the best materials would be used in beautifying the venue. For His majesty is in comparable and incompatible to none. There is no language or words to express or explain this glorious experience of partaking in His glory.Psalmist was highly excited when He caught up the vision of the LORD’S Glory, that is the weight importance and shinning majesty that accompany God’s presence is so awesome. The word Glory comes from the Hebrew word KAVOD meaning Heavy in weight. (I Sam. 4:21-22, 27:3; Isa.17:3; Prov.4:8). This is so much something someone bestows on another as a quality of importance that a person, group or nation has and which another recognizes. To give glory is to praise, to recognise the importance of another, the weight the other comes in the community. In the psalms people gave such glory to God. They recognised the essential nature of His “goodness” that gives Him importance and weight in relationship to the human worshipping community (Ps.22:23; 86:12) At times God creates glory for Himself (Exo.14:17:17; Ezek28:22). God reveals His glory in His just dealings with humans. He also reveals it in the storms and events of nature (Ps.29 C.P. Isa. 6) Glory is that side of God which humans recognizes and to which humans respond in confession, worship and praise (C.P Isa. 58.8, 60:1). The greatest revelation of divine glory in the Old Testament came on Mount Sinai (Dt.5:24; Exo.19:19l Jud.13:22; Dt. 4:33) such experiences are awesome and fearful (Dt.5:25) although such revelation does not reveal all of God (Exo.33:17-23) in the New Testament DOXA was used to express glory and limit the meaning to God’s glory. In classical Greek doxa means, opinion, conjecture, expectation and then praise. It illustrates divine power and majesty (Acts.7:2; 2Pet.1:17). The New Testament extends this to Christ as having divine Glory (Lk.9:32; Jh.1:14; ICor.2:8; 2 Thess. 2:14).
Divine Glory means that Humans do not seek glory for themselves (Matt.6:2; Jh.5:44; IThess.2:16). They only look to receive praise and honour from Christ (Rom.2:7; 5:2; IThess.2:19; Ph.2:16).
The Table in this content means your HEARTS, that need to be set on the LORD always, your mind set setting on Christ at the expense of the world system (Ps.49:8). A steadfast heart God desire from you (Ps.51:10,62:1,5,63:8)
A prayer to have an heart to know God always is another way of preparing oneself for the King of Glory to comes in (Jer.24:7; Acts.10, Dt.30:6; Jer.30:22; Ezek.11:20; Jer.29:13). Your salvation begins from your heart (ROM.10:9-11). Serving God in with a pure heart is the most reasonable and acceptable ways to God (2Cor.4:7; ITim.2:22; I Tim.1:5). We must know the convectional ways of serving God (Dt.6:20; Exo.13:14)
A life of total separation to God is much needed, as the Temple of the Living God, don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can goodness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with unbeliever? And what union can there be between God’s Temple and idols? For we are the Temple of the Living God. As God said, I will be their God and they will be my people.
Therefore, come out from and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their things and I will welcome you. And I will be your Father and you will e my sons and daughters says the LORD ALMIGHTY (2 Cor. 14:6-14).
The King of kings, Immortal, Invisible, Eternal, the King of Glory will come and reside with the Table that are ready for Him (I Tim. 1:17; Ps.10:16; Rom.1:23; 16:27; John1:18; IChro.29:11).