I may be one
of the only people to read passages in the Bible and come away with a theme of
the importance of enjoying food!
For example,
Nehemiah goes into great detail about an address by Ezra to the people
assembled. Following Ezra’s reading of the book of the law of Moses, and the
somber, serious mood that created, he tells the people to "Go,
eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had
nothing prepared; for today is holy to our LORD. Do not be saddened this day,
for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!" (Nehemiah 8:1-12)
The story
goes on to say that the people did indeed “eat and drink, to
distribute portions, and to celebrate with great joy, for they understood the
words that had been expounded to them.”
Psalm 19,
which instructs that “the precepts of the Lord give joy to the
heart,” also
mentions a delicacy, saying that the Lord’s precepts, and the joy they should
bring us, are “sweeter than syrup or honey from the
comb.” (Psalms 19:8- 11)
And in the
Gospel, Jesus instructs His 72 disciples on many things, equipping them for
their ministry and mission of taking the good news out to others. In one instruction, He says to “eat
and drink what is offered to you.” (Luke 10:1-12)
Perhaps God
wants to make sure we understand that we have permission to enjoy food and
drink, to celebrate with it, to not feel guilty about indulging when there is a
good reason. Dining is of such
importance that Jesus even feels it’s necessary to tell His disciples to be
polite and enjoy the hospitality that’s offered them.
The key is,
however, to use the food and drink as a means to celebrate the truly important
things in life, which are God’s love for us, God’s care for us and God’s
precepts for our lives. That’s where the
real joy is, as the psalmist says, but, as humans, one way we have of showing
that joy is celebrating with our friends, families and neighbors with delicious
food and drink. And that’s a good thing,
pleasing to the Lord.
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