Psalm 23:5 – A Table
You prepare a table for me in front of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup is overflowing.
The imagery of this verse is vigorous and encouraging. All the elements of being cared for by someone else at a meal or social occasion are presented.
As is often the case, there are many directions one can go in meditating on a passage as rich as this one. For example, one might discuss the importance of all this blessing and care happening in sight of one’s enemies.
But it occurred to me how this verse illustrates a great deal of scripture.
At creation, God puts the human he has created in a garden, and in Genesis 2:16 lets him know that all this is prepared for food. The fellowship of God with people centers here not around a meal, but rather around the full supply of all humanities needs.
Here’s a description from the book Take and Eat by TK Dunn:
In Genesis 1 and 2, God made humanity in his image and likeness to be his regent over creation, exercising a delegated authority over the created order to ensure that each animal knew its place and had what it needed to survive. God had, in the garden, promised to provide sufficient food for all of creation, and Adam and Eve were told to enjoy it and “take and eat” of his bountiful supplies so that they would have the energy and ability to fulfil their work and tasks in the garden. No matter where they went, there were plants and trees with sufficient nutritiousness for their daily needs. God’s provision was more than enough: It was plentiful. And it was varied so that there would be different tastes, textures, and concoctions to delight the tastebuds and entice the senses. Eden was more than a sinless paradise; it was to be a chef ’s paradise. And God, as a smiling, doting, compassionate father,
TK Dunn, Take and Eat, p. 61
looking down at the creation he deemed “very good” said to Adam and Eve, “take and eat.”
I picture this verse as describing the same sort of relationship between God and humanity, and the same sort of care, comfort, and security.
Of course, Genesis 2 is followed by Genesis 3, and people find themselves less aware of God’s presence and more seriously impacted by the hardships of life.
This is one reason I deeply appreciate the sacrament of Holy Communion. In it we are reminded that God is the provider and invites us to partake with him in this meal. It points backward to what we were.
It also points forward to what we will be.
Revelation 20 introduces us to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. We come from a time when we had close fellowship with God in a garden, and we are heading toward a feast.
You may be wondering about the tie-in to the garden, but just as in the Garden of Eden there was a tree of life so Revelation 22 introduces us to the new Tree of Life.
In the meantime, we serve a God who prepares a table and offers fellowship.
Keep looking up today!
