Why does God......? (Full Version)

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Little_1 -> Why does God......? (9/2/2008 4:41:57 PM)

I was reading Psalm 23 last night and it seemed I was reading verse 5 for the first time! Why does God prepare a table for us in the presence of our enemies?

Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell[a] in the house of the LORD
Forever.



TorchHeart -> RE: Why does God......? (9/2/2008 4:57:40 PM)

My personal interpretation of this would be it is a sign from God to your enemies that you have found favor with God, and that those who persecute you should not do so. It also says to me that God will provide for you, even when other people are threatening to take things from you, or when others have turned against you and will not give you aid.



Little_1 -> RE: Why does God......? (9/3/2008 2:40:39 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: TorchHeart

My personal interpretation of this would be it is a sign from God to your enemies that you have found favor with God, and that those who persecute you should not do so. It also says to me that God will provide for you, even when other people are threatening to take things from you, or when others have turned against you and will not give you aid.


Thank you TorchHeart. This is a very good explanation.

Appreciated.



drussell52 -> RE: Why does God......? (9/3/2008 8:34:42 AM)

Hi. Glad you inserted the entire Psalm, appreciated reading "He restores my soul, (breath of life) If love is to be understood as something beyond an emotion, but reverences, provides, and protects, establishing a table in the presence of one's enemies would truly exemplify that type of love to provide protect and reverence what has been given. Or, what has been created. Reading Scripture is God's way today to provide, protect, and reverence what is His, namely us, you and me, anyone else who by faith trusts Him. Wow this is great and so glad you posted this topic Little_one.. Amen..



earthless -> RE: Why does God......? (9/3/2008 8:43:46 AM)

Like hot coals on their head..........



kyl -> RE: Why does God......? (9/3/2008 10:57:14 AM)

quote:

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;


I read that as the Lord is with us and we should never be afraid or worried.
The Lord has prepared the way before us for whatever the enemy might throw our way.
He has given us all we need to be prepared
We have his word,our faith and strength through the power of the Holy Spirit.
And most important we have Him who through the cross , his sacrifice and resurrection has the victory.
He has made every preparation for us and the enemy knows it.



deermousie -> RE: Why does God......? (9/3/2008 11:39:13 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: TorchHeart

My personal interpretation of this would be it is a sign from God to your enemies that you have found favor with God, and that those who persecute you should not do so. It also says to me that God will provide for you, even when other people are threatening to take things from you, or when others have turned against you and will not give you aid.


Excellent, TorchHeart. Thank you.

Maybe it's a divine "neener neener"?



Little_1 -> RE: Why does God......? (9/3/2008 12:50:50 PM)

I really appreciate all your comments. I am still amazed at this verse. I cannot believe that I have sung it and read it sooooooooooooooooooo many times before and yet the other night it just seemed to stand out from the others as if it was the first time I have read it! I wondered why God prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies and prayed He would help me to understand.

I thank the Lord for this verse and also for those who have helped me to understand it better. I really believe the Lord has spoken a Word in season for a personal situation and I could almost cry with gratitude.

Thank you all again [sm=angel.gif]



dawnofthemorning -> RE: Why does God......? (9/3/2008 1:15:52 PM)

the only answer i can give is that God first loved me by sending his son Jesus......



Liveloved -> RE: Why does God......? (9/3/2008 3:31:33 PM)

Frequently the psalms speak of our looking with satisfaction upon our enemies. It is referring to God's goodness to us and dealing with all that is evil. So His preparing a table before me in the presence of my enemies is His care and concern and provision for me---even protection from the evil---that will ultimately be known by all. I am sure to a shepherd this has much greater meaning. I remember in Philip Keller's book on a shepherd looking at this psalm, he talked about table land and how the shepherd went ahead and secured it from danger for the sheep who would be following him. But he had much more to say on this.

It is a wonderful reminder that we who are His are always in His love and care---and we need to remember that when we are in the presence of those who mistreat us.



PopsiLufsJesus -> RE: Why does God......? (9/3/2008 9:23:56 PM)

are you sure it isn't about sharing our food with our enemies?



Little_1 -> RE: Why does God......? (9/4/2008 1:25:12 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Liveloved

Frequently the psalms speak of our looking with satisfaction upon our enemies. It is referring to God's goodness to us and dealing with all that is evil. So His preparing a table before me in the presence of my enemies is His care and concern and provision for me---even protection from the evil---that will ultimately be known by all. I am sure to a shepherd this has much greater meaning. I remember in Philip Keller's book on a shepherd looking at this psalm, he talked about table land and how the shepherd went ahead and secured it from danger for the sheep who would be following him. But he had much more to say on this.

It is a wonderful reminder that we who are His are always in His love and care---and we need to remember that when we are in the presence of those who mistreat us.


I remember reading Philip Keller's book way back when I first became a Christian. I believe he mentions something about Tabletop Mountain in his book as being the kind of place that is referred to in this Psalm. It's an interesting comparison.



Little_1 -> RE: Why does God......? (9/4/2008 1:37:46 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: PopsiLufsJesus

are you sure it isn't about sharing our food with our enemies?


Interesting thought but the analogy in Psalm 23 refers to the shepherd tending his sheep, leading them into restful and refreshing places as well as through difficult and dark places, etc.

This particular verse from the OP (i.e. verse 5) seems to refer to the fact that although there would have enemies lurking in the background watching the sheep, (e.g. wolves and suchlike), the sheep were none-the-less safe in the shepherd's care and the wolves, etc seemed to be staying at a distance watching the sheep's needs being tended to (and waiting more than likely for an opportunity to pounce).

I can't imagine a sheep offering it's food to a wolf or another creature which lurked in wait for an opportunity to kill and eat him. So with this in mind, I don't think this may be the case and so many Bible theologians seem to be of the same mind with regards to this analogy. However, you just never know. [;)]



PopsiLufsJesus -> RE: Why does God......? (9/4/2008 4:12:51 PM)

Yea, I was just being silly, however that is what came to my mind. So I did have to share it hehehe



hellochurch -> RE: Why does God......? (9/4/2008 8:47:28 PM)

quote:

are you sure it isn't about sharing our food with our enemies
quote:



In the case of "what would Jesus do"- he would share food with his enemies, for example, he shared a 'sop' with Judas, knowing full well the guy was on his way to have him killed.

...but i see the sheep analogy in the grazing field,. and the wolf etc. as enemy... but 'what would jesus do>' he would feed the wolf, of course!


...my comment on the "table in the midst of enemies" is this,...

notice that the location is not heaven, it is here on the earth, as some christians think things will get good only in the future in heaven, the psalm is saying that the person

why do I say this, ? its because there are NO ENEMIES IN HEAVEN!

1) will not want for anything, (meaning amply supplied) here on the earth,
2) has everything laid out for the by God in divine order, their life is like a giant picnic so to speak, is what the psalm is saying, they have water, rest and food, right in the middle of uglies going on around them,...
....
theres more if i had the time, but i will close with this...

3) though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, (notice it is only a shadow of death, it is not real death, but it is a shadow, - a shadow from scripture in the meaning of shadows and types, shadow means darkness cast by something obstructing light, so it is interference in the picnic so to speak, but it is only the shadow of that something, it is not the real thing itself.



hellochurch -> RE: Why does God......? (9/4/2008 8:48:43 PM)

how does that quote thingy work....



Dancre -> RE: Why does God......? (9/4/2008 8:55:15 PM)

quote:

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;


I went on line and discovered this:

quote:

In ancient Near Eastern culture, at a banquet it was customary to anoint a person with fragrant oil as a lotion. Hosts were also expected to protect their guests at all costs. God offers the protection of a host even when enemies surround us. In the final scene of this psalm, we see that believers will dwell with God. God, the perfect shepherd and host, promises to guide and protect us through life to bring us into his house forever.
http://www.rwf2000.com/2000/23pslm.htm

Does that help?

kim



Dancre -> RE: Why does God......? (9/4/2008 8:57:40 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: hellochurch

how does that quote thingy work....


When you are in the reply of message box, look at the boxes above the front face. See the 'quote' box?

Highlight what you want to quote, paste it in the reply box, then hightlight again and hit the quote box.



hellochurch -> RE: Why does God......? (9/4/2008 9:09:22 PM)

quote:

Highlight what you want to quote, paste it in the reply box, then hightlight again and hit the quote box.



....testing.... and thank you.

P.S. just a thought on 'the armor of God' which is what the bible calls it,
,,,,it just occurred to me that it is the armor OF God, meaning God's armor, which could mean that God wears it or has worn it, and he is giving it to us, ie. when King Saul offered David his armor, what he offered to David was the 'armor of Saul' .

Anyway you can look at it as armor offered to us BY God, made for us,
or you could look at it as GOD's personal armor that He wears, and he is giving us His own Warring clothes.



makarizo -> RE: Why does God......? (9/4/2008 9:21:03 PM)

I think if I were a sheep, God would take me to the nicest, greenest pastures, and even if lions and tigers and bears were in my presence, I would eat well, and not fear because God is with me....... my cup runneth over!!!



OneJohn410 -> RE: Why does God......? (9/5/2008 1:55:13 AM)

quote:

Why does God prepare a table for us in the presence of our enemies?


quote:

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.


Hi Little_1,

The book mentioned is written by a shepherd, and this psalm is written by the shepherd David, who considered God to be his shepherd. The book is excellent, btw.

Your question about God's location for a table for you- I agree. To just read it, hey, Lord. What's up with inviting all my enemies to this? I don't want anything to do with them.

For a shepherd, though, there's so much that needs doing that he or she is hopping with that rod and staff each and every day. It was already mentioned- the shepherd has to go before the flock of grass-guzzling sheep and prepare land up ahead for them to move on to. Places where a sheep could step in a hole and break a leg, or be trampled by the rest of the herd after getting out of it is no good. Snakes, lions, toxic plants... all are no good. Sheep are not smart, they just eat, grow wool, and do sheep stuff. Sheep will eat land down to the dirt if a shepherd isn't careful and keep them on the move. So the table is the next big field of grass for the beloved flock to live on.

Okay, the cup of oil for a sheep is a wonderful thing. The oil detracts flies, pests, can be an ointment... it wasn't for a hip-hop woolly headed hairstyle extreme makeover. This little book that's been mentioned is likely in any bookstore... it ranks right up there with In His Steps and the recent Prayer of Jabez.

I do like the other posts shared with you. I always thought of myself sitting at this table, and there's all these people I really dislike, and then the Lord goes and soaks my head with this cup of oil, and I'm supposed to think it's a great thing? Then I read A Shepherd looks at Psalm 23, and so I have no excuse for not coming up with my own reflection of this psalm.

OneJohn410



Little_1 -> RE: Why does God......? (9/5/2008 2:57:35 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: hellochurch

.......but i see the sheep analogy in the grazing field,. and the wolf etc. as enemy... but 'what would jesus do>' he would feed the wolf, of course!......


hellochurch

I think in the case of Psalm 23, we need to stick to the anaolgy intended. The shepherd in the psalm (whilst relating to Jesus) would not in this case feed the wolves surrounding his sheep. So with this in mind, although Jesus would encourage us to be good and kind to our enemies, I don't honestly believe that is what is intended here. We need to be careful not to read anything into Scripture which is not there and take things in their context.

I do agree with my sister earlier that it was an interesting thought however but I really don't believe that is what is being taught in this particular passage of Scripture although I can see why people may arrive at this thought.



Little_1 -> RE: Why does God......? (9/5/2008 3:03:08 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: makarizo

I think if I were a sheep, God would take me to the nicest, greenest pastures, and even if lions and tigers and bears were in my presence, I would eat well, and not fear because God is with me....... my cup runneth over!!!


Christians are in the midst of 'enemies' in everyday life! i.e. this Psalm is very relevant to all Christians at this moment in time no matter where we are. If you remember - we are all in the presence of our enemies (spiritual wickedness in high places) even if we don't have any physical enemies. Being God's child/ren - you/we are in the presence of enemies! So this Psalm is relevant to you and I every single day of our earlthly lives.



Little_1 -> RE: Why does God......? (9/5/2008 3:08:32 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: OneJohn410

......For a shepherd, though, there's so much that needs doing that he or she is hopping with that rod and staff each and every day. It was already mentioned- the shepherd has to go before the flock of grass-guzzling sheep and prepare land up ahead for them to move on to. Places where a sheep could step in a hole and break a leg, or be trampled by the rest of the herd after getting out of it is no good. Snakes, lions, toxic plants... all are no good. Sheep are not smart, they just eat, grow wool, and do sheep stuff. Sheep will eat land down to the dirt if a shepherd isn't careful and keep them on the move. So the table is the next big field of grass for the beloved flock to live on......

OneJohn410


I love the way you have shared this and thank you. It has been a blessing to me.



mariadreamer -> RE: Why does God......? (9/5/2008 3:02:10 PM)

In the tradition of the Orthodox Church, we read this psalm before Holy Communion - for the very reason that the "table" is the reference to it. It is a beautiful psalm. Despite the troubles and temptations of this world, God prepares the table to feed us with the Bread from Heaven.



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