THE children of Israel were a favoured people. Delivered from the bondage of Egypt, they were led through the Red Sea by miraculous power and after wandering for forty years in the wilderness, where God did many wondrous things for them, they were brought to the Land of Canaan. This land was given to them as a possession. The heathen were cast out and the tribes of Israel made to dwell in their tents. The vine brought from Egypt was planted in the land and, taking deep root, it sent its boughs out to the sea and covered the hills with its shade. The cause of the prosperity of Israel lay
in the favour of Him in whose favour is life. “For they got not the land in possession by their own sword; neither did their own arm save them; but Thy right hand and Thy right arm and the light of Thy countenance, because Thou hadst a favour unto them. (Psalm xlv., 3).
Although so greatly blessed however, the Israelites were but sinful men and often during their wilderness journey they provoked the Most High and drew down upon themselves the just recompense of their evil deeds. Wherever sin is delighted in the favour of God is withdrawn and His displeasure visited upon the disobedient. It is in the nature of sin to forget God, the works and wonders He does, the favours He bestows and the judgments He threatens; thus we find Israel at one time in their journey with the question on their lips “Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?” (Psalm, lxxviii., 19).
The tables spread in this world for the satisfaction of the appetites of mankind are not all furnished by the God of Israel. The Apostle speaks in one place of “the table of devils” (I. Cor., x., 21). Let us therefore proceed to examine the various tables, and if led by the good Spirit of God, we may discover at which one we eat our daily bread.
A table spread in sumptuous array is that furnished by the World. A prominent place is given to the dish with the dainties of Riches and Worldly Prosperity, and it is evident from the large company who feed there that such food is most agreeable to their carnal taste. Another favourite dish is that of Companionship, the fruits of which are mostly partaken of by young people. Placed near this dish is another, also very popular, containing the sweetmeat of Flattery. A general review of the foodstuffs provided reveal that they are not of a wholesome nature, but rather of the dainty variety, sweet to the taste but having evil results. Those seated around this table appear very happy yet from their conversation they always seem to be in want. “Who will show us any good?” “What shall we eat and what shall we drink and wherewithal shall we be clothed?” These and similar cries are continually being heard revealing that their loud laughter is like thorns crackling under a pot—
a noisy flare swiftly reduced to black ash. Are we seated among this people? If so let us be warned to flee from them for to a discerning eye there is written above the table in letters of fire “The friendship of the world is enmity with God.”
The table spread by the Flesh is not far situated from that spread by the World and the provision made is of a similar kind. Given a place of honour is the dish of Vain Pleasure and it is sad to observe the large numbers who spend their precious lives feasting at this luxury in face of the Divine warning that “She that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.” Carnal Religion is also much in demand. It is said that this food not only has the advantage of producing a feeling of comfort but can also be applied as a healing plaster should the conscience of any be troubled by the fear that when death overtakes them the judgments threatened in God’s word will be executed in their own case. Those gathered around this table are often seen at the table of the World and their apparent happiness is of the same boisterous nature, but it is written to their condemnation “Be not deceived, God is not mocked; whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption.”
The Devil has his table also and it is reported that he gives the provisions for the two mentioned already. On his table is a dangerous poison called Gospel blindness—”the god of this world blindeth the minds of them that believe not.” Those who drink from this vial are rendered blind to the fact that it is at Satan’s table they sit. Though the law be preached with all its demands and threatenings, they see no reason why they should tremble and turn from their evil ways. Though the gospel be proclaimed in its fulness, they see no beauty in it that they should desire Him in whom all its promises are yea and amen. Though they may have had experience that they way of transgressors is hard, yet they cling to their sins and it is to be feared that they will die in them. There are other dishes too numerous to mention, and those who feed from them are truly to be pitied for they are led captive by the Devil at his will and it is clear from Scripture that, unless Divine mercy
intervenes, it is with him they will spend an endless eternity.
The table of the Lord is vastly different from those described above. The feast provided is a spiritual one, for those around the table have spiritual appetites. The provision is the Lord Jesus Christ in His Person and work revealed by the Holy Spirit in the word of God. He is the true bread that came down from heaven. As to his person, He is the eternal Son of God in our nature. As God, He is equal in power and glory with the Father and Holy Ghost; a Person of unsurpassing excellency, the brightness of His Father’s glory and the express image of His person. As man, He is without sin; holy, harmless, undefiled and separate from sinners. He is without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. No sinful thought was ever conceived in His holy mind, no sinful word ever fell from His gracious lips and no sinful action ever marred His law-fulfilling life. As mediator, He is Immanuel, God with us, the Redeemer, Head and Bridegroom of His Church; her Prophet, Priest and King; her advocate within the veil; her Friend and her Beloved. At the last Day, He is to be the Judge of all and in the sight of angels, men, and devils, shall solemnly and finally separate the sheep from the goats. “But who may abide the day of His coming.”
As to His work, it was so great that none but He could undertake it. In obedience to His Father’s will, moved by His love to the church and in terms of an everlasting covenant He undertook not only to work out a righteousness which would cover His people and make them fit for the presence of God, but bearing the sins of that innumerable number. He was to die the death they should have endured because of their sins. All this He accomplished. The law was magnified and made honourable and, when the King of Glory said “It is finished,” bowed His head and gave up the ghost, the last drop of the cup of wrath had been drunk, the justice of God had been satisfied and as a witness to this the Lord Jesus rose again from the dead. “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Rom. iv., 25).
But who are those seated around this table? There was a time when you would have found them at the tables of the World, the
Flesh and the Devil, but, in a day of mercy their eyes were opened to see where they were. Like the prodigal son, they came to themselves and realised that they had a hunger which the husks offered on these tables could never satisfy. Accordingly they had to rise from them. Those who feed at the table of the gospel are not found at places of amusement nor resting in a carnal religion for there is nothing in these things to satisfy those who are burdened with a sense of sin and guilt. When they turned their backs on their former delights, these people went out, like Abraham, not knowing whither they went but the Lord had secretly wrought a desire in their souls after reconciliation with Himself and nothing could satisfy that desire but to taste of His favour. There came a time when they saw in the Lord Jesus a Saviour able to save to the uttermost all who would come unto God by Him, but their trouble was that they would not come. Lawbreakers by nature and pierced by the sinfulness of their unbelief, they were emptied of all creature comfort and hope and now had before a throne of grace nothing but the cry “God be merciful to me a sinner.” This is a cry which is always given a hearing in the court of Heaven and the time of their deliverance drew nigh. The Holy Spirit, under whose teaching they had been brought thus far, applied sweetly to their souls the gospel invitation and they, apprehending the beauty and the excellency of the Lord Jesus Christ, were made willing to close in with His invitation “Incline your ear and come unto me; hear and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.” (Isaiah lv., 3). The Redeemer now became all their salvation and all their desire; to do His will became their meat and drink; to live a life of faith upon Him became their chief business in this world.
At which table do we feed, dear reader? Are we satisfied without a saving knowledge of the Messiah and content to be sustained with such things as this world offers? We may be so, like the children of Israel, “So they did eat and were well filled” (Psalm, lxxviii., 29) but we shall as surely perish as they did “but while the meat was still in their mouths the wrath of God came upon them and slew the fattest of them, and smote
down the chosen men of Israel” (v. 30, 31). Let us seek grace to find a place at the table of the Lord for it is written “yet there is room.” The invitation is full and free “If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink” “And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” “To-day if you will hear His voice, harden not your heart, as in the provocation, as in the day of temptation in the wilderness.”—D.M.