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Maintaining Good Health (Part 4)By John W. Ritenbaugh
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During last week's sermon, we began exploring some of the 700 settings in which eating appears [in the Bible]; and we found that there is a great deal of instruction beyond the mere fact that somebody is pictured as eating. God inspired the Bible's writers to use common, physical aspects of life to instruct us about the unseen spiritual. And the parallels between the physical and the spiritual give us a common ground that yields understanding the things that we might otherwise never see.
Eating is a context that reveals very much about God's providence, about a culture in which the eating is taking place, about the character of the people involved, who is in, who is out, who is up, who is down. And we can also learn a great deal about hospitality from these instances. So pay attention, because very often eating signals much larger issues. It is the venue that provides the springboard to an incisive grasp of very helpful instruction.
Today we are going to continue along the same line, with a wide variety of scriptures that give instruction within the framework of eating. I hope that, from these sermons, it will help you to carefully observe what one eats, with whom one eats, how much one eats, where one eats, and even when one eats. Because all of these things, at any given time, can be very important to the instruction that God wants to get across to us.
We are going to begin in Proverbs 23. It's good to remember, as we begin this in the book of PROVERBS, what PROVERBS is. That it is instruction from God to His children, who are living in this world. It is wise, common sense, advice that—if it is followed—is going to help us to get ahead. That is, live the best kind of life possible. And this instruction is reduced down to just a simple saying that can be easily retained, but it might provide very great rewards if it is followed.
Now, we are going to read all the way through verses 1-8. And you will see that there is a common thread that is running through all eight of these verses.
When you sit down to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you. 2 And put a knife to your throat, if you be a man given to appetite. 3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat. 4 Labor not to be rich: cease from your own wisdom. 5 Will you set your eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. 6 Eat you not the bread of him that has an evil eye, neither desire you his dainty meats: 7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, says he to you; but his heart is not with you. 8 The morsel which you have eaten shall you vomit up, and lose your sweet words. (Proverbs 23:1-8)
There are times, in the Bible, that excessive eating—gluttony—is shown by the Bible to be a moral issue. Now, in these first eight verses, it is not there directly. It is kind of in the background; but it will come to the fore, in just a little bit. But in these first eight verses it only makes an appearance, and then it disappears. "Put a knife to your throat"—which, you see, is a warning to make sure that you don't eat too much.
Now get the setting here. The person, who is shown in the first few verses, is eating with his boss. God uses the word that they have translated into the word ruler. Of course, that would immediately make one think of a king. However, don't limit it to that—because it can also indicate a supervisor. That is, somebody who is your head on the job. Somebody who holds a position that might be attractive to have a relationship with, because you could take advantage of this. But don't ever forget that he's in a position too, to take advantage of you. That is the beginning warning here, as well.
Understand also that inviting one to a meal is a very common practice of those who are in business. It is often the venue for attracting a person into some sort of deal. This is because people who are in this line of work (salesmen or whatever)... We'll just call them people who are in positions of authority--who are able to manage the affairs of a company, or to manage the affairs of an employee. They understand that they can use food and drink in a nice, warm, convivial atmosphere in which food is being served—because it does something physiologically to us, to be in that sort of a position.
And so, we'll say salesmen (and I don't mean to just put this onus on them). They will often use a dinner to entertain a client, because the dinner makes a person more agreeable and the deal more acceptable than it otherwise would be if it was just done coldly—in a bare room, with no furniture or anything like that. Because in a bare room with no furniture, the "victim" (the person who is buying the product) would be in a much better position NOT to be distracted by other things. He would be thinking about the deal that was being made, rather than the conviviality of the circumstance that the meal provides. And the wine, because wine really gets your guard down—if you don't watch out.
God forbids priests (the ministry) of drinking wine before they are going to speak the Word of God. It does something to a person. It is not always good, in certain circumstances, because the wits are down a little bit.
So this phrase that says, "put the knife to your throat"—what it means is curb your appetite. What it means is control yourself. What it means is keep your wits about you. Now in the particular situation that is shown, he is telling us that there is reason enough for a person to think that if your boss invites you to dinner (in this case, the ruler or king)—why would he be doing that, except maybe he has ulterior motives. There was some motivation in which he got you into that position in hopes to be able to use you. In other words, a meal can be a form of manipulation. It can be a tool for control.
Now please don't let me paint too bad of a picture, because it doesn't have to be this way. It can be really a reward. An employer can use that for that end, and that he has no ulterior motives. He simply does want to reward you. He simply does want to get to know you better. But God is saying to be on your guard.
Why would He say that to His converted children? Because they are living in the world, and our guard might be down—thinking that these people think exactly the same way as we do, and they don't! The world is essentially driven by self-centeredness--and using somebody for their own interest, rather than your interest. So God is putting out a warning there: Just be careful, because a meal presents an opportunity for someone to take advantage of you. Put your guard up!
He also gives some positive instruction in a sense, where He said, "Put your guard up. Put your knife to your throat—because I want you (I am speaking as if I am God.)...I want you to represent Me in the right way. Show that you are a person of self-control. Show that you are a person of moderation. That is, that you have your appetites under control. I want you to represent Me in a way that will bring glory and honor to Me; and, of course, it will do you (or, us) good as well."
Beginning in verse 5, the instruction becomes a little bit different. Such an occasion also gives us the opportunity to take the advantage. You see--"Wow, the boss is talking to me. I can use this for my ends, as well." And there is the opportunity for us to think of this meal as being a way to promote ourselves—to gain, to make a profit from it. This is why He says here,
Will you set your eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. (Proverbs 23:5)
He is saying there to refrain yourself from thinking that you are going to take advantage from this and that you are going to get a promotion out of it (You see, the "riches" part), or to gain some end for yourself. What God is saying is, "You are thinking carnally." That is, we are thinking of profiting from this for ourselves, and that's not the right approach.
Then, verse 6 makes a little bit more of a change again, in warning us that—in certain situations—there are times when you don't even want to eat with those people. Such an occasion probably was something that came across (I was going to say "the screen"—thinking about computers--but they didn't have computers in Daniel's day]. But there was some reason why he (along with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) would not eat that food. And it is very possible that one of the reasons they would not, is that they were not allowing themselves to become indebted to these people in any way. It was sort of like very gently telling them (as Abraham did in many cases—when he refused gifts from people) that he did not want to become indebted to them. And so he [Daniel] would not eat the king's dainties.
Verse 7 says: "As he [the evil person] thinks in his heart, so is he." This reminds us that what a person is, is not always clearly visible. We may totally misread the person. And so, what is on the inside (in the heart) may not be readily visible on the outside—because the person is a good actor. They are playing a role and attempting to ensnare you, so that they can use you. So [the evil person] says, "Eat and drink"--but his heart (his will, his motivation) are NOT really with and for you. He is maneuvering to manipulate you and to take advantage of you.
So as this series of verses closes out, it actually gets back to the first thought once again; and he is saying, "Be on guard," when you find yourself in a situation like this.
The morsel which you have eaten shall you vomit up. (Proverbs 23:8a)
What he means is that if both of you... That is, (1) if the person who invites you to dinner (your boss, your ruler, or whatever)—if he doesn't have the right motivation for giving you the meal and (2) you don't have the right motivation in accepting the meal. In other words, both of you are NOT in the right frame of mind. Each is using the meal for his own gain, for his own end. Then God warns that "the morsel that you eat shall you vomit up." In other words, there is not going to be a good end that comes from this.
Food goes into your stomach, and from there it is assimilated into the body. If you vomit it up, you get no use at all from it. That's the picture. If you vomit it up (because both you and the other person are not in the right motivation) and "loose your sweet words." In other words, all of the persuasion that you put into whatever it was, in trying to sell yourself to this person—rather than simply being his servant (working for the company, to help them make money or whatever). Wrong motivation is NOT going to produce the right kind of end.
Now let's drop down to verse 20.
Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: 21 for the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe the man with rags. (Proverbs 23:20-21)
Here we are beginning to see drunkenness and gluttony as indicators of a lack of disciple, leading to problems in other areas of life. In these two verses, what is produced (the fruit of drunkenness and gluttony) is poverty. Now, it doesn't have to be poverty. That's just one fruit. Other things could be produced, as well; but poverty is just typical. And if a person is a drunkard and they are a glutton, they may still be able to make a tremendous amount of money. They get wealthy. But something else will go to pot.
In this case, he is simply confirming that what will be produced will not be what we expect, and it will not be good. So here, morality and the fruit of immorality begin to get into the picture. The fruit of excess—excess drinking, excess eating—is NOT going to be good. It will not produce the right kind of things.
In chapter 28, in the King James anyway, this is a good example of sometimes [the translation] is good in the margin—or sometimes you have to look into a concordance to see what a word means.
Whoso keeps the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shames his father. (Proverbs 28:7)
Let's go back to the thought that I said at the very beginning here. Remember that the book of PROVERBS is instruction from our Father in heaven to His children who are living in the world—where everything is reduced down to sayings. Piquant sayings, aphorisms, are produced to give us something easy to remember.
"Whoso keeps the law," in this case, means one who keeps the law is a person who is moderate-- in self-control. You get that understanding from the rest of the verse, because "riotous men" if you will just look in your margin, or look into a concordance, you are going to find that word (riotous) really means gluttonous. Somebody to eats too much is a shame to God. One of the fruits of God's Spirit is self-control. And because it is a fruit of the Spirit, if you will just think backwards, it will then tell you that a lack of self-control is NOT godly. It is sin—short and simple. And it brings shame to God. It does not glorify Him in any way, shape, or form.
So the way to glorify God is through moderation. Paul later says to let your moderation be known, in all things. Moderation being self-control. Now, let's go back to the book of PHILIPPIANS, because the apostle Paul gets into the act here.
Brethren, be followers together of me... (Philippians 3:17a)
In I Corinthians 11:1 he said, "Follow me, as I follow Christ." So here he says:
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them [meaning note, or pay attention] which walk [that is, live] so as you have us for an ensample. (Philippians 3:17)
Many times we can read things and not understand it; but, if we see somebody doing it, then we grasp what is meant by what was written.
(For many walk, of whom I have told you often... (Philippians 3:18)
Now, he is talking about people who were Christians. They walk now—they are living their lives...
I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ... (Philippians 3:18)
How did they become this way? There were a variety of ways that they may have sinned as a way of life; but what Paul draws upon is:
Whose end is destruction... (Philippians 3:19)
That's their destiny. That's what awaits them.
Whose God is their belly... (Philippians 3:19b)
Now understand this! It was not necessarily gluttony; but, in this case, belly (being the place where food goes) becomes the symbol of a person having their mind turned in on themselves. You see, what we are getting to here is the root cause of gluttony. It is self-centeredness. "Whose God is their belly." The word "God" there means that we are dealing not only with gluttony, but also with idolatry. It is the worship of the self. We are getting into pretty serious stuff here—in which eating is the venue through which this is shown.
Whose glory... (Philippians 3:19)
That is, reputation. That's what the word "glory" means here. When we glorify God, what we are doing is embellishing His reputation. We are embellishing the Family, the Family's name—because we are doing things right. It is our glory to do that; and God receives glory as well—because it improves, embellishes the reputation of the Family of God.
Whose glory is in their shame... (Philippians 3:19)
Now these people—their "glory" (i.e., what everybody knows about them, and thus what forms their reputation) is in their shame. It's what they are doing.
...who mind earthy things.) (Philippians 3:19e)
There is the root cause of sin—and, in this case, of an excess of eating. Eating too much! And God is telling us that we have our mind on the wrong things. Another way that Paul might put this is that a heavenly minded person (a spiritually minded person, a person whose mind is God-centered) would NOT do that. They would control themselves, disciple themselves, so that they would be moderate in their approach to the eating of food, to the imbibing of alcohol, or (for that matter) not going to excess in anything in which there might be a possibility of borderline conduct.
In other words, as we were told many times in the past, stay away from the edge of the cliff. Don't see how close you can come. Allow yourself plenty of room (in your stomach), and don't keep on eating until you are absolutely satiated. Stay well back.
We'll look at one more here, in the book of TITUS.
For there are many unruly and vain talker and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision. (Titus 1:10)
You might say this is the advise of a Pastor General, Paul, to a pastor who was working under him—warning him of these people, to look out for them. And, in this case, he is saying that what he needed to be looking out for, especially, were they of the circumcision. Now, these were undoubtedly Jews. Why did he have to pay particular attention to them? Were the Jews any worse than anybody else? No, they were no worse than anybody else. The thing was that they had many doctrines, many teachings, and many practices that were exactly the same as the true church. And so, around that type of individual, one has to be "attuned" at little bit better than if one is around people that we know absolutely are unconverted.
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision: 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. (Titus 1:10-12)
And again the margin says "lazy gluttons." So gluttony, then, is shown as a sign. It is a symbol. It is a figure of those who have their minds on the wrong things. That's one aspect of eating. But there is another aspect of eating that might even be considered as "normal" (and ordinary), but the Bible also shows this reveals a sinful attitude. You'll know what I mean almost as soon as I give you the verses. They are in Matthew 24:36-39.
But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark. 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (Matthew 24:36-39)
Jesus used this illustration—eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage—to show the indifference towards God of people caught up in the normal courses of living, even when there was evidence all around them that things of MAJOR consequence were happening. Because they had their minds on the ordinary things of life, they do nothing to take advantage of the knowledge that is in other areas, that is warning them that the Sword of Damocles is just about ready to come down.
Now Peter embellished on this same thought at bit, in II Peter 3.
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers [scornful people, cynical people], walking after their own lusts [or desires]. (II Peter 3:3)
The critical thing here is "their own."
And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. (II Peter 3:4)
So, what do you do if you have the thought, "Well, things are just continuing right on"? You keep doing what you are doing. You eat. You drink. You marry. You give in marriage. God is calling that indifference. It is an avoidance of reality (that something is occurring).
For this they willingly are ignorant of, [Notice what he says here.] that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished. (II Peter 3:5-6)
What illustration did Jesus use? Exactly the same illustration—Noah's flood. In the time before the Flood, what were people doing? Even the people around where Noah lived, they knew that Noah was building the boat. It was no secret. He couldn't hide that thing in his garage. It was right out there in the public. And even if he never said a word (in terms of physically speaking before the people), there was 120 years that people knew that he and his family were building a boat. And in 120 years, it's entirely possible that news of that got all over the world.
You know the old saying: Television, telephone, tell a woman. (I kid you ladies.) People talk, don't they? Sure. Communication is a lot faster now; and it doesn't take but just an hour or so to get something that happens in China all the way to the United States—because of radio, and because of the Internet. So events occur very rapidly, but I don't think that what Noah was hidden from anybody. 'Word of mouth' alone, even if he never preached--that building of the ark would have been a witness. That's why he says that they were willingly doing what they did—eating, drinking, going about business (as though nothing was happening).
But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. (II Peter 3:7)
Let's go back to the book of AMOS, because we are going to pull something out of more recent Israelitish history. (When I say "more recent," I mean more recent than Noah.) Believe me, AMOS is a book for our day. This is really telling. Amos tells those Israelites:
Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression. (Amos 4:4a)
These were evidently areas in which they held Feasts of Tabernacles at that time. Maybe we should say "Feast of Tabernacles-like events." We're not really sure. These were both places that had very significant things that occurred in Israelitish history. Things that had to do with Abraham, and with Isaac, and with Jacob.
Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgressions; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three years. 5 And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven. (Amos 4:4-5a)
No leaven was allowed in the sacrifice. Amos, you'll understand, is talking very sarcastically to these people. "Sure, come to these places. Sacrifice your time and energy and your money to come here. And come, while you are at it, all bound up and laden with sin." (That's the leaven.) "Sure, bring those things with you."
Proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this likes you [It's just like you.], O you children of Israel, says the Lord GOD. (Amos 4:5b)
Now listen to what follows, because Amos is getting ready to nail these people to the wall—to show them that God has been warning them all along, about what they are doing. And now His warning is coming from a prophet. Before, it wasn't from a prophet. It was things that were happening in the weather. It was things that were happening out in the fields.
And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities [famine, droughts], and want [lack] of bread in all your places: [But what was the result?] Yet have you not returned unto me, says the LORD. 7 And also I have withheld the rain from you, when there was yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered. 8 So two or three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied; yet have you not returned unto me, says the LORD. (Amos 4:6-8)
"It didn't produce any repentance. You went right on marrying, giving in marriage, eating and drinking. You went right on, in life, as though nothing was happening." I think you can see that the times that they were going through were a bit more advanced that the times that we are going through here in the United States. But let this be a warning. It's coming. And when you see it, make sure that you don't respond the way that the Israelites did—that you respond the way God wants us to respond.
I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured them: yet have you not returned unto me, says the LORD. 10 I have sent among you the pestilence [diseases]. (Amos 4:9-10a)
I have mentioned a couple of times, in the Announcements, how the Church of God is really being smitten with disease. I've been in the church over forty-one years. My memories are pretty sharp, in terms of what was going on back in the '60s. You never heard of these kinds of things in the church then, because they hardly ever occurred--people dying of these horrible diseases. But they are creeping up on us. And every week we give you accounts, in the form of prayer requests, of people in the church facing very unusual things—as far as the Church of God is concerned. Maybe not unusual in the fact that we've never had them before, but rather in the number that we are having.
I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt. Your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have you not returned unto me, says the LORD. 11 I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were as a firebrand plucked out the burning: yet have you not returned unto me, says the LORD. (Amos 4:10-11)
Do you see the indifference?
Therefore thus will I do unto you, O Israel: and because I will do this unto you, prepare to meet your God. (Amos 4:12)
It's going to get worse.
Now let's go to Amos 6:3-6. I chose this one because it specifically addresses the leadership. Of course, it is directed in its context NOT directly at the church, but at the nation. But we, in the church, have to see the principle that is involved here; and, if the shoe fits, wear it.
You that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near. (Amos 6:3)
God is saying that, because we are not doing the right thing, we are actually bringing this thing upon us—causing it to occur.
That lie upon beds of ivory [an image of luxury], and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; [Eating and drinking.] 5 That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of music like David [Are we being entertained, or what?] 6 That drink wine in bowls... (Amos 6:4-6a)
Not glasses, not cups—but bowls! Doesn't that picture an abundance of drinking? You can see what God is pointing to here. We are being entertained right into the tribulation. As far as the nation is concerned—we've got out eyes on Rock Groups, our eyes on the stage play. We've got our eyes on movies, and on television. And while we watch them—being entertained—the evil day keeps advancing on us; and we are doing nothing!
...and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. (Amos 6:6b)
That is so interesting—that Amos points to Joseph. He didn't say "Israel" this time—but "Joseph." And that certainly makes me think of the end times, because who better represents the Israelitish people at the end times—and the tremendous prosperity that God has given us--than Ephraim and Manasseh (Joseph). As nations, we are using that prosperity to blind ourselves to what is happening out there. And so we are eating and drinking. And so doing something that maybe considered "ordinary" is the symbol of the indifference to what is happening as the nation rots from within—both morally and spiritually.
I don't want to pass this series of verse here without mentioning that he is especially pointing to the indifference of the wealthy—meaning those who have been empowered to be able to do something. They could be in a position where they could effectively case things to occur, that will break the back of the immorality that is within (let's say) their area of reference. Maybe a government department (whether it's the Justice Department, or the Interior Department, or the Commerce Department, or the White House, or wherever). Instead, they just drift right along as though nothing is happening.
They don't change in their [own] lives, and they don't demand of those who are under their authority that they do anything either. And so God points the finger at the leadership. And of course, those of in the church (like the ministry) we have to bear the responsibility of this to be sure that we do our part—at the very least, setting the right example to those that we are working with and teaching. And so He points at the leadership and says, "You are doing nothing to stop what is going on. You have the position from which to be able to be effective in turning things about; but [you] do nothing."
So, as you study, don't quickly pass by—with your thinking—when you see something about eating; because it very definitely signals larger issues that may not lie right on the surface. If you do a little searching, ask questions (who, what, why, where, when, how), and do a little bit of looking things up—you are very likely to pick up some things that might not be right on the surface.
There is no doubt that one of the major things that eating pictures is a lifestyle. How, and what, and with whom one eats are signals that identify one as godly or ungodly, moral or immoral. It begins to show an approach to life.
Jesus got involved in something here, back in Luke 15. Here we see a good example of somebody eating and drinking.
Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receives sinners, and eats with them. (Luke 15:1-2)
This is one of the themes that runs through Luke's writing. He shows that Jesus had very much contact with what the Bible calls "sinners." To the Jews of his day, "sinners" were a special class of people, who were held in contempt by the religious of that day. The Pharisaic tradition forbade them to share a meal with those that they considered to be "sinners." But through what Jesus did—it affirms something (a number of things, actually).
First of all, it affirms that God's creation of earthly life—including eating and drinking—is good in principle. The important part there is the in principle. It is a gift from God, as we are going to see in just a little bit. And so it is good in principle; but people corrupt it and abuse it.
Another thing that it does (that is, what Jesus did)... Remember He is God in the flesh. It shows that God is open to all classes of people. It also shows us (as we begin to expand this principle out) that nobody can escape being labeled as a "sinner." It's just a matter of degree. It is just a matter of human perception as to whether a person is a "sinner" in other men's eyes. It also shows us that they didn't make Jesus into a sinner--because He never sinned.
Now, stop and think about this. We are rubbing shoulders with sinners all the time. It may be at work. It may be in the shopping area. Where are you going to go that you are not rubbing shoulders with sinners?
Some men's sins go before them; and others' follow behind. There are people whose sins are very obvious. There are other people whose sins are not so obvious; but they are just as bad. Indeed, they may be worse than those who are considered to be "sinners" by the religious of the world. What's the difference if a person commits fornication or if a person is self-righteous? They are both sinners. You see, the difference is largely in degree. One may be well hidden. The other may be open.
Now, when you begin to think of that—in those terms, you begin to realize that what I said earlier is that we are rubbing shoulders with sinners all the time. We are sinners. We should not be sinning as a way of life. We should be striving to overcome. But we all have our problems. So, what should our approach to these "sinners" be? It should be, really, the same as Jesus. He didn't avoid them, like the Pharisees did. He actually made them a part of his company. He went to their homes, apparently, and ate. Maybe He was the hospitable one and invited them to come to Him. So the general idea is this: We are to be hospitable, friendly, kind to them—just don't do as they do. That's all.
One of the reasons that I went into this is because there are some groups, within the greater Church of God, who act toward other groups as if that other group was peopled with "sinners." They act as if coming in contact with their own brother in the faith is something that is somehow going to taint them. Pardon my sarcasm, but what a way to promote unity! Can't you see the self-righteousness that is there? And they are, in a sense, lifting their skirts in holy horror and running off, and separating themselves from others. However, their sin of self-righteousness may be held by God to be far worse than the obvious sin of their brother in the church who is somewhat different from what they are. We wonder why the church is split up the way it is. That's just one reason; but it is a big reason.
We are going to take a little bit of a turn on this now; because we have to get a little bit more of a balanced look on eating. It is Solomon who provides us with an interesting approach, in the book of ECCLESIASTES. Actually, he mentions eating and drinking at least five times. The first one that we are going to look at here is in Ecclesiastes 2:24-26. Now listen to this. We are reaching a conclusion here, to this point—in this treatise that he is writing here. And after examining the things that he did in Ecclesiastes 1, and up to this point in chapter two, [he concludes]:
There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy [what is] good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. (Ecclesiastes 2:24)
Remember that I said earlier that Jesus confirmed that, in principle, eating and drinking are good! That's very plain--and that's exactly what Solomon said. Eating and drinking and work. This is going to become a little bigger (more important) as we go along. [These] are from the hand of God.
There are, unfortunately, some of us who have gotten the idea that work is bad—that work is a curse. And it even kind of implies that back in the book of GENESIS. Like it is a curse, because of Adam and Eve's sin. But I don't think so. God had it in His very Mind, from the beginning, that His children would WORK. He's the Creator. He works! If we are going to be in His image—the Creator works creating; and He would want His children to work too. Working is not a curse. It's a gift from God, to be able to do it.
For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I? (Ecclesiastes 2:25)
In other words, who had a better opportunity to do these things than Solomon (to whom money was nothing) did. He had power. He had money. He had position. He had everything!
For God gives to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he gives travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit. (Ecclesiastes 2:26)
The idea here is not "pleasure seeking" in terms of eating and drinking. But, rather, what it is, is an encouragement (from Solomon, from God) for us to seek joy in the common ordinary things of life. In order for one to do this, you almost have to begin where Solomon began here and understand that these things are gifts from God.
Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of lights, you see. And what has He given you? He has given you food to eat in abundance. He gives us things to drink in abundance. He has given us work in abundance. All of them are good! That's where you begin. Don't think upon these things as "necessary evils" in any way. Eating and drinking God intended to be enjoyed!
Now, when God said back there in Genesis 3 (you know, by the sweat of your brow that you are going to labor), what He meant was that what sin did was not change the fact that God intended us to work from the very beginning—because He did. Did He not tell Adam and Eve to dress and to keep? That's work! Even if they had done things perfectly in the Garden, they still would have had to work. And so work was one of the very first gifts that God ever gave to human beings—right along with food. All of the fruit of the trees were there as well. And so the place to begin to really enjoy in the right way—in balance—eating and drinking and work is to begin with the concept, the way God intended it, that they were good gifts (gracious, abundant gifts) from our Father in heaven.
What sin did was that it threw into the mix a sense of despair and hopelessness—a sense of vanity. That is, that work is useless. That work is not going to accomplish the things that we want it to accomplish. A sense that "I'll never get anything out of this, because I no sooner build it and something destroys it." Those kind of things. That was what was introduced by the sins of Adam and Eve. But work can still be a cause of pleasure and joy, along with eating and drinking.
Now we want to go to chapter 3, because he brings this up again—in a slightly different context.
What profit has he that works in that wherein he labors? 10 I have seen the travail, which God has given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. 11 He has made every thing beautiful in his time: also he has set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God makes from the beginning to the end. 12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. 13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God. (Ecclesiastes 3:9-13)
Again, the idea here is not pessimism. Rather it is a counter to something (a thought, a concept) that we are able to entertain in our minds. That is, that because we are unable to see everything that is going on--we don't see everything has its proper cause and effect. AND (here's the dangerous part) we don't really see God in the picture, in the right way. It slips our mind. Within the pressures of life, we get focused on what we are doing. And (unintentionally, I think, in many cases) we leave God and His Sovereignty, His purpose, what He is working out—it slips from our mind and we slip into this attitude of depression and despair, that "life is not worth it."
So what Solomon is appealing to here is that we not forget that God is watching over everything. He is guiding everything in life toward the "end" that He has in mind! Not what we have in mind, but rather what He has in mind. And so every situation in life comes WITH GOD'S APPROVAL. Do you understand that? Whatever happens to us, God has either (1) passed on it personally or (2) He has caused it to occur. And, therefore--with His help, with His guidance, with the enabling that He gives us—everything that we consider to be "work" can be accomplished.
And so Solomon's appeal is: "Hey, how can you loose?" That's what he is saying here. God has made everything beautiful in His time. But everything beautiful ends. That's when we begin to get discouraged, because we begin to think that we have failed. Maybe we didn't fail; but God has shifted gears on us and moved us into a new mode—in which He wants us to continue going with the same efforts, with the same zeal and vigor that we used to produce what we thought got swept away.
If God is God (and He is!), then He's on the job. Nothing was lost that we used to accomplish whatever it was. And so, the thing that we have to come to in our faith, is to understand God's watchfulness (His oversight in EVERYTHING that is going on) and the fact that our relationship with Him is far closer than maybe our minds can even except. But we will learn. So really, this is a wonderful appeal by Solomon to "Don't forget God,"—because He is overseeing all of these things; and He hasn't left us hung out here to dry. He is still there. So don't be overly concerned. God is on His throne.
Now, he advances us a little bit further in chapter 5. (Please don't forget that eating and drinking is involved in all of these things.) There is a great deal that is very good instruction here.
There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. 14 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begets a son, and there is nothing in his hand. 15 As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labor, which he may carry away in his hand. 16 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit has he that has labored in the wind? 17 All his days also he eats in darkness, and he has much sorrow and wrath with his sickness. 18 Behold that which I have seen: It is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor that he takes under the sun all the days of his life, which God gives him: for it is his portion. (Ecclesiastes 5:13-18)
Now Solomon makes a slight digression here, because he focuses in on the attitudes and the fruits of a person who is greedy for money. And what he is saying here is that the greed warps a person's outlook on life—so that the things that God intends to be a pleasurable blessing cannot be enjoyed. You see, the focus on the object of the greed... In this case, it was money. With some other people, it might be power. But he is warning us that if the focus is wrong, [then] the fruit is not going to be good. And even if we accomplish what is it that we want [to accomplish], because of sin (that is, lust, greed, avarice) that is within us, it is NOT going to produce the enjoyment of that thing that we hoped for in the beginning. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit; and an evil tree cannot produce good fruit. That's what Solomon is saying.
So accomplishment through sin—even if it be billions of dollars, that enables you to buy the very best of food, the very best of drink, the very best in homes, the very best in automobiles, the very best in yachts. If it is sinfully driven and accomplished, the life is still going to be hollow. And so, at the end, he says, "Put the emphasis on the right thing—enjoying what God has given you, and not worrying about piling all of this up." Enjoy eating and drinking, because just having "more" isn't necessarily going to make it any better. How many pairs of pants can you put on at once?
He might be a billionaire, but Bill Gates only puts on his pants one leg at a time (if you understand what I mean). Is a twenty automobile garage...? Gulp! You know, when you have a twenty automobile garage (and let's just say that he has twenty automobiles)—how much energy is expended in managing twenty automobiles? You see, after a while, it begins to be something that drags you down.
There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happens according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity. 15 Then I commended mirth, because a man has no better thing under the sun, than to eat and to drink... (Ecclesiastes 8:14-15a)
That's hard for us to grasp. NO BETTER THING than to be able to eat and drink. Now remember: This is a man who had everything! I am sure that he had more money than even Bill Gates dreams about. But, when it came right down to it, what is this wise man saying? It didn't matter. The enjoyment of life consists of the gifts that God gave at the very beginning. What did He give? Work, food, things to drink. What's he talking about here? He's talking about family, and enjoying things with them. We'll see that, in just a little bit.
...and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life, which God gives him under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 8:15b)
The concept here is the seeming injustice that is taking place in the world. I say "seeming" but it may not be "seeming." It may be real injustice. But injustice can bring a sense of frustration—because what happens to the good man is what happens to the evil man. And what happens to the evil man, is what happens to the good man. And so the good man is rewarded with injustice. And the evil man is rewarded with health, wealth, power, and position.
And, if you are not careful, you look at that thing and you say, "Why live? Why do good? Because if I do good, I end up like Joe Blow over here (who did good all of his life). And look at what he ended up with—nothing. And if I do evil, then I become like the people in power." For a righteous person, that can be a very appealing persuasion to make him feel that doing right and good in his life is not all that it's cracked up to be. And so Solomon assures us that the really important things in life are simply things that are available to anybody—(1) to be able to eat, (2) to be able to drink, and (3) to be able to work.
Now, we are headed to a conclusion here.
Go your way, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God now accepts your works. (Ecclesiastes 9:7)
This is something that is written directly to God's converted children—those who have His Spirit. He is saying, "Get your mind in balance. Understand what is important in life." Food, that God supplies, is important. Work, that God supplies, is important, and wine (standing for being able to drink).
Let your garments always be white. (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
Do you know what that means? Be righteous. Keep the commandments.
And let your head lack no ointment. 9 Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of the life of your vanity, which he has given you under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 9:8-9)
So here he adds another thing that is a good gift from God—marriage and family. (A spouse.)
All the days of your vanity: for this is your portion in this life, and in your labor which you take under the sun. 10 Whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither you go. (Ecclesiastes 9:9b-10)
Let's make that instruction, perhaps, just a little bit clearer. Solomon is saying begin where you are, with an assumption (and it is a correct assumption) that your circumstance in life has come WITH GOD'S APPROVAL. God is now accepting your works—regardless of the circumstance.
And so things that are important to God are (1) family union, (2) food and drink, (3) clothing, and (4) work. That is, enjoying them and using them with the right concept. These are the things which form a God-given basis for life. Be righteous and work with great diligence. That's pretty clear.
God willing, the next time that I speak we will pick up right there; and I think you will find the next sections of these sermons to be very helpful to you.
JWR/plh/
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