PSALM 23: A VERSE-BY-VERSE UNDERSTANDING" (Part 5)
"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over" (verse 5) KJV
" You prepare a table for me even as my enemies watch. You anoint my head with oil from an overflowing cup" (verse 5) CJSB (Complete Jewish Study Bible)
As we are coming almost to the end of Psalm 23, we again have to look at imagery and symbolism. We can take some things literally, yet in this case we see a lot of imagery, yet it affects us in our spiritual life as well as in our physical world life.
A table means "provision," and "preparing a table" can remind us of mom and dad preparing lunch and dinner, and we all sit down and eat our share. (especially on Thanksgiving). Providing for our needs is what God is all about. He knows our needs as well as our wants. At times, we sit down to eat a quick peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but at times, we get the steak with potatoes and corn, with biscuits and maybe red wine.
God knows our needs, both physical and spiritual. The enemy can be either spiritual (Satanic influence, demonic attacks) or physical (persecution by radical religious fanatics), political unrest, and persecution of different groups (Christians, Jews), like Russia under Stalin, Hitler's Third Reich, etc. Yet God seems to always provide our needs, maybe just enough to survive the hard times. Bread, water, milk, beans, hidden ration cards,
Bibles were smuggled into the communist bloc countries by Brother Andrew in the 1960s. Even though the enemy was at the gates, the Bibles got through, and the "eyes" of the guards were "blinded." The people in those countries got the WORD even though the enemy was all around. I was a part of "Underground Evangelism" in the late 1970s, sending the gospels of John to people in communist countries.
All I did was put the name and address of the person on the envelope, and put a stamp on it and send it off from the nearest post office. (It was cheaper when I lived in Germany) All I needed was a 40 Pfenning stamp. The post office was at the "Bahnhoff" (The Train Station). Most letters went to Communist-controlled European countries. Underground Evangelism sent me a paper with 15 names and addresses each month. Every other day, I would send a letter. (The names and addresses were taken from phone books) I still remember the brother who introduced me to that ministry. It was Larry Tilicani, in Colorado Springs, CO, when I was stationed at Fort Carson. (1977)
"A Table of Provisions" can also remind us of God's "protection". "Protection" is also "provision". The Talmud (a collection of Jewish commentaries) tells of a time when David is being pursued by Saul. David finds a cave and hides inside. Then God sends a spider to "protect" David. During the night, the spider spins a web at the entrance of the cave. When morning comes, Saul's men come by the cave and notice the spider web covering the entrance. Saul says, "Let's search elsewhere. David can't be inside; otherwise, the spider web would be broken." So, in the face of his enemies, God protected David using a spider.
The oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. It is an inner peace that we get from knowing that even in rough and tough times, God will provide ALL of our needs. Thus, we should be rejoicing even though we might feel pain. Kings were anointed by pouring oil on their heads. Samuel anointed David to be king that way. Oil also has healing properties. The Holy Spirit can heal our inner hurts if we allow the Spirit of God to work that way in our lives.
"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over" (verse 5) KJV
" You prepare a table for me even as my enemies watch. You anoint my head with oil from an overflowing cup" (verse 5) CJSB (Complete Jewish Study Bible)
As we are coming almost to the end of Psalm 23, we again have to look at imagery and symbolism. We can take some things literally, yet in this case we see a lot of imagery, yet it affects us in our spiritual life as well as in our physical world life.
A table means "provision," and "preparing a table" can remind us of mom and dad preparing lunch and dinner, and we all sit down and eat our share. (especially on Thanksgiving). Providing for our needs is what God is all about. He knows our needs as well as our wants. At times, we sit down to eat a quick peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but at times, we get the steak with potatoes and corn, with biscuits and maybe red wine.
God knows our needs, both physical and spiritual. The enemy can be either spiritual (Satanic influence, demonic attacks) or physical (persecution by radical religious fanatics), political unrest, and persecution of different groups (Christians, Jews), like Russia under Stalin, Hitler's Third Reich, etc. Yet God seems to always provide our needs, maybe just enough to survive the hard times. Bread, water, milk, beans, hidden ration cards,
Bibles were smuggled into the communist bloc countries by Brother Andrew in the 1960s. Even though the enemy was at the gates, the Bibles got through, and the "eyes" of the guards were "blinded." The people in those countries got the WORD even though the enemy was all around. I was a part of "Underground Evangelism" in the late 1970s, sending the gospels of John to people in communist countries.
All I did was put the name and address of the person on the envelope, and put a stamp on it and send it off from the nearest post office. (It was cheaper when I lived in Germany) All I needed was a 40 Pfenning stamp. The post office was at the "Bahnhoff" (The Train Station). Most letters went to Communist-controlled European countries. Underground Evangelism sent me a paper with 15 names and addresses each month. Every other day, I would send a letter. (The names and addresses were taken from phone books) I still remember the brother who introduced me to that ministry. It was Larry Tilicani, in Colorado Springs, CO, when I was stationed at Fort Carson. (1977)
"A Table of Provisions" can also remind us of God's "protection". "Protection" is also "provision". The Talmud (a collection of Jewish commentaries) tells of a time when David is being pursued by Saul. David finds a cave and hides inside. Then God sends a spider to "protect" David. During the night, the spider spins a web at the entrance of the cave. When morning comes, Saul's men come by the cave and notice the spider web covering the entrance. Saul says, "Let's search elsewhere. David can't be inside; otherwise, the spider web would be broken." So, in the face of his enemies, God protected David using a spider.
The oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. It is an inner peace that we get from knowing that even in rough and tough times, God will provide ALL of our needs. Thus, we should be rejoicing even though we might feel pain. Kings were anointed by pouring oil on their heads. Samuel anointed David to be king that way. Oil also has healing properties. The Holy Spirit can heal our inner hurts if we allow the Spirit of God to work that way in our lives.
