“When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee: and put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.”—Proverbs 23:1–3.
Interpretation.—The “counsel” is to do violence to a fastidious or immoderate appetite, specially at the table of a man of higher rank and greater power than one’s self. Consider well what is before thee, i.e. under whose watchful eye thou art sitting; or (as some critics think) have thy wits about thee, lest thou appropriate any dish specially reserved for the great man. And do violence to, yea, as it were, stab thine own appetite rather than incur his displeasure by indulging too freely, however thine inclination may prompt thee. For his motive in offering thee dainties may not be wholly kind; an occult and sinister purpose may lurk in his proffered hospitality, and turn his viands into “bread of lies.”
Illustrations.—Esau was a man given to appetite, and even his father Isaac would appear to have been not altogether blameless in this respect. Holy Scripture, however, affords no exact illustration of the case in point. But there are two proverbial sayings (one of Persian origin) which exactly express the danger here intimated: “Whoever eats of the sultan’s soup sooner or later burns his lips.” And, “One must come near to a king as to a fire: not too near, lest he be burned; not too remote, so that he may be warmed therewith.”
Application.—Worldly prudence may enforce strict temperance at the table of one whose cordiality I distrust, or whose malevolence is to be feared. But, as a Christian, shall not a higher motive govern me? At a table spread with delicacies shall I not “consider diligently” in whose Presence I am, and be restrained from immoderate self-indulgence by thoughts of Him whose blessing I have just invoked upon my meal? To use the good creatures of God may be lawful, but to hanker after them is dangerous. I may make provision for wants, not for lusts. To dip into dainties too much will impede my soul in its upward flight, as when the feet of a winged insect are immersed in mud. Are not those “deceitful dainties” which while they please the body affront the nobler part of man? Ought I not further to “consider” the company with whom I sit, and what effect upon their minds the spectacle of a professed Christian behaving like an epicure is likely to produce? A communicant’s conduct is marked, ay, sometimes put to the test, by fellow-guests and servants. I profess the faith of Christ. I aim at spirituality. Let me add to my faith temperance (2 Pet. 1:6). Let me “eat and drink,” not as though my god were my belly (Phil. 3:19), but to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31).
Pearson, C. R. (1881). Counsels of the Wise King; or, Proverbs of Solomon Applied to Daily Life (Vol. 2, p. 63). W. Skeffington & Son. (Public Domain)
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