Proverbs 15:17
|
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
|
Our Preacher teaches wisdom by comparisons. By showing one action better than another, he teaches us wise priorities. In this case, we should value love over dinner fare and material things. Keeping our relationships loving and peaceful is more important than picking the right restaurant and spending a fortune. Even the very poor can do this.
Have you ever had a meal with bitterness, hatred, contention, and resentment there? Do you remember the tenseness? The stress? And how it ruined what should have been a pleasant event? You cannot even remember what you ate for the pain of the atmosphere.
But have you ever had a wonderful meal with just a few simple things, because you loved the persons you were with, and they loved you? Just a salad was plenty, because of the atmosphere. You may not remember what you ate for the sweet pleasure of the company.
Many families have meals with tension and bitterness. It becomes a habit, and they don't even know their error. Pain becomes a family tradition. The conversation is negative and critical; the children sarcastically cut each other; and some are sullenly silent in quiet rage. No one truly wants to be there. These things should never be in a Christian home.
Bitter envying and strife are from hell (Jas 3:14-16), and peace and gentleness are from above (Jas 3:17-18). It is the privilege and duty of saints to pursue love and peace.
Our greedy society emphasizes material things as the measure of success. But Solomon teaches here that the good life is not dependent on what you have, but rather the love you share with others. Godliness with contentment is great gain (I Tim 6:6)!
Many measure an evening by the status of the restaurant they visited, the number of courses, or the creativity or expense of the entree'; but the more important issue should be the company and the relationships among them. Then the menu does not even matter.
How many meals have contentious women spoiled (12:4; 19:13; 21:9,19; 27:15-16)? What memories do their children have? How often will they come for dinner with an overbearing, critical, and odious mother waiting for them? What will their meals be like? Pity the husband, who cannot marry and move away! See the comments on 17:1.
With women generally preparing the meal, it should be the role of men to make sure the family loves one another and is at peace. Husbands! Fathers! It is your duty to correct all offenders, mend all injuries, settle all grievances, keep peace, and promote love.
Brethren dwelling together in unity is precious (Ps 133:1-3); but when it is enjoyed over a meal, it is truly special, no matter what is served. It is fellowship of a heavenly sort! Let us seek the joy and unity of Pentecost and its fellowship from house to house (Acts 2:46)!
What will you do today to correct and perfect relationships in your home? With love in all directions, what is on the table becomes quite irrelevant. Have you offended others? Have they offended you? Are you harboring bitterness? The remedies are simple, by the grace of our Lord Jesus (19:11; Matt 5:23-24; 18:15-16; Eph 4:31-32; Col 3:12-15).
Make yourself a feast! Seek peace, and love one another!
Collard greens, anyone? If love unites the hearts at the table, it sounds like a feast! But if there is hatred in any heart, even filet mignon is a bitter disappointment! A tossed salad enjoyed in love is better than a steak dinner where the parties hate each other.
www.letgodbetrue.com
