AT WHOSE TABLE WILL YOU FEAST

At Whose Table Will You Feast?

Proverbs 9:1-18

When I was six years old, I was invited to a birthday party by a neighbor kid who lived just down the street. He told me about all the cake and ice cream they were going to have; along with all the games and toys, and as he spoke my eyes began to bulge out from my little head. It was going to be the greatest party of all time, he said, and I wanted to go. I'm telling you, it was one of the most anticipated events of my six-year-old life, outside of Christmas and my own birthday of course. At six years old, all birthdays seem magical and the way he described this one to me I knew I had to be there. My mother and father went to the store and bought him a present. Then on the day of the party, they wrapped it up nicely, got me dressed, and sent me over to his house. They watched me walk down the street, and I was glad. After all, I'm a big boy now; I was 'invited' to a party. I can't have my parents walking me like I was a mere child. When I walked into the neighbors house, I could hear all the neighborhood kids laughing and playing downstairs in the basement. Instantly I could feel the excitement overwhelming me. So I rushed down the stairs, and lo and behold, it was magical! There was food and candy everywhere, they had music, games, and the kids were all playing and having a good time. I was experiencing my first known moment of sensory overload. It was too much for my little brain to process. At least this is the way I remember it. Regardless, I was more than willing to battle my way through the bombardment of festive stimuli. Now, not wanting to be rude I found the boy of the hour as quickly as possible, wished him a happy birthday and gave him his present. Then all of a sudden, I heard another little boy laughing at the way I was dressed. Unfortunately, my little brain knew exactly how to process that bit of information. I was embarrassed, I didn't like it, and before I could turn and see who it was, all the little boys and girls began laughing at me, even the birthday boy. I remember thinking "Hay wait one minute, you can't laugh at me like that. This is a party! It's supposed to be magical, and I thought I was a big boy because I was invited". Those may not have been my exact thoughts, but that was the general feeling. The point is, at that moment, all my preconceived notions of the party disappeared, and the spectacular presentation of food and activity quickly faded away. What was left was a sad view on reality; this was just another day, and I was just another little boy, and this was just another room full of disappointment. So I did the only thing a six-year-old boy could do in that situation. I took some cake and went home with my little-boy heart broken.

I'm reminded of that day whenever I read Solomon's description of Folly (Proverbs 9). She makes a tempting and seductive offer to all those who lack judgment (v. 16). She speaks to their desires and presents a feast of choice foods and wine until their little-boy and little-girl eyes are bulging out of their heads. She says "Let all who are simple come in here… Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious (vv 16-17)!" Folly will often tell us that this will be the greatest party of all time! Moreover, how satisfying it will be to our flesh. She is crafty and knows instinctively how to entice those who are weak. Her power is in our preconceived notions of how wonderful life will be if we dine with her. It is the sinful nature that hungers to eat at her table, and so, too often, people do. Unfortunately, similar to my party experience, the banquet is not what it seems. In addition, when the preconceived notions fail to come true, and the spectacular presentation of food and activities fade away, those who are found sitting at Folly's table get more than a sad look on reality. We are big boys and girls now, that much is true, and the results from our choices carry with it graver consequences than embarrassment. David refers to those feasting with Folly as "dead" and "in the depths of the grave (v 18)." Her invitation might say food, but hell and destruction is all you'll find on her menu. Now, Folly may be shrewd and lethal, but hers is not the only feast in town. For from her porch the lady Wisdom calls out to all those who might be seduced into Folly's presence. Her feast is also filled with choice foods and delicious wines, but unlike Folly, the lady Wisdom speaks to our spirit and not to our flesh. She says "Come, eat my food and drink of the wine I have mixed. Forsake Folly and you will live; walk in the way of understanding (vv 5-6)." Now, we often read about the feasts of the Lord. It stands as a testimony of His provisions, as well as a reminder to His never ending favor towards man. Isaiah sings praise of it (Isaiah 25:6), Jesus compares heaven to it (Matthew 22:2, Luke 14:16), David finds strength in it (Psalm 23:5), and Wisdom offers life through it. It is the feast of the Lord that she sets before her guests, for she is the image of Christ. We read that the Lady Wisdom was before all creation (8:22-29), she was at God's side (8:30-31), she is found by all that seek her (8:17) and offers life to all that find her (8:35). With Wisdom comes the fear of the Lord, and the understanding she offers is knowledge of the Holy One (v 9:10). With Lady Wisdom our preconceived notions cannot disappoint, for it is written "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him (1 Corinthians 2:9)", and her presentation of the food and wine will never fade, for it is the body of Christ Himself (Matthew 26:26). In the end Folly's song will be nothing more than a dirge in comparison to the hymns we will be singing in the presence of Wisdom. The question that remains to be asked, and answered, is at whose table will you feast? [mp]

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Michael D'Urbano
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