GOD LOVES AN ORDERED TABLE
Sometimes we don’t make our meal table very orderly, do we?A mother prepares some food, yells to everyone to come and get it. The family scoff it down the food and leave the table! That’s all there is to it. Nothing much happened. All the work of preparing the food for nothing.
I believe we can change this scenario. I believe that the importance we put upon our table will be the attitude our children have toward it. It first begins with changing our attitude. We as mothers must see the importance of the table It’s very important in God’s eyes. When God described a blessed family, he pictured them all around the table (Psalm 128:3).
We must understand that the table is not only a place to feed our children physically but to bring the family together to interact and to also feed their souls and spirits. Therefore, we prepare a nutritious meal for their physical bodies, but we also take time to think about what we will talk about to feed their souls.
And of course, we will never let them leave the table before we have ministered to the most important part of their beings, their inner souls—and we read God’s Word to them. If we allow them to leave the table before we feed their inner man, they leave half fed.
But it is not enough to prepare the meal. We must also prepare the table. The more orderly, attractive, and inviting we make the table, the more it draws our family to gather around.
Let’s see what the Bible says about setting a table.
The first mention of the table in the Bible is the Table of Shewbread. We read in Exodus 40:2-4, 23: “Thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it. . . . And he set the bread in order before the LORD.”
God’s Word translation says: “He arranged the bread on the table in the LORD’S presence, following the LORD’S instructions.”
Do you notice those beautiful words, “in the LORD’S presence”? Dear precious mothers, we are not only preparing a table for our family, but for God. We do it in His presence. God is with you in your home as you prepare your meal and come to your table. He loves to come to your table and manifest His presence in Your midst. Acknowledge His presence as you prepare your meals and prepare your table. It will make all the difference to the way you do it.
Do you notice that Moses set everything in order according to God’s plan? The Hebrew word is “arak” and means “to set in a row, put in order, to set in array.”
It is the same word that is used in these Scriptures:
Psalm 23:5: “Thou preparest (arak) a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.”
Psalm 78:19: “Can God furnish (arak) a table in the wilderness?”
Proverbs 9:2: “Wisdom hath builded her house . . . she hath also furnished (arak) her table.” If we have wisdom, we will prepare and order our table knowing that it will bring many blessings to our home.
Elevate your table to a new level. I don’t mean to make it higher physically but make it higher in priority and importance in your home. You will be amazed at how attitudes change in the hearts of your children.
Be blessed,
Nancy Campbell
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