The Unbeliever's Table, Continued

May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them. Romans 11: 9

What does David say about the table of unbelievers - the disobedient, the haughty, the stiff-necked, the unrepentant, the self-righteous - sinners proud and faithless?

What does David say about their table? From the start, we hear, not words of blessing, but words of woe, of cursing. Let us go back in history and be apprised of what God’s servant, Moses, speaks to God’s liberated and freed people, the Israelites, in God’s Name, regarding God’s blessing and God’s cursing.

Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you today; and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you today, to go after other gods which you have not known. Deuteronomy 11: 26 – 28.

Yes, these are all believers who, for whatever reason or reasons, have given up on faith and have turned to the works of human hands, to pure unbelief. David states four woes or curses as it were, pertaining to their table, their place, provision and produce of bread or food.

The first woe – May the table of unbelief become a snare.

When one thinks of a snare one thinks of the fowler, the one who sets out to catch the birds of the air. David declares that anyone who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Whoever then, knows God as refuge and fortress, the God in whom is all their trust will know Him as Saviour. Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare. Psalm 91: 3a.

The second woe – May the table of no faith, become a trap.

When this word trap is heard, one immediately thinks of the hunter who sets traps for his prey. We hear the words of wisdom from Proverbs 6: 5. Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.

We also know that traps were set for Jesus, but He always was able to remain un-trapped. We hear Him speaking to the Pharisees, whose hypocrisy He knew, saying this to them. Why are you trying to trap me? Mark 12: 15b.

The third woe – May their table of disobedience become a stumbling block.

Disobedience is not tolerated by God because He who is Love, is Just and True and the Lord Himself will be their stumbling block. This is what the Apostle Paul states. But we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. 1 Corinthians 1: 23.

The fourth woe – May their table of idolatry become a retribution.

Retribution, more often than not, refers to punishment. It is severe punishment for a horrendous crime or crimes committed. When we read Hebrews 10: 30 - 31, we leave all up to God. For we know him who said, It is mine to avenge; I will repay, and again, The Lord will judge his people. It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

This is a most scary and harsh word, one which we would rather bury deep in the sand, or turn its spotlight on others and not ourselves. But God is Just and Right and He will not allow any of His creation to make His Holy Name a mocker’s football. No enemy of God, no deceiver, will ever have the opportunity of accusing God of failing to be Just and Right, because you and I expect God to feed us the believer’s table when we remain stubborn in unbelief.

God is Truth and His Truth gives every unbeliever the opportunity to come back to Him in repentance and find forgiveness and pardon. Repentance is preached to this day. It was preached before Jesus began His earthly ministry and when He came on the scene, we are told that He began His ministry, calling people to repentance. The time has come, he said. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news! Mark 1: 15.