Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK
Oct. 13, 2011,

“What’s on Your Plate?”
“She (Wisdom) has prepared her meat and mixed her wine...she has also set her table.” – Proverbs 9:2 (NIV, emphasis mine)

I have to make the following admission—that when it comes to matters of etiquette, Martha Stewart would be aghast at my knowledge of “table setting.” When (or more realistically if) I am asked to set the table my main concern is to make certain the essential elements are present. The plate, silverware, glass, and napkins. If you were to ask me what goes where and in what order—you’ve lost me. It does not matter to me whatsoever how the table is set—my main concern is that all the elements are there and ready to use. I’ve got the meat on my plate, fork and knife, napkin in my lap and a glass of cold water—let’s eat!! Something struck me as I was thinking through this verse and it was this: How important are these elements in regards to what God wants for my life? Just for the sake of putting this verse into perspective let’s isolate each “tool” that we use for our meals and consider how they might apply to our spiritual being. We are going to begin with the place that gets the most attention during the meal (apart from the food of course) and that is the plate! There is a bit of a problem in making comparison here because according to our knowledge of history, dinner plates, (that which we are accustomed to), have only been around since the 5th century. They were modeled on earlier, round plates constructed from stale bread. They originated with the Chinese discovery of porcelain in approximately 600. Chinese potters were able to create porcelain due to knowledge of glazing techniques and the local availability of kaolin clay. The opening of trade routes in the 14th century allowed for the export of Chinese plates to Europe, though it took several centuries for Europeans to emulate the porcelain-making process. It was during the 18th century that European potters began to manufacture porcelain plates, which were mainly available only to the elites. It was not until the 19th century, specifically between the years 1815 and 1898, that dinner plates became mass-produced and affordable to the public. If this is true then Solomon’s table would not have had plates—but platters that would contain different foods. Those platters would then be passed around the table where those eating would take what they wanted and began eating just that particular morsel. Some platters contained fruit, others bread and then of course the meat which would be the main course. There is a part of me that sees a great advantage here and that is you only take what you can hold during each passing! Then once you are finished with that then you take the next part and then once finished with that the next…and on it goes!
In one of the last Proverbs, Solomon says this: “…give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” (30:8, 9)
How many times do we pile our plates with more than what we should? We see so many good things (both spiritual and physical things) and we think we have to have something of everything and then about halfway through the meal regret taking more than what we should have. Maybe the lesson is to not take everything at once but only take one thing at a time and once that is finished go on to the next “course.” Another problem is trying to do too much too soon! You would not give an infant steak when they have no way of eating it! The same can be said for those who are young in the faith. They may be able to handle the bread—maybe some fruit—but they are not ready for a big helping of the main course. The great thing about God’s Table is that there is always plenty!! There is enough of the “Bread of Life” (John 6:35) to last a life time. And the “Fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 6:22) is available at anytime of the night or day! And God’s Word, Love, Grace, Forgiveness (the Main Course) is ours for the asking! So, what’s on your plate today? As for me—I see some brisket with my name on it. Somebody pass me the platter!!
Pastor J. T. Carnell