Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
Feb. 29, 2012

“Watch What You Eat”,br /> “Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men...They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.” – Proverbs 4:14, 17

For those of us who grew up in the 70’s, television was what it was…television. Cable was not around yet and those who had satellites were probably those who also flew spaceships. Shows that the whole family could watch without parents having to answer questions about some of the content were: “All in the Family,” “The Jefferson’s,” “Sanford & Son,” “The Brady Bunch,” “The Partridge Family,” and what was my personal favorite—M*A*S*H.
The characters of that show were unforgettable. One of them was the reluctant soldier, Corporal Max Klinger. For those who remember the show—Klinger was famous for his constant attempts to get out of the army—his methods ranging from wearing women’s clothing to a host of other bizarre antics. Klinger’s character did not get much attention until around the second season but from that point on there was typically at least one reference or episode involving some unsuccessful attempt on his part.
One such antic that stands out to me was his idea to get discharged by attempting to eat a jeep. The entire jeep! Engine parts…tires…seats…everything. And like the standard question, “how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time…that is exactly what Klinger attempted to do…eat it piece by piece. However, as all the episodes went, Klinger’s attempt was ill-fated and it was not long before he ended up being a patient in the camp’s hospital and instead of receiving his freedom he remained a reluctant soldier until the show ended in 1983.,br /> One of the things I love about Proverbs is its ability to touch our senses. Solomon’s use of words and language are very “visible.” This particular verse, (17) is no different and it certainly conjures up some very vivid thoughts. For the past four verses Solomon has warned us to do our best to avoid being in the company of the wicked or in the presence of evil. To not travel down the same roads as the wicked travel—in fact, he says to avoid it all together!! And now we are told to avoid eating the same meals. In fact, it would stand to reason that we should be careful to not sit at the same table of fellowship.
What is the Bread of Wickedness? It is interesting that when Judas betrayed Jesus, the mark was by the sharing of bread. For the Jews, to “Break-Bread” was to share fellowship, to be as one with at the table. All ills were forgotten—the past was past and all that was important was at the moment. The bread of wickedness is the exact opposite. It is selfish—unyielding and unforgiving. There is nothing wholesome or beneficial about it. Those who eat it are self-destructive and in the end are the worse for it. What is the Wine of Violence? Again, in the Jewish culture wine represented joy, celebration and hope. When Jesus was attending a wedding (John 2) and they ran out of wine it meant that the celebration was over. To that, Jesus replenished the vats so that the celebration could continue. The “wine of violence” is destructive. There is absolutely nothing joyful or hopeful about it.
When you take communion through what is referred to as “Intention,” you do so by dipping the bread into the cup. The two become one—the physical (bread) and the wine (spiritual) are united as one. I believe what Solomon is leading us to understand is that our physical life is not and cannot be separated from the spiritual—and if we follow the paths with the wicked—we are as a much a part of them and their wickedness as they are.
Solomon says, “be careful where you go…and what you eat.” In line with that, who you “fellowship” with also makes a difference. Is your real fellowship with Jesus? That is the most important of all.
Pastor J. T. Carnell