Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Proverbs 9:1-2 Wisdom ... has slaughtered her meat, she has mixed her wine, she has also furnished her table.
A MEAL FIT FOR A KING
Writing to the Colossians about Jesus Christ, Paul says that "in [Him] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). That is solid evidence that when Solomon in the book of Proverbs speaks of Wisdom personified, he is referring to Jesus, the world's only Savior, the only Head of His Church of believers.
When we eat out at a restaurant, we often ask the server to describe the menu items. "Sir (Ma'am), exactly what is this 'slaughtered meat'?" Regarding this spiritual banquet feast, the server, representing Wisdom, might tell us that the word used here is the same one the prophet Isaiah used when he says of Jesus, "He was led like lamb to the slaughter" (Isaiah 53:7).
The centerpiece of the great commission is our sharing with the world the "slaughter" of Jesus, the Lamb of God. No amount of silver or gold could redeem us from sin and death, but only Jesus' shedding of His holy, precious blood, His innocent suffering and death.
"Sir (Ma'am), exactly what is the wine on the menu here?" Again, our server might tell us something Isaiah said. "And in this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all people a feast of choice pieces, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of well-refined wines on the lees" (25:6). Wines on the lees were well-fermented and preserved wines. The phrase underscores that the banquet described is God's gospel, salvation full and free for all people.
Yes, Wisdom "has furnished her table"! This is no eat-on-the-run snack, no bagged or tin-bucket lunch. It's a table furnished with elegant surroundings and the best of service. It's truly a meal fit for a king.
There still is room! His house is not yet filled, Not all the guests are there.
Oh, bring them in! Their hunger shall be stilled With bread, yea, bread to spare.
Go, call them from the lanes and byways, From winding roads and crowded highways.
There still is room! There still is room!
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 509:1)
