On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine – the best of meats and the finest of wines.
Isaiah 25:6
Since last week, you can get a voucher for a reduction on your meal out. It’s one of the chancellor of the exchequer’s generous schemes to stimulate the economy, especially the food industry. Many have missed their meal out and restaurant visits. Eating and food is central to every community and culture. From the curries of India, the chow meins of Asia, the pizza and lasagne of Italy to the humble welshcake and cawl of our homeland these delicacies bind us together in friendship and appreciation of our communal meals. We all have sweet memories of being around the breakfast, lunch or dinner table, a picnic or party enjoying not only the plate of food in front of us but the company of friends or family too.
From the very beginning of the Bible in Genesis 2:16 when the Lord commanded “You are free to eat…” up until the final “wedding supper of the Lamb” in Rev 19:9 Scripture is positive about food as a means of celebration, grace and God’s generous provision both naturally and spiritually. On the great night of Passover there was a meal of roasted lamb, bitter herbs and bread. During the wilderness there was quail and manna. The giving of the law on Sinai where God covenanted with his people was a solemn time but as “they saw God…they ate and drank” (Exodus 24:11). The land of promise was characterised by flowing milk and honey. The Lord promised to protect his people and even “prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (Psalms 23:5). At the time when the exiles returned “…all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them” (Nehemiah 8:12).
Isaiah invites the people “‘Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labour on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare” (Isaiah 55:1-2).
So today “Taste and see the Lord is good.” Enjoy the gospel feast. By faith feed your mind and heart on the healthy diet of Bible truth. Satisfy your appetite, thirst and hunger as you fellowship with our Saviour Jesus.
Meirion Thomas, Malpas Road