Culture of the Kingdom
Today’s Topic: Breaking of Bread: Fellowship Around the Table
Scripture: Exodus 24:9-11
Greetings Kingdom Citizens
When we talk about breaking bread most times it happens around a table at dinner, lunch or even at church. But why is this the setting where this typically happens and where does it come from? Today we will look at scripture and see how fellowship around the table and the breaking of bread coincide. First, the act of eating together sets an atmosphere to impart the understanding of who God is to those who have gathered in that connnection. It is at that time that the Lord imparts bread from Heaven to feed our spirits through revelation. Now we have four examples of this and for the sake of time and study we will cover what we can and continue in another message.
One of the things I enjoy is after Bible study we sit down and eat together. Now conversation can range from fishing to sports to the Word of God. Now when we talk about the Word the atmosphere utterly changes. People around the table intensively listen and share the Word and there is an atmosphere or revelation and joy. It is this precious time that the Lord breaks the bread of Heaven with those around the table and feeds their spirits. Do not think that it only happens in this setting only. It happens on the phone, internet, church, home etc. For the sake of this particular message we will look at the table. See around the table there is an atmosphere of relaxation and less of defense and aggression. This is why it is important for families to dine together because just as we do this in the natural, in the spiritual the same thing happens. Now let's look at scripture.
Exodus 24:9-11: Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu and the seventy of the elders of Israel: And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under His feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the Body of heaven in his clearness.And upon the nobles of the children of Israel He laid not His hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.
What a picture we see here. Now what is unique is that these 74 people had the priviledge to see something that no pagan can claim to have seen about their god. See pagan gods always require sacrifices and the relationship between these gods and the people who follow them are kept at a far distance. It presents a mindset that you could never approach God and God is always demanding and people had to perform. But for these 74 people they experienced something altogether that showed them something different about the God of Israel.
First they noticed the God would put Himself in a place where man can be comfortable in His presence. Despite the Law and all the prohibitions and condemnations, God would bridge the gap so that man can be comfortable in His presence. God did that with these 74 leaders of Israel. Now when these men returned to the people there was no doubt that they can say with assurance that in the presence of God you can relax find peace, joy and fellowship. Where is the fellowship in this picture? Exodus 24:11 says they saw God and did eat and drink. Now it does not say what they ate or drank however the most important thing is that there were able to have fellowship with God right where He was. Now it is possible they ate and drank physical food but in turn and moreover they ate bread from Heaven which is the Word of God. The words God spoke to them feeds also. Now there is something else that happens here in the presence of God but for the sake of time and study I will pick this up in the next message.
At the Father’s Service,
Elder Calvin Calhoun Jr.
