Eating occurs throughout the Bible. Relationships in the Old Testament were affirmed by breaking bread together. Treaties were sealed with meals. The covenant with God was reaffirmed by ritual feasts. The word for “covenant” possibly had its origin in the Hebrew word for eating that occurs 810 times in the Old Testament Hebrew and nine (9) times in Aramaic.
Think for a moment and answer the question, “What does every human being have in common? ” The answer is that we all have to eat to live. What do all Christians have in common? Jesus commanded us all to eat his body and drink the cup and do so in remembrance of Him. Eating is one of the few activities of life that every human being has in common. Hidden within an invitation to eat with someone is the message that says, “I like you.” “I care enough about you to share my meal with you” or “I want to bond with you in some way.”
Those with whom you dine with will not necessarily express those words, but the message is quite clear that when we break bread together and table fellowship, barriers of all kinds disappear and bonds are made. Physical bonds, emotional bonds, spiritual bonds. It’s not everyone you eat and drink with, that’s how you get poisoned emotionally, physically, and spiritually … and if you eat from every bowl and every place you will die soon …
More so, anytime the issue of food comes up the theme of hunger also appears. We have all kinds of hunger. Emotional hunger, physical hunger, and spiritual hunger. Every hunger must be fed with the correct kind of food, or else you may think you are satisfied today only to realize you are in crisis tomorrow as a result of the food you ate.
Change of perception/ mindset using education:
The young men were put through an intense re-education process for three years, during each time they were taught the language, literature, and culture of the Babylonians before entering the king’s service. In other words, every possible effort was made to make them forget the God of their people, and embrace Babylonian’s pagan culture. Instead, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah remained true to God throughout their years in Babylon.
The Babylonians tried to change their thinking and psychology by giving them a Babylonian education. Some of you are receiving all sorts of education on different issues from friends, lovers, colleagues, family members and it doesn’t sit right with you but you are there anyway. Let’s take a cue from Daniel, without compromising – He found a way to live by God’s standards in a culture that did not honor God. Wisely choosing to negotiate rather than to rebel – Daniel suggested an experimental 10-diet, of vegetables and water instead of the royal foods and wine the king offered without compromising; Daniel quickly thought of a practical creative solution that saved his life and lives companions. As God’s people – we may adjust our culture as long as we do not compromise God’s law.
I prophesy into your life and I pray for the “anointing God gave Daniel” for you, I prophesy into your life abundance in knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. I prophesy into your life the ability to have and understand visions and dreams of all kinds. I pray for abundance in wisdom and discernment for you.
