Joel 1:14,16 (ESV) —
14 Consecrate a fast;
call a solemn assembly.
Gather the elders
and all the inhabitants of the land
to the house of the Lord your God,
and cry out to the Lord. …
16 Is not the food cut off
before our eyes,
joy and gladness
from the house of our God?
NOTE: I'm not sure
if the Prophet is saying that the actions are from the House of God or that joy
and gladness are not found in the house of God. I would not say joy and
gladness come from a building, unless the prophet is using the house of God
metaphorically as a relationship with the most high. We do meet with people in
houses (homes) and share a meal. Many of the required sacrifices also included
a meal at the temple to share the sacrifice. The food was sacrificed but also
eaten by those participating in the sacrifice (a lack of sacrifices would mean
less sacrificial meals). A meal with friends is a good way to build
relationships. A meal with God is probably also a good way to build a
relationship with God. In Rev 3:20, Jesus says he stands at the door and
knocks, and that if anyone would open the door, he would come in and eat with
them and they with him. While the verse was written to a church, it is
completely accurate description of a relationship with God developed through
communion. Meals are one example of communion.
PRAYER: Father, I
don't often think of a time of eating as also a time of communion with you. We
pray and thank you for the meal. But maybe we should more often include a
discussion of the things you are doing in our life during the meal, in order to
make you more a part of our communions with others.
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