You Prepare A Table Before Me In The Presence Of My Enemies
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Psalm 23:5-You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
The 23rd Psalm is one of the most beloved and well known Scriptures throughout the world. Many are not aware that this passage is actually part of a series of other Psalms, joined together by theme, and all designed to be prophecies of Jesus Christ.
“However, there is significant and considerable evidence from the original Hebrew language of the book itself that proves that it is not a haphazard collection. Evidence of repeated words or expressions from one psalm to another indicates every chapter should be understood in the light of those around it. Psalms are chained together with unique vocabulary, and these are signposts from the author that they belong together and should be read accordingly. They also shed light on the message intended by the order. The immediate context of Ps 23 is its location between Pss 22 and 24, although the larger context including Pss 20 and 21 is important for its interpretation as well. Between Pss 23 and the previous Pss 20-22, there are matching and also deliberately contrasted terms that create a meaningful sequence and message….“If the gospel writers read Ps 22 as prophecy, there is a good chance that they read the following Ps 23 likewise. There is also evidence from ancient times that both Christian and Jewish interpreters read it as messianic prophecy.[ 5] The repeated language and concepts between Pss 20 and 21, and also between Pss 21 and 22, indicates they were intentionally placed together. Both speak repeatedly of the messianic king who is granted salvation[ 6] out of trouble (Ps 20: 5[ 6], 6[ 7], 9[ 10], and Ps 21: 1[ 2], 5[ 6]).[ 7] Ps 20: 5 Let us rejoice in your salvation Ps 20: 6a …the Lord has saved his anointed/ messiah Ps 20: 6b by the strength of the salvation of his right hand Ps 20: 9 Lord save the king Ps 21: 1 the king… how he will exceedingly exult in your salvation Ps 21: 5 his glory is great through your salvation It is no coincidence that it is only Ps 20’ s final half and Ps 21’ s first half that repeat the particular word “salvation.” The deliberate linking of the two psalms is explicit and there are more examples. Psalm 20: 6[ 7] refers to him as “his anointed one (messiah)” and then in verse 9[ 10] as “the king.” Immediately following in Ps 21: 1 he is mentioned again as “the king,” as well as in verse seven. Remarkably, it is the last verse of Ps 20 that matches the word “king,” found in the first verse of Ps 21. This is further proof of a deliberate juxtaposition of the two psalms. Ps 20: 6 his anointed one Ps 20: 9 the king Ps 21: 1 the king Ps 21: 7 the king It is the same king messiah whom God saves or delivers in each psalm. In all the above examples of Pss 20-21 the salvation is certain. By contrast, Ps 22: 1[ 2] quotes the same king complaining over the fact that his salvation or rescue is absent and distant from him. Instead of salvation he is experiencing terrible suffering. Psalm 22 portrays that suffering at length, and then not only speaks of answers to it in verses 22-31[ 22-32], but also describes his restoration. Psalm 23 explains his restoration as resurrection from the dead. These psalms describe the same king presented at the book’s introductory Pss 1-2 and in the intervening Pss 3-19. As noted above, Ps 20: 6[ 7] calls him the “Lord’s anointed,” which is the same title Ps 2: 2 gives him. Undoubtedly it is the same messianic king described in both.[ 8]” (Robert Cole, Why Psalm 23 Is Not About You, 33-82 (Kindle Edition))
Psalm 22 is one of the most profound prophetic passages in Scripture about the death of the Messiah, followed by His time in Hades (before His resurrection from the dead). Psalm 23 elaborates on these themes, describing Jesus time in Hades and His resurrection, while Psalm 24 focuses on His Ascension to Heaven. It is a beautiful picture of Christ, written a thousand years before He was even born.
Right in the middle of Psalm 23 is this intriguing statement that God prepares a table in the presence of the Messiah’s enemies.
What’s up with this table?
First, the passage clearly shows that there are enemies of the Messiah. This goes back to what was said in the preceding Psalm:
Psalm 22:12-Many bulls have surrounded Me; Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled Me.
Bashan was considered by the Jewish people to be the gateway to Hell, since it was the site where some of the fallen angels covenanted against God by producing the half-angelic and half-human hybrids known as the Nephilim (Genesis 6:1-4). Bulls often represented spiritual beings in both the Bible and extra-biblical literature and religion. Hence, the bulls of Bashan were demonic forces that were present at Golgotha when Jesus was crucified.
“But the psalmist wasn’t shown a vision of angry bulls from the Golan Heights surrounding Christ on the cross. He was given a glimpse into the future at spirits from Bashan, demonic entities represented by bulls, who surrounded the cross to celebrate what they thought was their victory over the Messiah. Confirming this interpretation of Psalm 22: 12, Old Testament scholar Dr. Robert D. Miller II recently used archaeological and climatological evidence to prove that “the phrase Bulls of Bashan refers not to the bovine but to the divine, [and] moreover that Iron Age Bashan would have been a terrible land for grazing and the last place to be famous for beef or dairy cattle.” (Derek P. Gilbert, Last Clash of the Titans: The Second Coming of Hercules, Leviathan, and the Prophesied War Between Jesus Christ and the Gods of Antiquity, 80 (Kindle Edition); Crane, MO; Defender Publishing)
These enemies are seen to be boasting in triumph at the death of Jesus in Psalm 22, but in Psalm 23 they are kept at bay by the Shepherd. There is a turn around that takes place here, and one that should not be lost on us. There will be times when the enemies of God’s people will appear to be victorious, and they will likewise gloat and rejoice over our downfall. Yet when we walk with the Lord, one day the tables will be turned (pun intended)! We will be the victors!
Second, there is some discussion about the significance of the meaning of the table itself. Many commentators believe the reference is to a feast that the shepherd provides for his sheep, while the once gloating enemies are now forced to watch the victory celebration of the sheep. In essence, it is suggesting that Satan and his followers (demonic and human) are defeated and are now having to watch the Lord triumph in Jesus resurrection, powerless to stop Him.
This is certainly true!
The enemies of God will be defeated, and we will be triumphant and vindicated.
Yet there may be another idea at work here as well. You see, in the ancient world, tables were also used not only as a symbol for feasting, but for fellowship. The table here could be suggesting not only refreshment with friends, but also reconciliation with enemies.
“My studies in Archaeology cry out: “Hold it, wait one doggone minute!” Why are we so quick to assume that the table represents a banquet or feast or even having a meal? This only says that God prepares a table. Just a table, no feast, no banquet, simply a table. The word table in Hebrew is shulachan, which comes from the root word shalach, which is a word used for moving toward a goal or resolution. So, what does that have to do with a table? Another word in Hebrew for table is tavala, which is a board or plank of wood. That is what comes to my mind when I hear the word table. Shulachan is a different, special table. A table of reaching a goal or resolution to a problem. Shalach, in its Semitic root, has the idea of sending forth a message. Again, what does that have to do with a table? Today, in our culture, tables are all over the place. It is a plank of wood or some other study material that sets on legs so you can sit in a chair next to it to eat, write, play cards, or whatever. In ancient times, tables were quite rare. As a rule, ancient Mideastern people did not sit at a table to eat. They often just sat on the ground and shared from a common plate. Tables did exist and were occasionally used when feasting…However, this being a feast before one’s enemies suggests something very old and traditional among Middle Easterners. When one wanted to reconcile with his enemy, he would often invite him to share a meal. This would involve a table where all the food and drinks were on display. The drinks and food would all be tasted by professional tasters. If they did not keel over, then it was a sure sign that the food and drinks were not poisoned, as you can probably guess that if you’ve invited your enemy to a pow-wow, he is going to suspect something sinister. So, you would need a table to lay out the food, and both sides would eat from a common plate. Thus, if the food was poisoned, they would all go down. This would be the setting to build trust, and when trust is built, negotiations would begin to resolve whatever conflict needed a resolution. So, my picture here is of David declaring that God is working to create a peaceful solution with his enemies, to do the right thing, and to try to work out one’s differences before things got physical or turned into a war. Even today, in the Middle East, conflicts are often resolved around a table and a meal. So, here is an alternative picture we may find in this verse: that God setting a table for us in the presence of our enemies is His call for us to resolve our differences peacefully, talk them out, and, if possible, end up as friends and not enemies.” (Chaim Bentorah, A Hebrew Teacher Explores Psalm 23: Discovering Life’s Journey, 89-91 (Kindle Edition): Travelers Rest, SC: True Potential, Inc.)
What God accomplished at Calvary has the potential to provide reconciliation between God and fallen beings in Heaven and on Earth.
Colossians 1:16-20-For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
Only when we are walking with the Lord can we truly enjoy the abundance of His table.
And it is only when we are walking with the Lord that we can find hope of reconciliation with even our bitterest enemies.
Lord, thank You for the promise of Your care. Please continue to provide for all of our needs-physical, spiritual, emotional, social, financial-as we live in this world. Please make a way for us to be reconciled with our enemies. We thank You. Amen.