What is it about sitting around a table with others? Have you ever been in a busy restaurant, seen a couple alone at a large table, and asked to sit with them? We have, sort of. It was a long time ago on a cross-country road trip. Now, mind you, it was a camping ground in northern Idaho and we were under the pavilion by the small fire pit trying to cook a palatable supper. They were from Canada and it turned out to be a highlight of our trip. We laughed until our stomachs hurt and it is a night we will never forget – I wonder if they are still together and think about that time? We certainly do!
I’m not sure when tables came into use – I doubt Adam and Eve had one. But, we know Abraham had some table experience…
He took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he (Abraham) stood by them under the tree (the table) as they ate. Genesis 18.8 (ESV)
Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar (the table), on top of the wood. Genesis 22.9 (ESV)
The prophet of God, Samuel, announced the first king of Israel (Saul) at a table…
Samuel took Saul and his servant and led them into the dining hall at the shrine and seated them at the head of the table. There were about thirty guests. Then Samuel directed the chef, “Bring the choice cut I pointed out to you, the one I told you to reserve.” 1 Samuel 9.22-27 (Message)
How can we talk about “the table” without thinking of our friend Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s lame son? One of the great grace examples of the Old Testament. (I wrote about it here.)
David then called in Ziba, Saul’s right-hand man, and told him, “Everything that belonged to Saul and his family, I’ve handed over to your master’s grandson. You and your sons and your servants will work his land and bring in the produce, provisions for your master’s grandson. Mephibosheth himself, your master’s grandson, from now on will take all his meals at my table.” 2 Samuel 9.1-13
Jesus loved sitting at the table with His friends – can you even imagine how awesome those table conversations were? I, for one, believe Jesus was fun to be friends with while He walked this earth. And, He loved to break bread with folks He loved.
He stopped in at the home of Mary and Martha in Bethany, to sit at their table often…Luke 10.38-42
Jesus first miracle was probably performed around the table at a wedding! John 2.1-11
Jesus served a couple of really huge meals at tables made with blankets on the ground! Matthew 15.29-39 and Matthew 14.13-21
Jesus sat at the table of a tax collector (for shame!). Luke 5.27-32
Jesus had two very uncomfortable table experiences with Pharisees. Luke 7.36 and Luke 14
The Table was important in biblical accounts and I believe it’s important today. I love sitting at a table with friends, enjoying a meal, and fellowship. We don’t do it enough but now that the weather is finally changing I definitely have plans for a few summer table events!
I love the turquoise table movement and if we lived in a neighborhood situation I’m sure we’d have one. Kristin Schell taught us how to become “front yard people.”
The Table…
Important then…
Important now…
Who are you going to invite to your table?
xo
(Kudos to Bible Gateway for their awesome online resources!)
Susan, this post is just wonderful. I love how you traced the use of tables in the Bible, and in addition to delighting in my patient husband and my crazy boys all around my table, you’ve challenged me to be pondering who else should be sitting there.
Michele, you are the Queen of encouragement!!! Thank you. If you didn’t live so dang far away, you could invite US!!! xo
Thank-you for this lovely post! It reminds me of our time in East Asia, our table often had someone different at it! Local friends or foreign workers. And I agree, it is amazing how God designed our lives to have 3x a day where we would need to stop and eat- and fellowship. Thanks for sharing!
Brooke, and I’m sure your table there was low to the ground? Our good, good Father is all about relationship. AMEN!
Wonderful post, neighbor. Sitting around a table with family and friends is a blessing for sure. And, indeed, how fun it ‘d be to share a meal with Jesus! Thank you! Abundant blessings to you!
Mari-Anna, most likely HE is already at our tables!!! Yes?
As I started reading your post, I thought of Mephibosheth too! What a lovely post! One of my joys is being around the table with my family and friends. Bless you!
Lora, do you not adore the story of grace and Mephib?
The timing of your post is perfect for me. God has been nudging me recently to create community around my own table. I do enjoy cooking but when you live alone sometimes the thought of inviting people over seems like a lot of work. But this idea keeps reoccurring so I know that God isn’t going to stop until I do something about it. The best part is that I’m not just supposed to invite people I know to sit around my table. That is a bit daunting to say the least. It’s all part of my brave journey! Thank you for words that I needed to hear today!
Oh my, Mary, confirming words are just so, so confirming. LOL!!! Invite me and my daughter and two grands. We’ll be in Cin OH end of August!!!! xo
Love this, Susan! I thought of Psalm 23, and how He prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies…such peace, that He is always working behind the scenes to prepare a table before us…no matter what enemies are present (spiritual, emotional, physical) … Jesus is in the center at the table with us…knowing He is with me at the table causes all my enemies to go “strangely dim” in the Light of His Glory and Grace…many blessings to you sweet friend!
I can’t believe I didn’t mention Psalm 23!!! Thanks, Beth!
Breaking bread around the table with friends and family is one of my most favorite things in this world. In the words of Annie F. Downs, it is something that I always say as “lovely.” Last summer, in Nashville, Jen D, my sister and I went to a restaurant where you sit down with strangers at a table and are served family style. We were apprehensive, but it was such a good home cooked meal and it was fun to visit with these new people in our life. Have you read Shauna Niequest’s book “Bread and Wine?” In her book, breaking bread around the table is exactly what she talks about…in all its various forms in our lives. I cannot wait until the day you and I get to break bread around a table together! 🙂
Tara, I believe we will break bread around a table together, this side of heaven!
I had a turquoise table for years. I painted it from a Good Will find for my first apartment. I didn’t know there was a movement now:) I love gathering with family and friends around the table.
Ginger! Yes, did you go the link?
What a great reminder and challenge to us, Susan. The “table” is a place of gathering for not just the feast of food, but the feast of love and laughter. You’ve nudged me to make those times happen more and more as the warm weather comes our way. 🙂
I loved hearing the history of the table and thinking of Jesus at the table. I’ve grown away from this wonderful tradition. We gather at the table as a family for meals, but even that gets rarer as my oldest, teen son has tae kwon do several nights a week. Your post inspired me to revive the heart of coming to the table together. Bless you.
I don’t have any family around me now and I love to cook. So I invite friends who I know have hectic days or who aren’t feeling well over to dinner. At holidays I made three dinners two went to two separate families forced to live in a cheap motel to keep from being homeless with no way to cook but did have a microwave to warm it up and a small fridge to store leftovers. Then the third I drove to Raleigh smelling pies in the back of my car and fixed my third Thanksgiving dinner for two of my sisters and my nephew. I also made pies for my favorite doctors before I left it helped pass the time and let me pay it forward.
Shirley, I am just so glad to know you visit my blog! I love your heart of serving and hospitality. You are blessing others!!!
Wonderful! We go out for brunch after church each SONday……..to a small country diner….which is popular. If there is room at a table that already has occupants we often ask them if we can join them. It has always been enjoyable…….an f2f if we g et a table and a couple comes in who would have to wait….We ask if they would like to join us. Fun!
Our own dining room table has had lots and lots of visitors over the years. Hospitality!!
You, my dear, are the Queen of hospitality!
Dear Susan … you bring the call to hospitality and grace to life! What a beautiful walk through the Scriptures and a needed challenge to live it out today.
Loved this!
Thanks Linda!!!
Such a wonderful post! There is something special which happens around a meal. I often think it is sacred and holy, an intimate sharing of lives. I loved this post!
Thanks for coming by,Joanne.
super post, friend – tweeted and pinned (even at my age) – i’d love to offer your readers my book on God’s hositality if you want to do a giveaway on hosting for Jesus’s sake -or the Bible Study – let me know! you can see them on my site or amazon
I love your story of camping w/ the Canadians – i’m sure they remember!!
Now, if I only knew how to do a give-away!!!
Great points! I had never thought about doing a Bible study on tables before. Very insightful!
Do a search on the word – tables are everywhere in Scripture!!
I’m so behind in reading & writing. But, I am so glad that I keep this tab open and that I read it this morning. Great timing!!
I’m glad you did too!
I didn’t expect this when I read the title, I expected a family dinner or something to that affect, but I am so happy you jumped to the use of the table through history and how it connects us. It often makes me sad how the kids no longer want to eat at the table with us, or eat at different ties altogether. It is such a blessing to sit down, catch up, chat or even sit in silence and simply enjoy the presence of our people. Homework gets done at our table, baking, cleaning, long chats, bickering, meals are eaten and even the dog has claimed himself a chair (he is short). I am hoping for nice weather this week so I can get my son to pull out the table and chairs for the deck so that I can sit outside and watch him play, talk to him, read my Bible and write! Thanks for your wise words Susan!
So, I surprised you? xo