Table Among Enemies
It’s one of the most famous lines in one of the most famous songs: “You spread a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (Psalm 23).
Israel knows very well that this is what Yahweh the Shepherd does. This is how Israel was born as a people - by slaughtering a Passover lamb or goat, spreading blood, and feasting in the midst of their Egyptian enemies.
Also at Sinai: Yahweh cuts covenant with Israel, and the ceremony ends with Israel’s representatives on the slopes of Sinai, dining in the presence of Yahweh: “And He did not stretch out His hand against them” (Exodus 24). He might have, as He stretched out His hand against Egypt (Exodus 3:20; 9:15) and Egyptianized Hebrews, but He didn’t. He might have been Israel’s enemy, but wasn’t.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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