Not Desirous of the Ruler's Dainties - Proverbs 23:3

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “when you sit to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before you, and put a knife to your throat, if you be a man given to appetite”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse three of Proverbs Solomon said, “be not desirous of his dainties” where we read,

Be not desirous of his dainties:

for they are deceitful meat.

The verse begins, “Be not desirous of his dainties:” Solomon began with the words, “be not desirous” or “do not be inclined, covet, wait longingly, wish, prefer or be greedy” “of his dainties” which means “for his, the ruler's, tasty, savory and delectable food”. Solomon said his readers and listeners were not to longingly covet the savory and delectable foods of the “ruler”.

The verse goes on to say, “for they are deceitful meat.” Solomon continued with the words, “for they” or “because, since and on account that they, the delectable foods” “are deceitful meat” which means “exist as lying, untruthful, false and deceptive bread or food”. Solomon said the food of the royal ruler is false and deceptive. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover through Solomon how we are not to have a passion for the tasty foods of authorities which are false and deceptive. God wants us to be aware that people will attempt to influence us by offering foods and gifts, and we are not to be deceived by them. God desires to have a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield our lives to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and make us aware of authorities who would deceptively attempt to control us with their “dainties”.

Next time Solomon says, “labor not to be rich”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".