In the Presence of My Enemies

Today we continue in our study of Psalm 23. We've made it to verse 5. This is perhaps the strangest verse in Psalm 23. It's well known; however, the meaning is likely lost to many.

You know the words: "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over." Today we'll look at this verse in a couple of different ways. Let's begin by looking at the verse as a sheep, to a sheep.

The table mentioned here is not a table like we have in our homes. It's a plateau in the hills that the shepherd will take as sheep to in the summertime. In the southwestern United States, I believe they would call this a mesa. Before the sheep are led to this table, the shepherd goes to prepare the land. He'll make sure that there's an abundance of grass, he'll remove any dangerous weeds, he'll make sure there are no predators around.

So as we think of sheep, the shepherd prepares the table for them. We're likely confused by this part: "in the presence of my enemies." I said a moment ago that the shepherd will make sure that there are no predators around. This includes wolves or lions or bears, but it also includes nasal bot flies.

These flies are a horrible enemy to the sheep. They try to lay their eggs in the nose, the wet mucous membrane of the sheep, and it can really damage the sheep. They can cause blindness, madness, and even death. What does the shepherd do to protect the sheep from this enemy? He anoints their heads with oil.

The oil is a preventative measure to keep these flies from causing damage. "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil." Makes perfect sense for the sheep. But what about the cup running over?

As you know, sheep can't hold a cup, don't use a cup, but like us, they need water to drink. We've already talked about still water in verse two. She loves still water, but not running. Have you ever noticed water coming out of a rocky face, a rocky area of a cliff?

When we drive to Nashville, we have to drive over Monteagle on tennis, in Tennessee, and there's always water running out of the cliffs that they've cut to make the highways. What the shepherds were known to do was to dam up or even chisel out part of the rock to make a bowl or a cup that continually was refreshed by running water. The cup literally runeth over, and the sheep had life-giving water always.

Obviously, we need to know what these words mean for us, not just for the sheep. So let's look at these words from verse 5 in regards to people: "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with all; my cup runs over."

There's an interesting story in Judges chapter one. There we are told that after the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked God which tribe should attack the Canaanites so the promised land could be theirs. They're told the tribe of Judah should go, and the Lord gave the Israelites victory. I'll begin reading it, verse 5 of Judges one:

"While at Bezek, they encountered King Adonai Bezak and fought against him, and the Canaanites and the parasites were defeated. Adonai Bezak escaped, but the Israelites soon captured him and cut off his thumbs and big toes. Adonai Bezak said, I once had 70 kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off eating scraps under my table. Now God has paid me back for what I did to them."

Let me paint a picture for you. Think about a grand banquet in a great hall long ago. Music is playing, and food and drink are everywhere, and at the table sent the king and his victorious army. In a corner of the room, picture captured kings and high-ranking officers behind bars or chained to something, with no thumbs or big toes.

The enemy has been defeated. Without thumbs, they could never wield a sword again. Without big toes, they had lost a great deal of their mobility; they could not take a fighting stance. They're no longer a threat.

The king may anoint soldiers with oil as a reward and as a great honor. And of course, at this banquet there's plenty to drink, and no cup would be empty. In fact, they would just run over.

Let's apply this for us. What are your enemies? I can list a few that are common: doubt, fear, anger, lust, addiction, depression. I could make a long list.

You need to know that God can give you an abundant life and change you and bless you in the presence of all of those old defeated enemies. He can anoint you and give you over overflowing love and grace. It is my prayer that you know that you are welcome at God's table. Come, sit, enjoy, and never be afraid of the enemies around you. God has defeated them on the cross. Let him anoint you, and may your cup always overflow.

Pray with me. Father, thank you for these words from the 23rd Psalm. Thank you for being the great Shepherd that takes care of us. Help us to no longer have fear of our enemies. You've defeated them, and you've given us victory. Help us to live that way, always with our cups running over. In Jesus' name, amen.

God bless. Thanks for joining me.