"They Beheld God And Did Eat And Drink"

by Jarvis, A. G. | Category: General | Sept 1959

(Exodus 24.11)

There is something very striking about the facts joined in the above text. "They beheld God." What a moment of glory was theirs! an uplifting and awe-inspiring revelation of God's greatness; yet associated with the vision we read the words, they "did eat and drink." This reminds us of those other words, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10.81).

In the passage recorded in Exodus, the ordinary things of life are closely related to its high moments, for it is in the small things of life that the great things are tested. It is futile to imagine that in the power of some moment of high vision, we shall be able to do exploits, if we are failing in the relatively small things of life to sanctify them to His glory. "Do all things to the glory of God." What a standard is here set before us

The trivial round, the common task

Will furnish all we need to ask."

Indeed, the words, "They beheld God, and did eat and drink," include for us the entire range of life's experiences, from the highest spiritual joys to the simple everyday material needs. Thus every meal may be a means of fellowship, as we lift our hearts in true thanksgiving. Failure in the reverential act of giving thanks was the first step in the downward course of man's original departure from the knowledge of God, as recorded in Romans 1. 21.

"They neither gave thanks."

"And they shall eat those things wherewith atonement was made" (Exodus 29.33). Aaron and his sons were to be separate from others even in the smaller details of their lives. The distinguishing features of their dress, alliances, inheritances and food, all point to the same lesson, namely that they were persons separated to the service of God.

We, too, who claim to be a "holy priesthood," and also a "royal priesthood," need to lay to heart this solemn truth. Men who minister in the holy things must themselves be holy, as it is written,

Ye shall be holy, for I am holy" (1 Peter 1.16). Moreover those who "wait upon the altar have their portion with the altar" (1 Corinthians 9.18). Those who would proclaim" Christ crucified" must themselves be feeding on Him. Their inner life must be Christ supported and sustained, so that what they proclaim to others is a constant and vital reality to themselves. By feeding upon the sacrifice the precious truths of His atonement become increasingly real, and, instead of the atoning work of Christ being a "truth we hold," it will become a "truth that holds us" and be the great central power in our lives.

Jarvis, A. G. | Sept 1959
General