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And David says: “Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a recompense to them.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Blessings can become a trap if taken for granted.<\/p>\n The word \u201clet<\/span>\u201d is translated from a form of ginomai<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto cause to be\u201d or \u201cto become.\u201d It is expressed here in the imperative mood indicating a command. Though in English we often interpret the word \u201clet\u201d as \u201callow,\u201d it is used here and elsewhere in the Bible as a command to cause something to be.<\/p>\n The word \u201ctable<\/span>\u201d is from trapedza<\/em><\/span>, which is made up of tetra<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cfour\u201d and pedza<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cfoot.\u201d Hence, it refers to something having four feet, like a table. It is used here as a metonym, referring to the feast that is on the table.<\/p>\n \u201cSnare<\/span>\u201d is from pagis<\/em><\/span>, \u201cthat which is set-up or fixed in place.\u201d It is the word that is used to refer to a snare or a trap.<\/p>\n The word \u201ctrap<\/span>\u201d is from th\u0113ra<\/em><\/span>, referring to \u201ca hunt for an animal,\u201d which usually ended up in the animal being caught in a net or other inescapable trap.<\/p>\n \u201cStumbling block<\/span>\u201d comes from skandalon<\/em><\/span>, which refers to \u201cthe trigger of a trap on which the bait is placed.\u201d<\/p>\n The word translated \u201crecompense<\/span>\u201d is antapodoma<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cthe penalty which is justly deserved.\u201d<\/p>\n In this verse and the following Paul makes a very curious quotation from a psalm of King David. This quotation (though not exact) is from Psalms 69:22, 23<\/strong><\/span> which reads:<\/p>\n Let their table become a snare before them, and their well-being a trap. Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see; and make their loins shake continually.<\/span><\/p>\n But notice also the verse that comes just before this:<\/p>\n They also gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.<\/span> (Psalms 69:21<\/strong><\/span>)<\/p>\n This passage is talking about the Messiah, the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, while he was hanging on the cross paying the penalty for all of our sins. While He was hanging on the cross, they were enjoying the blessings He had provided for them as God\u2019s chosen people. But in the midst of their enjoyment of the benefits of God\u2019s blessing, they were blinded by their appetites regarding the truth that was right in front of them. They were so busy enjoying the temporary, physical blessings which God had provided for them, they totally missed the eternal, spiritual blessings they should have received if they had only believed in the One they were killing. They were ensnared by their appetites, resulting in the penalty which they justly deserved.<\/p>\n Paul will finish his thought, and the condemnation of the unbelieving Jews, in the next verse.<\/p>\n This is a warning to all of us not to take God\u2019s blessings for granted. All of the temporal things that we have, our health, our welfare, our possessions, our freedom, our peace, are a direct gift from God and He can take away any or all of them at any moment. So, instead of taking them for granted, let\u2019s stop right now and thank our Heavenly Father for them. Let\u2019s release the right to have them to the One who truly owns them, and then trust in His care and provision for us.<\/p>\n I think it\u2019s time to pray.<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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