Genesis 35:14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with HIM, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon. And Jacob called the name of the place where GOD spake with him, Beth-el. [King James translation]
Numbers 6:17 And he shall offer the ram for a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD, with the basket of unleavened bread: the priest shall offer also his meat offering, and his drink offering. [King James translation]
John 7:37 On the last day, the climax of the holidays, JESUS shouted to the crowds, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to ME and drink." [Living Bible translation.]
2 Timothy 4:6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness....
[New International translation]
Summary:
One of the first recorded occurrences of a drink offering was when GOD appeared to Jacob, blessed him and changed his name to Israel. Jacob called the place where GOD met him and communed with him, Bethel, meaning "house of GOD." Then, Jacob built a stone alter and worshipped GOD, and poured out a drink offering to GOD.
The drink offering became a part of the Israelite worship service. In addition to the burnt grain offering or animal sacrifice of the ram, the drink offering, along with oil, was made to GOD with other offerings. It was part of the service to GOD.
When JESUS offered HIMSELF as a living sacrifice to GOD, HE also became our "drink offering." In John 7.37, HE invites everyone to drink of HIM. At the Passover supper, it is written that: HE took a cup and giving thanks for it gave it to HIS disciples and instructed them (and us) to "drink" for "this is MY BLOOD," symbolic of HIS drink offering "HIS SACRIFICIAL BLOOD," which HE would soon shed for us. HE asked us to commemorate HIS DRINK OFFERING by taking communion with one another and in our worship service to GOD, in remembrance of HIM (JESUS). Our communion is to be symbolic of our recognition of HIM, our worship of GOD, our fellowship with each other and the repentance of our sins, which we were to acknowledge [to GOD] through self-examination during our communion worship. The drink is in remembrance, to worship and, like the Israelites, the drink offering is a symbolic request for forgiveness of our sins.
In 2 Timothy 4:6, Paul reminds us that all disciples of CHRIST must become like HIM, a "sacrificial offering" or a "drink offering" to GOD with our very lives. Paul cannot BE HIM, but we must all strive to be like HIM, pouring ourselves out to HIM daily, with the guidance, direction and help of HIS HOLY SPIRIT, in us. Our lives are not our own.
THE DRINK LIBATION
The libation to honor GOD or to honor the spirit of one who has died is a ritual prevalent in many cultures. In ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, and ancient Rome the libation was part of their religious practices and culture. In Africa, the pouring of a libation (sometimes palm wine) or water is done to invite or show homage to the ancestors and GOD. Libation practices can also be found in South American, China, Japan, Buddhism, Hinduism and Russia. For example in Russia, it is noted that one of the old traditions was to pour vodka on a grave. It is even noted that even American rappers engage in a drink libation, often depicting themselves in videos as "pouring one out" for "a dead homie." See, "Libation," www.wikipedia.org.
If only the whole world were to celebrate the real communion libation in CHRIST.
EXAMING DRINKS
Every day most of us must decide which drink to drink. For most of us it would be wise to think about our health and to consider what's in the drink. Extensive studies have shown that some drinks are high in phenols and flavonoids---antioxidants chemicals that naturally form in foods. These antioxidants help prevent chronic diseases such as heart diseases and cancer. Black tea, green tea and cocoa are drinks high in antioxidants. Reporting on a complicated chemical analysis performed by South Korean researcher Ki Won Lee, the following was noted:
- Cocoa had 611 mg of phenols and 564 mg of flavonoids.
- Green tea had 165 mg of phenols and 47 mg of flavonoids.
- Black tea had 124 mg of phenols and 34 mg of flavonoids.
In other words, cocoa had almost 3 times the antioxidants as green tea. See, "Sweet! Hot Cocoa May Prevent Heart Disease," www.wedmd.com.
Although hot cocoa may have more antioxidants than green tea, it may also have more "sugar" or other chemical, depending upon the other ingredients. So look at the big picture and decide which one or one(s) would be best for your health. As always, if you have a medical problem, consult your personal physician about your nutritional questions. And, pray for wisdom, restraint and discernment about what you should or should not drink.
OUR SPIRITUAL DRINK
Wednesday is a day of discernment, examination, making choices and prayer. Today, when we drink, let us all pray that we drink the right drink.
And today, when we look back on our last communion worship experience, let us think and pray about what occurred? Conduct a spiritual self-examination about your last communion. Some of the questions on your examination list might include the following:
THE LAST TIME I TOOK COMMUNION:
- Did I just eat a cracker, drink some grape juice, enjoyed the singing and go home?
- Did I remember JESUS during communion or was my focus on something else?
- Did I connect the drinking of the drink with HIS pouring HIMSELF out for you and me (especially for me---just for me!) on a rugged cross?
- Did I exam myself during communion? Or, did I deceive myself into thinking I had nothing to confess? If so, did I really conduct a serious self-examination?
- Did I remember to ask for forgiveness, if I did conduct a serious self-examination? Did I pray for a "clean heart and right spirit?"
- Did I ask GOD to make me a living libation, like JESUS, for HIM or did I ask for what I wanted? Are my prayers about my will or HIS WILL?
- Am I so spiritually dehydrated that I need to increase my personal Bible study, my Sunday School attendance, my group Bible study or my communion with GOD? Am I growing? Or, am I still taking a "kiddie" communion, with little insight or growth over the years?
Or, GOD may give you other questions to ask or answer.
Today, let us commune with GOD as we seek questions and answers.
Today, pray one for another as we search ourselves.
Today, let us all ask GOD to make us all thirsty to live* for HIM.
Let's all look at the big picture and BE BLESSED!
* In John 10:10 JESUS states: "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
