1261 When the Lord brought back the captive ones of Zion , We were like those who dream . 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter And our tongue with joyful shouting ; Then they said among the nations , "The Lord has done great things for them." 3 The Lord has done great things for us; We are glad .
4 Restore our captivity , O Lord , As the streams in the South . 5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting . 6 He who goes to and fro weeping , carrying his bag of seed , Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy , bringing his sheaves with him.
1271 Unless e the Lord builds the house , They labor in vain who build it; Unless e the Lord guards the city , The watchman keeps awake in vain . 2 It is vain for you to rise up early , To retire late , To eat the bread of painful labors ; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep . 3 Behold , children are a gift of the Lord , The fruit of the womb is a reward . 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior , So are the children of one's youth . 5 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies in the gate .
1281 How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord , Who walks in His ways . 2 When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands , You will be happy and it will be well with you. 3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine Within your house , Your children like olive plants Around your table . 4 Behold , for thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the Lord . 5 The Lord bless you from Zion , And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life . 6 Indeed, may you see your children's children . Peace be upon Israel !
19 What do I mean then ? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything , or that an idol is anything ? 20 No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice , they sacrifice to demons and not to God ; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons . 21 You cannot e drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons ; you cannot e partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons . 22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy ? We are not stronger than He, are we?
23 All things are lawful , but not all things are profitable . All things are lawful , but not all things edify . 24 Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor . 25 Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience' sake ; 26 FOR THE EARTH IS THE Lord'S , AND ALL IT CONTAINS . 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go , eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience' sake . 28 But if anyone says to you, "This is meat sacrificed to idols ," do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience' sake; 29 I mean not your own conscience , but the other man's; for why e is my freedom judged by another's conscience ? 30 If I partake with thankfulness , why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks ? 31 Whether , then , you eat or drink or whatever you do , do all to the glory of God . 32 Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God ; 33 just as I also please all men in all things , not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many , so that they may be saved .
(Read 1 Corinthians 10:15-22)
Did not the joining in the Lord's supper show a profession of faith in Christ crucified, and of adoring gratitude to him for his salvation ? Christians, by this ordinance, and the faith therein professed, were united as the grains of wheat in one loaf of bread, or as the members in the human body, seeing they were all united to Christ, and had fellowship with him and one another. This is confirmed from the Jewish worship and customs in sacrifice. The apostle applies this to feasting with idolaters. Eating food as part of a heathen sacrifice, was worshipping the idol to whom it was made, and having fellowship or communion with it; just as he who eats the Lord's supper, is accounted to partake in the Christian sacrifice, or as they who ate the Jewish sacrifices partook of what was offered on their altar. It was denying Christianity; for communion with Christ, and communion with devils, could never be had at once. If Christians venture into places, and join in sacrifices to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, they will provoke God.
(Read 1 Corinthians 10:23-33)
There were cases wherein Christians might eat what had been offered to idols, without sin. Such as when the flesh was sold in the market as common food, for the priest to whom it had been given. But a Christian must not merely consider what is lawful, but what is expedient, and to edify others. Christianity by no means forbids the common offices of kindness, or allows uncourteous behaviour to any, however they may differ from us in religious sentiments or practices. But this is not to be understood of religious festivals, partaking in idolatrous worship. According to this advice of the apostle, Christians should take care not to use their liberty to the hurt of others, or to their own reproach. In eating and drinking, and in all we do, we should aim at the glory of God, at pleasing and honouring him. This is the great end of all religion, and directs us where express rules are wanting. A holy, peaceable, and benevolent spirit, will disarm the greatest enemies.
