Psalm 23: The Lord Is My Shepherd — Part X

“You Prepare A Table Before Me In The Presence of My Enemies”

Traveling through Petra — The incredible ancient Nabatean City of Stone.

The line in the 23rd psalm, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies,” always confused me. Why would anyone want to hold a banquet in the midst of adversaries, in the middle of a battle? To understand this line, one has to have a profound appreciation for Middle-Eastern hospitality; a knowledge I gratefully learned first hand.

We had just finished spending the majority of our day at the incredible UNESCO heritage site of Petra in Jordan. We then jumped back into the tour bus to take the two hour drive to what is referred to as “Little Petra” (I suppose Petra’s much smaller, brother?). Upon arriving at our destination, we quickly learned the aim of our visit, was not to see the historic site, but to hopefully make a surprise visit to an acquaintance of our guide.

Inside the home of a Sheik — The tent may not look like much, but it was weaved by his wives from goat hair, which took over 7 years to complete!

We exited our bus, took the obligatory fifteen minutes to appreciate Little Petra (although astounding, after being at “Big” Petra, it lacked the same Wow-factor!), and then took a 10 minute hike away from the tourist trap, slipped around a hidden corner, where we discovered our unlikely host, an actual Jordanian Sheik. We were fortunate to be welcomed into his home, where we were invited for tea and homemade bread with his two wives and two of his young children. It was in the presence of this gentleman, we received an important and first-hand lesson in Arabic hospitality. Through the help of a translator, our guide asked our host some pretty pointed questions, as we sat listening and sipping our tea:

Guide: “Are there any bandits in these hills?”

Host (Sheik): “Oh yes many bandits! They come and they steel often. We always have to be on watch to protect our flocks.”

Guide: “Do they ever attack tourists and foreigners?”

Host: “Oh — yes, but usually when tourists are not being smart, and travel in places they shouldn’t. But sometimes they will attack whole groups!”

Guide: “Now we are Americans, and we are all Christians! Is that ok for us to be here with you?”

Host: “Yes, of course! You are all friends. I have invited you into my home.”

Guide: “But, are you not a Muslim? And the bandits, are they Muslim too?”

Host: “Yes I am Muslim, and the bandits are also Muslim. Yes.”

Guide: “What would happen if the bandits came and attacked us while we are here in your home?”

(*It was at this point, our host received his guests full attention. Prior to giving his answer, he reached below where he was sitting, and from under his pillow and matting, he pulled out a shotgun that looked as if it dated back to the American Civil War. He then held it in front of himself by the stock and barrel, shaking it with both hands, to help make his point).

Host: (With gun in hand) “You are my guests, you are under my protection!”

Guide: “But you are Muslim and we are Christians. We are Americans and you are Jordanian — Don’t you have far more in common with the bandits?”

Host: (Now, putting the gun down, and waving his finger): “No, No!” You are in my home, you are friends! It does not matter! You are in my care!”

Much can be said about the importance of hospitality from a Hebrew and a Biblical perspective. There are numerous cases where hospitality and protection were denied in Scripture, and extreme judgement followed [i.e. Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19); The Levite and his concubine (Judges 19); David, Nabal and Abigail (1 Samuel 25)]. Three thousand years later, the tradition of hospitality and protection continues to be an important aspect of Middle-Eastern culture.

It is this type of protective hospitality we see included within the Shepherd’s song, which also brings about a dramatic shift. Up to this point, God has been the shepherd leading his flock through the wilderness. Then in midst of this journey and while in, “The valley of the shadow of death,” there is an abrupt change. The shepherd’s role, turns from the leader of sheep, to the role of gracious host, who now welcomes the weary and endangered traveler into his safe keeping. Surprisingly, upon his welcome, the host does not just offer security, but lavishes his guest with a bountiful feast.

David’s song of his Shepherd helps us understand: What we least expect, and at the time we least expect it, is when our great Shepherd provides for his worn and weary sheep in the most unexpected of ways!

Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies. Hebrews 13:1–3