Daily Proverbs
Daily Bible Study
These two passages are contrasted against the previous passages where God commands rulers and those in leadership roles not to drink strong drink and give themselves over to alcohol. These two passages speak primarily of having mercy and compassion on those in need. And though they specifically mention pain, poverty and impending death in association with alcohol, in a much broader scope they encompass anyone in need. In addition, these verses can be taken in either one of two ways. First is to provide mercy, in this case strong drink for medicinal purposes, to those who have a terminal illness, injury or those facing execution.
Second is in reference to provisions and providing for those who have little or nothing. In this case to invite those who have little or nothing to the king’s banquet. In other words, if they are poor and have no food let them eat with the king at his table. In either case they speak to the heart of all of God’s commandments for believers, which are to love God, love others and do what we can with what we have for those around us. We are called to help others, we are called to help relieve the pain and suffering people are going through, and to do so while they are going through it. We do so in order to ease their pain and suffering and to shine the light and love of Jesus to a lost and dying world.