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INVITATION (to dine)

When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.  (Luke 7:36)

Gospel accounts of Jesus dining with others are manifold.  The Greek verb φάγω phago means simply eat, but he is asked, ἐρωτάω erótaó, and his presence requested – in other words, he is invited – on many occasions, and by many different kinds of people.  There are those of high society, which in Jesus’ day, were the ultra-religious.  In addition to the head quotation, Luke records two other instances of Jesus accepting an invitation to dine in a Pharisees’ home, 11:37 and 14:1 but, of course, the Pharisees were also critical that Jesus was indiscriminate in his choice of table.

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ARMOUR (of God)

Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)

The ‘whole armour’ is the full set of equipment needed to wage warfare, and translates πανοπλία panoplia, whence English derives ‘panoply’.  Doubtless, he had in mind the Roman soldier fully furnished with helmet, breastplate, sandals and short sword.  To the Ephesians, Paul has already used the analogy of believers clothing themselves, ‘putting on’ (the verb ἐνδύω enduo, to be clothed or enveloped) the new self, the spiritual part downpayment of the new creation; but Paul would also have it known that this new spirit can come under attack.  

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MULTIPLY (WIVES)

Neither shall (a king) multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away (Deuteronomy 17:17)

The Hebrew word translated ‘multiply’ isרָבָה rabah and it is found in the first commandment given to humankind.

‘Be fruitful and multiply…’ (Genesis 1:28)

But in the head quotation, Moses is relaying instructions for the establishment of monarchy for the time when the Israelites will demand that they have a king as do other nations.

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