Proverbs 23
When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive, v23.
FHB. Now these initials may not mean anything to you, but they sure do me. FHB. If I was translating the Bible I would place it in this verse around where Solomon talks about the knife at the throat!
When I was growing up whenever we had someone special come to our house then my mother would bake butterfly cakes, make sandwiches with no crusts and get the best china out. Cups had saucers, plates were smaller and everyone had something which was a cross between a fork and a spoon, simply a weird implement. Before the special one arrived there was the usual forceful announcement, FHB. It means this: Family Hold Back. I still am not sure whether FHB was because of the honour given to the special one or because we had limited cakes and sandwiches. But we knew we had to be grateful for whatever was left after the special one had chosen first. This is where I learnt to pray the most!
Solomon says that when eating before the special one Hold Back. Bridle your appetite. Don’t get carried away and stuff yourself. The reason being is that riches are fleeting. It will all be over soon. It is not lasting, so control yourself.
We all live in the presence of the Special One, Jesus. Today let’s build in some restraint. FHB.
Missions Paul 