Now, I'm not a prophet, but I would consider this article to be a uh, spirit-directed excerpt from what could happen--but we are not saying. It could. But we are not saying:
Questions From Readers
Is it necessary to offer thanks in prayer before eating snacks?
In the time of Moses and the Israelites, snacks generally did not exist. Food could not be stored as it is today due to modern technology. For example, the Passover lamb could only be eaten on the night it was slaughtered. None of it was to remain until the morning. (Ex. 12:10) Similarly, the manna that the Israelites received in the wilderness sustained them only for one day. They were not permitted to take up more than one day’s supply of food (with the exception of Sunday’s food being provided on Saturday, when a double portion of manna was sent from heaven), evidently meaning Jehovah provided only enough for three square meals--not for satanic fourthmeals like those engaged in by the surrounding pagan nations. (Ex. 16:15-19) Thus, the matter of offering thanks to Jehovah over a snack never became an issue.
However, in recent times, it has become possible to preserve more food than is required for three square meals. Also, snack foods—various forms of chocolate, candy, pastries and the like—have become more and more readily available. Do these items, being food, come from Jehovah as well? Apparently so, as Jehovah is “the giver of every good gift and perfect present” and thus provided man with the means of creating snack foods.
Would it, then, be inappropriate to offer to thanks over food that is not even a meal? That is up to the individual to decide. But those who choose to display a lack of regard for the sacred provisions of food, doing so brazenly in the presence of others, may be subject to judicial action, up to and including being removed from the Christian congregation for failure to appreciate sacred things, just like Esau, who undoubtedly did not thank Jehovah when he gave away his right as firstborn in exchange for one meal. (Heb. 12:16) Why is it reasonable to conclude that such failure to offer thanks over a small amount of food is similar to Esau’s rebellious spirit?
It is entirely possible that this meal may not have been more than a snack, as not only did Esau ask for some of the stew, but he also needed bread to supplement it. (Gen. 25:30-34) Clearly, since Jacob, in compliance with righteous principles he must have learned from his father Isaac, would not have made more stew than could be consumed in one day, it is not likely that it would have been enough to constitute a meal for Esau. We can see this also from the fact that Esau was likely bigger and stronger than Jacob, being a hunter of game. (Gen. 25:27) Hence, the stew given to Esau was evidently a snack—one for which he arrogantly refused to give thanks to Jehovah.
True Christians, therefore, would wisely give thought to these scriptural principles in making their own personal decisions about offering thanks before eating a snack. In doing so, let us remember that it is Jehovah, through the faithful and discreet slave, who provides us with “food at the proper time”. (Matt. 24:45-47)