Read to Read …Again
Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 7-8
Deuteronomy 8:3
And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.
It was for bread that Israel went down to Egypt. It was for bread that all the Egyptians sold themselves to Pharoah. It was for bread that the Israelites in the wilderness wanderings lusted after, causing them to moan, complain, murmur and even desire to return to bondage in Egypt. So, God sent them bread; in the form of manna, and then by extension, He sent quail. They had food to eat. Angels’ food as Psalm 78:25 calls it. Food to fill their bellies, but also food to teach them the one central truth in today’s verse. …man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.
Jesus said the same thing. In fact, He quoted this portion of today’s verse. It was during the time commonly called “the temptation in the wilderness.” After forty days and nights of fasting Satan came to Jesus, tempting Him to prove His divinity by turning stones into bread. Jesus said: …It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4
Do humans need bread to live? Yes, God created our bodies in such a way that proper nutrition is needed for strong healthy bodies. However, bread for our bodies is not as important as every word of God. Factually, He brings forth bread, and all other types of proper food. He created the grains, the trees, the waters, and even the process of plant growth. Photosynthesis allows the necessary items (sun, water, carbon dioxide, minerals, and oxygen) needed for plants to grow, in the right measure, to bring forth life-giving food. He brings the rain in its due season, He created the sun, that life giving energy source. Part of photosynthesis is that green trees take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen (this is an oversimplification of this process for sake of brevity). This is why forested areas seem so healthy.
Yes, we need bread. but more importantly we need every word of God. Most live for bread and bread alone to the exclusion of God’s Word. No doubt there are millions, perhaps billions, who believe not in God yet are fed by His Word. For it is His Word according to Hebrews 1:3 that upholds all things. But let’s make it as simple as this: while much can be debated about this truth, let it be said just as Jesus said, just as Moses said …Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. This statement is every bit as true today as it was in the wilderness wanderings of Israel.
Dr. William T. Howe
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