478. MAT 4:4. WORD OF GOD COMPARED TO FOOD
Mat_4:4. Word Of God Compared To Food
"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."’97Mat_4:4.
The text is the reply of Jesus to the tempter, who urged him to employ his power in changing stones into bread. To this Jesus replies, "It is written, (Deu_8:3,) Man doth not live by bread alone, but by every word," &c. Christ’s reply to Satan included this idea, that although bread is the staff of life, yet God can sustain and keep alive by any thing, or by any means he pleases. Bread will not invariably ensure life, but the will of God is ever sufficient, under all circumstances, to do so. But the soul hath its necessities as well as the body, and it is a clear and important truth, that the food of the soul is the word of God. Thus Job said, "I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food," Job_23:12. Consider,
I. The Propriety of the Metaphor.
II. Its peculiar Characteristics. And,
III. Our Duty with respect to it.
Observe then,
I. The Propriety of the Metaphor.
The word of God may be likened to food.
1. As it is essential to the life of the soul.
The body cannot live without food. The soul in like manner cannot have spiritual life, without receiving a constant supply of the divine word. The word of God is the incorruptible seed by which believers are begotten, and by which they become the children of God. And this life is sustained by the same word, which as milk nourishes, so that they grow thereby. We live, by the word of God living and abiding in us.
2. As it is the source of strength.
Food when digested gives strength and vigor to the system, and by it the necessary supply of nutrition is communicated. So the word of God renews the strength of the soul. By it, holy desires and purposes receive energy and power. By it, the whole spiritual system is rendered healthy and powerful. With the vigor it imparts, the Christian is sufficient for all he duties and engagements to which he is jailed of God. Observe,
II. Its peculiar Characteristics.
This food is,
1. Heavenly and divine.
It cometh down from above. The mind and will of God flowing to us from his heavenly throne on high. Not human wisdom. Not of the earth, but of God, and celestial in its nature and source 2. It is superabundant.
Not only enough, but infinitely more than the largest capacity can fully receive and digest. The word of God in its Spirit and fulness seems to resemble the infinity of its blessed author. The most studious, the most devout, the most diligent peruser of the holy scriptures, can only approach, as it were, the margin of that ocean of blessedness the word of God contains. The Bible is a never-failing, exhaustless mine of unspeakable treasure. Observe,
3. Its endless variety.
In temporal food God has given us not only plenty but variety. He has given man a right to every wholesome herb of the field,’97the fruit of the earth, and of every clean beast, or fowl, or fish, Gen_9:2-4. The word of God possesses still greater variety. In it there is every thing to enrich the sanctified imagination, to enlighten the understanding, to counsel the judgment, to purify the conscience, to exalt the affections, and to meet all the spiritual desires of the soul. It contains food for every grade of character,’97for every age and condition,’97for all ranks, and degrees, and classes, in the kingdom of Jesus Christ. For the young and old; for the weakly and the strong; for pastors and people; for every member of the household of faith. Notice,
4. Its gratuitous bestowment.
The spiritual food of the word of God, is given by God to his people. He bestows it without any consideration or condition on our part. It descends as freely as the rain or snow from heaven. In this God acts according to the exceeding riches of his grace. This food is not to be bought by human price, or obtained by meritorious labor. Notice,
5. Its universal communication.
God giveth food to every living thing. He feeds all the beasts of the field, and the fowls of the air. All living creatures wait upon him, and he supplies the wants of all. So the food of the divine word is the common property of the whole family of man, It is suited and sent alike to all. It is the bread of life to a perishing world. Notice,
III. Our Duty with respect to it.
In reference to this heavenly food,
1. We should thankfully receive it.
God sendeth it. He gives it freely to us. Ungodly men despise it, reject it, and thus starve and die. We ought to receive it with sincerest gratitude, with all readiness and gladness of soul. Such a reception all give it who know their spiritual condition.
2. We should believingly feed upon it.
The word may be in our dwellings, may be the subject of our reading, and yet not profit us. By faith we make it our own. By faith it enters the heart, and thus only is indeed real food to the soul. Faith lives on what God has spoken, this faith is the life of the Christian.
3. We should grow, and improve by it.
The word of God exerts a holy transforming influence on the soul. Where God’s word is cordially received, it will be exhibited in the spirit, life, and conversation. This food should make us strong in the things of God, and fit for every good word and work. We should grow in knowledge and prudence, in love, and in general holiness of heart and life.
4. We should constantly apply to it.
Every day we should gladly use God’s word as the portion of our souls. Especially in the morning of the day we should avail ourselves of it, that we may profitably meditate upon it all the day long. We shall need it during our whole probation; in life, sickness, and death. Then we shall exchange it for the fruit of the tree of life in the paradise of God.
Application
1. Urge the importance and value of the word of God upon all.
2. Upon the especial attention of the people of God.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS