But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'” Matthew 4:4 NASB
This powerful verse quoted by Jesus, right back in the devil’s face, was given during the “temptation of Christ” in the wilderness after Jesus had fasted for 40 days. Now a fast by both Jesus and Moses and others, during Bible days, meant – NO FOOD!
Here is what Jesus is really saying to this evil scoundrel, in bullet point to drive it home:
* This is NOT about you.
* This is about My Father God’s REVEALED Word – RHEMA.
* This Rhema is His revealed Truth for mankind to live by.
* This Rhema carried the repository of all which SUSTAINS.
* That which sustains is not found in physical food only.
* Physical food perishes and is expelled.
* If that food was good, it nourishes, if it was not, it causes heartburn.
* Therefore, man’s lifetime should not be wasted chasing these things.
* The life of a man or woman is more than just seeking that which fills us daily.
* But combined with the riches of God through the Truthful Revealed Word of God – we have found the true meaning and fountain of Live!
Check this out. This man is told to go find a prostitute! If that does not sound bad enough, he is told to MARRY her and have children. Then not only is he told she will run away and go back to her “oldest profession”, but then this poor guy has to go find her and BUY her back as if he were one of her vile customers.
Then after purchasing her, he has to bring her back into his home and forgive her adultery and love her! If this sounds like something you and I will never do – hold on! We will – if the God of Heaven and earth not only told us to do it, but then gave us the spiritual strength to accomplish it.
This is the story of the great Old Testament prophet Hosea, who lived around the time of Isaiah, who himself went through his own trials and tribulations. Isaiah would later be sawed in half by the corrupt priesthood of that day! My study of Hosea in the past couple weeks provided many insights and truths about our wonderful, forgiving and compassionate God. It is possible to admire and love Him even more!
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'” Matthew 4:4 NASB