Connect Psalm 78:20 with Jesus' provision in the feeding of the 5,000. Setting the Stage • Psalm 78 recounts Israel’s history to remind every generation that God has proven Himself faithful again and again. • Verse 20 echoes the wilderness scene in Exodus 17:6, where God brought literal water from a literal rock to quench a multitude’s thirst. • Centuries later, Jesus performs another wilderness miracle—this time multiplying loaves and fish for well over 5,000 hungry people (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-14). Psalm 78:20 – Water and Bread from the Rock “ ‘When He struck the rock, water gushed out and torrents flowed. But can He also give bread? Will He supply His people with meat?’ ” Key observations • The question “Can He also give bread?” exposes Israel’s unbelief after seeing water gush from solid rock. • God answered that question literally—sending quail for meat (Numbers 11:31-32) and manna for daily bread (Exodus 16:4-5, 31-35). • Psalm 78 uses this moment to highlight both God’s abundant power and His people’s recurring doubt. Jesus Feeds 5,000 – Bread in the Wilderness Again “Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. … When they had eaten their fill, He told His disciples, ‘Gather the fragments that remain, so that nothing will be wasted.’ ” (John 6:11-12) Snapshot of the event • Location: a “desolate place” (Mark 6:32). • Crowd: 5,000 men, plus women and children—easily 10,000-15,000 people. • Provision: five barley loaves and two fish become an all-you-can-eat feast with twelve baskets left over. • Purpose: to reveal Jesus as the promised Shepherd who feeds His flock (Ezekiel 34:23) and the ultimate source of life-sustaining bread (John 6:35). Parallels Between Psalm 78 and the Miracle of Multiplication • Wilderness setting – Israel: Sinai desert, no natural supply. – Disciples: Galilean hillside, remote and foodless. • Impossible need – Israel: millions needing daily water and food. – Crowd: thousands needing a single meal. • Question of God’s ability – “Can He also give bread?” (Psalm 78:20). – “Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?” (John 6:5). • Divine response – Water, manna, quail—tangible, measurable, abundant. – Loaves and fish—visible multiplication, twelve baskets left to underline sufficiency. • Revelation of God’s character – Old Testament: Yahweh, covenant-keeper, patient with doubt. – New Testament: Jesus, same divine nature (Colossians 1:15-17), displaying identical compassion and power. Seeing the Greater Moses • Moses struck the rock once, and life-giving water flowed (Exodus 17:6). • Jesus, the “Rock” (1 Corinthians 10:4), would be struck on the cross; from His side flowed blood and water (John 19:34)—eternal life for all who believe. • Moses prayed for bread; Jesus Himself is the “Bread of Life” who satisfies forever (John 6:35, 51). Lessons for Today • God specializes in meeting literal, physical needs, not just spiritual ones (Philippians 4:19). • Past faithfulness guarantees present provision; Psalm 78 is history on purpose. • Doubt asks, “Can God?” Faith answers, “God can and God will,” because Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). |
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