Topical Bible: Trouble: Food

◄ Trouble: Food ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical narrative, food often emerges as a central theme, reflecting both God's provision and the challenges faced by His people. The concept of "trouble" related to food can be seen in various contexts throughout Scripture, highlighting issues such as scarcity, temptation, and divine testing.

Scarcity and Famine

One of the most prominent instances of food-related trouble is famine. Famines are depicted as periods of severe scarcity, often serving as a backdrop for God's intervention and the testing of faith. In Genesis 41, Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams, predicting seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine. Joseph's God-given wisdom leads to the storage of grain, which ultimately saves Egypt and surrounding nations from starvation: "The seven years of abundance in the land of Egypt came to an end, and the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said" (Genesis 41:53-54).

The account of Ruth also begins with a famine in Bethlehem, prompting Elimelech and his family to move to Moab (Ruth 1:1). This narrative illustrates how God can use times of scarcity to bring about His purposes, as Ruth's eventual return to Bethlehem leads to her becoming an ancestor of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ.

Temptation and Testing

Food is also a medium through which temptation and testing occur. In the Garden of Eden, the first act of disobedience involves eating forbidden fruit. Genesis 3:6 describes how Eve, seeing that the tree was "good for food," succumbs to temptation, leading to the fall of humanity.

In the New Testament, Jesus faces temptation in the wilderness, where Satan challenges Him to turn stones into bread after a 40-day fast. Jesus responds by quoting Scripture, emphasizing spiritual sustenance over physical: "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).

Divine Provision and Miracles

Despite the troubles associated with food, the Bible consistently portrays God as a provider. In the wilderness, the Israelites experience hunger, leading to complaints against Moses and Aaron. God responds by providing manna, a miraculous bread from heaven: "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you'" (Exodus 16:4). This daily provision teaches reliance on God and His faithfulness.

In the New Testament, Jesus performs miracles of provision, such as the feeding of the 5,000. With five loaves and two fish, He feeds a multitude, demonstrating His compassion and divine authority: "They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over" (Matthew 14:20).

Warnings and Idolatry

The Bible also warns against the idolatry of food, where physical desires overshadow spiritual priorities. In Philippians 3:19, Paul cautions against those "whose god is their belly," highlighting the danger of allowing appetites to dictate one's life. This warning is echoed in the account of Esau, who sells his birthright for a single meal, prioritizing immediate gratification over long-term blessing (Genesis 25:29-34).

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, food serves as a symbol of both God's provision and the challenges faced by His people. Whether through scarcity, temptation, or divine miracles, the biblical narrative uses food to teach lessons of faith, reliance on God, and the importance of spiritual over physical sustenance.

Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 16:2,3
And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:
Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 11:4-33
And the mixed multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Making the Best of Trouble
... David was in great trouble, for the people spoke of stoning him, because they all
felt ... in the open field and brought him to David and gave him food to eat and ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/making the best of trouble.htm

The Testing of Joseph's Brothers
... will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food, but if ... me unless
your brother is with you.'" Jacob said, "Why did you bring trouble upon me by ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/the testing of josephs brothers.htm

"The Time of Trouble. "
... of deceit and destruction will reach its culmination in the time of trouble. ... distressed,
while they endure privation, and suffer for want of food, they will ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /39 the time of trouble.htm

The Time of Trouble
... work of deceit and destruction will reach its culmination in the time of trouble. ...
distressed, while they endure privation and suffer for want of food they will ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 39 the time of.htm

Semi-Parasitism.
... They are forms of life which will not take the trouble to find their own
food, but borrow or steal it from the more industrious. ...
/.../drummond/natural law in the spiritual world/semi-parasitism.htm

The Best Things Work for Good to the Godly
... God's power works for good, in supporting us in trouble. ... He that brought food to
the prophet Elijah by ravens, will bring sustenance to His people. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the best things work for.htm

How we Laid Bare the Secrets of Our Thoughts to Abbot Abraham.
... that we should gain more good out of their earnestness, and should be hampered by
no cares about bodily matters, and no trouble in providing food, as they ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter i how we laid.htm

Curiosity.
... On the other hand, no quantity of food void of nutritious qualities will ever ... which
for the most part enervate the mind by their futilities, trouble and darken ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter xvii curiosity.htm

The Death of Two Brave Warriors
... so he had no strength left, for he had not eaten any food all that day and night.
When the woman came to Saul and saw that he was in great trouble, she said to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the death of two brave.htm

Judgment must have Reference Both to Soul and Body: There Will ...
... it was made: though I think it would be a useless expenditure of trouble to go ... whom
it is now our business to speak, as being in want, requires food; as being ...
/.../chapter xviii judgment must have reference.htm