Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, bread is often emblematic of sustenance and provision, representing the basic necessities of life. The absence or want of bread is frequently used as a metaphor for extreme poverty and destitution. This theme is woven throughout Scripture, highlighting both the physical and spiritual dimensions of human need.Old Testament Context The Old Testament provides numerous instances where the lack of bread signifies severe hardship. In the book of Genesis, during the time of Joseph, a great famine struck the land, leading to a desperate need for food. Genesis 41:54 states, "And the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all the other lands, but in the whole land of Egypt there was food." Here, the scarcity of bread underscores the severity of the famine and the resulting poverty. The Mosaic Law also addresses the plight of the poor, emphasizing the community's responsibility to provide for those in need. Leviticus 19:9-10 instructs, "When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God." This provision ensured that even the poorest in society could find sustenance. Prophetic Warnings The prophets frequently warned of the consequences of disobedience to God, which included economic hardship and a lack of bread. In Ezekiel 4:16, the Lord declares, "I will cut off the supply of bread in Jerusalem. They will anxiously eat rationed bread and drink rationed water in dismay." This prophetic imagery illustrates the dire conditions that result from turning away from God's commandments. New Testament Insights In the New Testament, Jesus' teachings often highlight the spiritual implications of physical poverty. In the Beatitudes, Jesus proclaims, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3). While this speaks to spiritual poverty, it also reflects the broader biblical theme that God is attentive to the needs of the impoverished. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) further illustrates the stark contrast between wealth and poverty. Lazarus, a poor man who longed for the crumbs from the rich man's table, is ultimately comforted in the afterlife, while the rich man faces judgment. This parable underscores the moral and spiritual responsibilities of those with abundance to care for those in want. Theological Reflections The want of bread, as a symbol of extreme poverty, serves as a poignant reminder of humanity's dependence on God for provision. It calls believers to reflect on their own attitudes towards wealth and poverty, urging a response of compassion and generosity. The biblical narrative consistently affirms that God is a provider who cares deeply for the marginalized and impoverished. In conclusion, the theme of bread and its absence in Scripture is a powerful metaphor for both physical and spiritual poverty. It challenges believers to live out their faith through acts of mercy and justice, ensuring that the needs of the least among us are met. As followers of Christ, the call to address the want of bread is both a practical and spiritual mandate, reflecting the heart of God for all His creation. Torrey's Topical Textbook Proverbs 12:9He that is despised, and has a servant, is better than he that honors himself, and lacks bread. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 3:7 Library Naomi is an Instance of a Widow Receiving Back from Her Daughter ... Letter civ. (AD 409. ) Heaviness through Manifold Temptations The Fifth Season, Corn in Egypt Letter xiii. Christian Activity. 2 Cor. viii. 7 Acts v. 17, 18 Christ is All Matt. Iv. 1 Resources What did Jesus mean when He said, “I am the Bread of Life” (John 6:35)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the bread of the Presence (Exodus 25:30)? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible mean when it speaks of the breaking of bread? | GotQuestions.org Bread: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Bread in Times of Scarcity, Sold by Weight Bread was Baked: On Coals of Fire Bread with Water, the Food of Prisons Bread: (Eating Without Scarceness) of Plenty Bread: (Fulness of) of Abundance Bread: (Of Adversity) Heavy Affliction Bread: (Of Deceit) Unlawful Gain Bread: (Of Wickedness) Oppression Bread: (Partaking of) Communion of Saints Bread: (Seeking of Begging) Extreme Poverty Bread: (Want of) Extreme Poverty Bread: (When Broken) the Death of Christ Bread: Called the Staff of Life Bread: Crumb of, Used to Wipe the Fingers, Thrown Under the Table Bread: First Fruit of, offered to God Bread: How Prepared: Baked in Ovens Bread: How Prepared: Cracknels Bread: How Prepared: Made Into Loaves Bread: How Prepared: Mixed With Oil Bread: How Prepared: On Coals of Dung Bread: How Prepared: On Hearths Bread: Kinds of Bread of Affliction Bread: Kinds of Leavened (Made With Yeast) Bread: Kinds of Unleavened (Made Without Yeast) Bread: Made of Manna (In the Wilderness) Bread: Multitudes Miraculously Fed by Christ With Bread: Nutritious and Strengthening Bread: Offered With Sacrifices Bread: Often Given As a Present Bread: Often Put for the Whole Substance of Man Bread: Ordinary, Called Common Bread Bread: Placed on Table of Shew Bread Bread: Plenty of, Promised to the Obedient Bread: Sacred, Called Hallowed Bread Bread: Scarceness of, Sent As a Punishment Bread: Served Round After Funerals Bread: Symbolical of the Body of Christ Bread: The Principal Food Used by the Ancients Bread: Troughs Used for Kneading Bread: when Old, Dry and Mouldy Related Terms |