Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, bread is not merely a staple of physical sustenance but also a symbol of God's provision and blessing. The promise of abundant bread is frequently associated with obedience to God's commandments and faithfulness to His covenant. This theme is woven throughout the Scriptures, illustrating the connection between spiritual fidelity and material blessing.Old Testament Promises The concept of abundant bread as a reward for obedience is prominently featured in the Old Testament. In the Mosaic Law, God promises the Israelites that if they follow His statutes and commandments, they will experience material prosperity, including an abundance of bread. Leviticus 26:3-5 states: "If you follow My statutes and carefully keep My commandments, I will give you rains in their season, and the land will yield its produce, and the trees of the field will bear their fruit. Your threshing will continue until the grape harvest, and the grape harvest will continue until sowing time; you will have plenty of food to eat and will live securely in your land." Similarly, in Deuteronomy 28, the blessings for obedience are detailed, including the promise of plenty: "The LORD will command the blessing upon you in your barns and in everything to which you put your hand, and He will bless you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you" (Deuteronomy 28:8). This passage underscores the direct correlation between adherence to God's laws and the resulting material abundance, including the provision of bread. Wisdom Literature The theme of bread as a reward for righteousness is also echoed in the wisdom literature. Proverbs 13:25 states, "The righteous eat to their hearts’ content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry." This proverb highlights the moral order established by God, where the righteous, those who live in accordance with divine wisdom, are satisfied and provided for, while the wicked face scarcity. Prophetic Assurance The prophets also reaffirm the promise of abundant provision for the obedient. In Isaiah 1:19 , the prophet declares, "If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land." This assurance is given in the context of a call to repentance and a return to covenant faithfulness, emphasizing that God's blessings, including the provision of bread, are contingent upon the people's obedience. New Testament Fulfillment In the New Testament, the theme of bread takes on a deeper spiritual significance with the coming of Jesus Christ, who identifies Himself as the "bread of life" (John 6:35). While the physical promise of bread remains, the focus shifts to the spiritual nourishment and eternal life offered through Christ. Nevertheless, the principle that God provides for the needs of those who seek His kingdom and righteousness is reiterated in Matthew 6:33 : "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." Conclusion Throughout the biblical text, the promise of plenty of bread serves as a tangible expression of God's faithfulness to those who are obedient to His will. This promise is not only a testament to God's provision but also a call to live in accordance with His divine order, trusting in His ability to meet both physical and spiritual needs. Torrey's Topical Textbook Leviticus 26:5And your threshing shall reach to the vintage, and the vintage shall reach to the sowing time: and you shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The victory of the King Unbelievers Upbraided 1875-1877. Mrs. Way's Sewing --Class for Jewesses --Bible Flower ... A Heavenly Pattern for Our Earthly Life One Lion Two Lions no Lion at All Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in ... Book ii. Sennacherib (705-681 BC ) A Traveler's Note-Book The Sibylline Oracles. Resources What did Jesus mean when He said, “This is my body, broken for you”? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did Jesus mean when He said we must eat His flesh and drink His blood? | GotQuestions.org Why is the real presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper such a controversial issue? | 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 |
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