The Bible employs various symbols to illustrate the Word of God. The word “food” is found 158 times in the Bible (ASV 1901). It is used literally of a worthy homemaker who gives “food to her household” (Proverbs 31:15). An example of figurative usage is when the Psalmist poetically declared, “My tears have been my food day and night” (Psalm 42:3). Literal food possesses some qualities that can help explain benefits of the Word of God.
Food Is Necessary
We all recognize the need for physical sustenance. One writer requested, “Feed me with the food that is needful for me” (Proverbs 30:8). Who can forget that John the baptizer’s “food was locusts and wild honey” (Matthew 3:4)? Man cannot survive long without food.
But just as man’s physical frame requires food, so also his spiritual nature requires spiritual food. The Lord himself quoted, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Therefore, Jesus challenges us all to “Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life…” (John 6:27). This verse is a fine example of the figure known as ellipsis, where something is left out, but implied.
If the elided words were supplied, the sentence would read: “Work not [only] for the food which perishes, but [more importantly] for the food which abides unto eternal life!”
We speak of food that is “perishable” and thus needs refrigeration. However, Jesus highlights that spiritual food (God’s Word) “abides” (1 Peter 1:23).
Proper Food Promotes Good Health
Most of us enjoy some “junk food” from time to time. While it is not good for us, it sure can be tasty. Similarly, there is spiritual “junk food,” but this can be deadly. Paul warned of false teachers who “by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent” (Romans 16:18). Some find false teaching palatable, but spiritually it “will eat as doth a gangrene” (2 Timothy 2:17). Bad spiritual food (false teaching) is so destructive that the one who “dishes it out” is to be accursed (Galatians 1:6-9).
The key to sound spiritual health is a daily diet of the bread of life. Job said, “I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12). We offer you a well prepared meal (study) of God’s Word! Will you accept the dinner invitation?
