Jeshurun's Mind: Spiritual Food

BIBLE STUDY

 

The word “WORD”

After Jesus’ baptism, He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the Devil. When He had fasted 40 days and 40 nights, He was afterward hungry. The Devil, knowing how famished He was tempted Him to command stones to turn into bread if indeed He was God’s Son.

Of course Satan knew who Jesus was. In response to that temptation, Jesus answered:

“It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4, KJV)

At this point, it is important to ponder over what Jesus meant by every “Word” that proceeds out of God’s mouth. Could it be possible that the word “Word” has a deeper meaning?

Before going any further, let’s look at instances when words proceeded directly from the mouth of God. After that, we will try and ascertain whether those are the words that Jesus was talking about when He said “…Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

Baptism of Jesus

The first instance happened just after Jesus had been baptized by John the Baptist in river Jordan. 

“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17, KJV)

Is there any evidence that these were the words that Jesus had in mind when He said “…Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God?”

The Transfiguration

Let’s take a look at another instance whereby words proceeded directly from the mouth of God.  It was during the transfiguration and Jesus had brought with Him Peter, James and John to a high mountain. 

As Christ was being transfigured before His disciples, Moses and Elijah appeared to them and talked with Him. Peter, in his outspoken nature suggested to Jesus that three tabernacles be made: One for Jesus, one for Moses, and the third one for Elijah. And while Peter was still speaking:

“…behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” (Matthew 17:5, KJV)

It is worthwhile to note that although everyone present heard the words that God the Father spoke, the target audience was actually the three disciples. Peter, John and James were instructed to “...hear ye Him.”

 

Jesus’ Anguish

The last instance we’ll focus our attention on took place when Jesus spoke about the events surrounding His death. Although the Savior’s soul was troubled because He was about to face death, He understood perfectly well that it was for that reason He came to earth.  

“Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” (John 12:27-28, KJV)

Word as a Statement

Sometimes in the Bible, the word “Word” refers to a statement as illustrated in the following text:

“For all the law is fulfilled in ONE WORD, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Galatians 5:14, KJV)

When addressing Galatians under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul refers to 7 words (i.e Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself) as one word. He does the same when writing to the Hebrews. In Hebrews 12:25, he exhorts them to accept Christ and heed His voice.

“Whose voice then shook the earth but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.” (Hebrews 12:26, KJV)

In verse 27, Paul summarizes the above underlined 12 words into 3 words “Yet once more” and refers to them as “…this word” in verse 27.

“And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. (Hebrews 12:27, KJV)

Interestingly, the commandments of God are at times referred to as “Word” in the Bible as evidenced in these texts: 

(a) “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.” (1 John 2:4-5. KJV) 

(b)  “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15, KJV) 

(c)  “He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. (John 14:24, KJV) 

(d) “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.” (John 15:10, KJV)

 

Conclusion

From the above illustrations, it’s clear that the words “Commandments” and “Word” are synonymous.

Therefore, we can conclude that when Jesus said that….“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, He actually meant that…. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by (every) commandments that proceed out of the mouth of God.”