The Word: Job 23: 12 (KJV)
12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
Dig Deeper: Isaiah 55: 1 -2(KJV)
1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
Think about it
THIRST FOR THE WORD
‘Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat;’
Water is a typo of the word. Water is used to represent God’s word in the scriptures.
– Jesus called himself the Living water when he spoke with the Samaritan woman (John 4: 10 – 11)
– Water is for drinking when one is thirsty. Water is also for washing. We understand the word can wash, cleanse and sanctify a man just like we wash with water (Ephesians 5: 26)
– Milk is also a typo of the word. We understand that we should desire the sincere milk of the word so that we can grow (1` Peter 2: 2)
– Bread is also a typo of the word. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” (Luke 4:4). Jesus said, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger. (John 6:35)
So let’s look again into our 2 texts for today:
Job 23: 12b – I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
Job says he has esteemed God’s word more than his daily necessary food. He considers his reading the word and meditation more important than his 3 square meals. So if he hasn’t had time to feed on the scriptures, he may not take natural food.
In our 2nd text:
Isaiah 55: 1-2, we find certain key words: waters, milk, bread, eat, soul delight in fatness….. All these words are referring to a thirst for the word. When God’s word comes in contact with us either as water to wash us or milk, bread that we feed on, The word provokes a change of level.. When we meditate (eat) on God’s word and it is assimilated through our minds (soul) into our spirit. Then our mind (soul) is encouraged. Faith springs up in our heart. And our thoughts becomes robust and positive (Our soul delights itself in fatness).
We can (like Job) prioritize God’s word over our daily food. Do you understand Job’s secret now? That was why he feared God. The word made him hold God in fear, awe and deep respect. That was why he was very successful.
Nuggets:
Our pursuit of God will lead to a thirst for his word
Our memory verse for June 2018
Psalm 42: 1
1 As the deer panteth after the water, so my soul pants after you O God.
Let’s take a few moment to learn our memory verse for this month by heart. It can be memorised in 2 lines:
Line 1: As the deer panteth after the water
Line 2: so my soul pants after you O God.
Once you say it a few times it will stick.
Prayer focus: Our next level prayers:
Lord help me to become a thirsty for your word
On the word: Recommended book
The Bible Study Methods – Rick Warren
