“He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.” Deuteronomy 8:3
Moses continues to rehearse the events that took place in Israel’s previous 40 years. He knows that soon, he will not be with them, as they cross the Jordan River and begin to conquer the inhabitants of Canaan. He desperately wants to prepare them for what lies ahead knowing that they will only succeed as they submit themselves to God. He alone has been their Sustainer and Provider and would only do so as they honored and obeyed Him. The Book of Deuteronomy in reality is The Grand Reminder of all that God has done so that they will continue trusting in Him for their Future.
That is the context of Today’s Verse. It is one of the more familiar verses in the Old Testament; one that many Christians are familiar with. You can probably find it in many homes on a Picture or a Poster. As these Words are spoken to Moses, and eventually to the People of God, a Dramatic Declaration will be forever made to them, and to all those that follow. Consider what is being said: These People knew Hunger. They journeyed for 40 years without Stores, without Neighbors, or without the ability to grow Grains for Bread. And yet, God provided Manna for them Every Day. And it wasn’t provided for by Accident, or Providence, but by His Power, and most importantly, “By His Word”. He declared it would happen, and it did! And by doing so, He Emphasizes the Point that “His Word” is even more important than our need for Bread, which He was providing them!
Many years later, Jesus, while fasting for 40 days in His Wilderness, would quote this Verse to Satan. He would do so with the personal experience of True Hunger. We’re told that the Devil tempted Him saying “Since You are the Son of God, turn these Stones into Bread”. But His Father had not Spoken Words to that effect. His commitment was to the Words of God, not to a Hungry Belly crying out to be fed! And as we know, He Obeyed!!! The Lesson is a simple one and can be discovered in the Question: How Important is the Word of God to us?