Thursday: The Bread and Water of Life
Daily Lesson for Thursday 14th of August 2025
Read 1 Corinthians 10:11. What reason does Paul give for these events to have been recorded?
Paul explains that all the things that happened to the Israelites are examples and warnings for Christ’s followers and will help them avoid the same troubles; that is, they will learn from these examples.
“Come Unto Me” Image ©Lars Justinen by Lars Justinen of GoodSalt.com
This is pertinent instruction for us, we who live at “the end of the ages” (ESV). God gives His people the Holy Spirit to strengthen the believers with “power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7, NIV) so they can make correct decisions and follow His teaching. Jesus Christ is the Source of new life (John 14:6), and only He can turn us into “a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. . . . Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:1-2, ESV).
Later on, in His ministry, Jesus picked up lessons from these Old Testament accounts, particularly with the manna and the water, using those images to teach truths about Himself, the One who led the Israelites through the wilderness.
Read John 4:7-15 and John 6:31-51. What truths are revealed here for us as Christians?
The Samaritan woman discovered that Christ offers something that she would not get anywhere else. The inner thirst for peace, joy, and happiness comes from God, and thus only God can satisfy it (Psalms 42:1-2).
Later, in the context of the manna, Jesus explained that it was God, not Moses, who provided it for the people. Then Jesus declared: “ ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger’ ” (John 6:35, ESV). Jesus repeated two times that He is the Bread of Life (John 6:35,41,48).
As the manna in the wilderness was “bread from heaven” (John 6:31-32), so the water from the rock was Christ’s gift to satisfy their thirst. Besides these physical aspects, bread and water also had spiritual significance, for Jesus Christ is “the bread of life” (John 6:35,48) and “the living water” (John 4:10-11,14; John 7:37-38). Only in Him, then, can our spiritual thirst and hunger truly be satisfied.
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"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come" (1 Cor.10:11, NKJV).
Who was Paul talking to whose ends of the ages have come? Why are these people given a warning? Which examples are these that were written as a warning?
Paul was talking to a congregation at Corinth (both Jews and Gentiles) who were rich but morally corrupt. Paul’s mind flew to the history of the Israelites in the wilderness, how they disobey God in spite of the many signs and wonders shown to them. Paul recalls how rebellious and disobedient these people were, and he tells them that they risk the same consequences. By extension, Paul is talking to us to reflect on whether we are in the same danger. This generation, our generation, is more closer to the final judgment than any other generation before. Therefore, we must seriously take heed from the historical mistakes of the Israelites, or else we fall into the same danger. Which examples (dangers) was Paul referring to? The Israelites committed the following acts (sins): idolatry, sexual immorality, rebellion, grumbling, and disobedience. These are timeless dangers.
We are the people “upon whom the ends of the ages have come”. Paul is not trying to scare us, but he is telling us to be vigilant.
“Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12).
Our deep hunger for bread and thirst for water are not mere accidents but God designed us that way. His call to action is to approach the table and the fountain, where Christ is the Bread of life from heaven and a fountain of Living Water. The Lord desires to meet our wilderness needs and lead us home where we will hunger and thirst no more (Revelation 7:16–17)
C. S. Lewis wrote, “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” Just as God gave Israel manna from heaven and water from the rock in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4; 17:6), Jesus declares, “I am the bread of life… whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35), offering Himself as the true sustenance for our souls.
I think most of us are acutely aware that our lesson study on the book of Exodus has coincided with the most intense conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians that we have witnessed in recent years. Very briefly, there is considerable influential support for Israel's position by Christian Zionists in the evangelical churches worldwide, but particularly in the United States of America. While there are variations on the theme, the basic idea is that the nation of Israel is going to be reestablished in Palestine and the temple rebuilt in Jerusalem before the second coming. It is often part of the dispensationalist interpretation of history. Given the events that have occurred since 1948, when the modern state of Israel was established, one can see the appeal of this doctrine to many Christians. The establishment of the state of Israel is seen as a miracle and provides tangible evidence that they are on the right track.
The issue that is pertinent to our study this week is that we see the Exodus Hebrews being supported by God through several significant miraculous interventions. Their bread and water were provided, they were protected from their enemies, and later on God spoke to them from a mountain top, giving them a code of moral behaviour. They were privileged, but that privilege came with responsibility, not a universal guarantee that a piece of real estate was theirs for all eternity.
We need to be very careful we Seventh-day Adventists do not fall into the same trap. We like to think that we have fulfilled a prophetic destiny, arriving on the scene at the right time, guided by supernatural revelations through the ministry of a prophet, and having the "right" interpretation of prophecy. But salvation is not about getting prophecy and politics right. It's about a relationship with Jesus and sharing the relationship with others.
We should ask ourselves whether we are still looking for miracles like the supply of bread and water, or are we part of the miracle of sharing?
I want to be the boy that gave up his lunch, which then became the world's largest happy meal.
Thanks Maurice. Very apropos, in light of the fact that Christ said, that My kingdom is not of this world. And told us that that would not happen. Luke 21:5-6. There is an article in the Seventh-day Adventist Ministry Magazine that backs me up on the fact that Christ will come to take us to heaven. Then the Holy City will descend onto the Mount of Olives. And we will be inside the City with Christ, while He destroys sin. And makes for us a new Earth . I am sorry I don't have time right now to pull up the article.
Your point is very well made. Salvation is about who you know.
John, I would rather say that salvation is about who you spend your time building a relationship with. It's possible to know Jesus, yet not go to the effort of an actual relationship. Sadly, some have seen God work miracles in their life, as the Hebrews experienced in the wilderness, yet they forget and go their own way after.
There is an interesting parallel between Jethro’s response to an act from God (Wednesday’s lesson), the woman of Samaria (water), and the those speaking to Jesus (bread). Effectively, there are two perspectives, or “movies” playing at the same time and if we look carefully, we can see them both because of the advantage we have of time and further revelation.
Jethro believed that the LORD was “greater than all the gods” (Exodus 18:11) because of a display of strength. The Samaritan woman wanted the water because it would save her having to repeatedly go to the well (John 4:15), and those in John 6 sought Jesus “because [they] ate of the loaves and were filled” (John 6:26).
The default “movie” we all watch is the one that relates specifically to the kingdom of self. The real movie is the one God wants us to watch which involves principles of His kingdom that reveal His character and government.
In each case, God started where the participants were and provided the opportunity to consider the possibility that there was another “movie” playing.
One of the most significant revelations I find in the story of Jethro wasn’t his proclamation that “the LORD is greater than all gods”. That simply reflected the movie he was watching. The more profound truth is that God didn't require him to deny the existence of the "other gods" as a prerequisite for revelation. God met him where he was and gave him the chance to change “screens” enabling further revelation and growth.
We, too, must be at least as willing when dealing with those we perceive as watching another movie.
Sometimes we wounder why we have the Old Testament storicles. Paul explains it in 1 Corinthians 10:11. If you were reading all the blogs you will have chuckled to my error on last Sabbath lesson, of putting 2nd Corinthians instead of 1st Corinthians, a big difference one number off makes. Maybe some day we will talk about the consistency of Paul in letter and in person.
Yes, I am glad we have the Exodus storicles to learn from, and relearn from. It has been said several times this week by several, in different prose. I will say it again.
The experiences of the Israelites give us humility and open us to accepting the gospel, holding us to accountability, relying on the Word rather than our own understanding. We learn from others sins, and with attention to God's Word. Now, we appropriate the merit's of Christ, by putting our hand on Him. We may learn to lean on Christ for encourgement, strength to stand firm and for His understanding rather than ours. Proverbs 3:5-6. Desire of Ages pages 174 through 175.
David has a question for us to ask God, and Ezekiel has the answers. Psalm 51:10, and Ezekiel 36:25-27.
The Heritage Singers sing beautifully this song.
LEARNING TO LEAN ON JESUS
Learning to lean
Learning to lean
I'm learning to lean on Jesus
Finding more power than I've ever dreamed
I'm learning to lean on Jesus
Learning to lean
Learning to lean
I'm learning to lean on Jesus
Finding more power than I've ever dreamed
I'm learning to lean on Jesus
Sad, broken-hearted, at an altar I knelt
I found peace that was so serene
And all that He asks is a childlike trust
And a heart that is learning to lean
Learning to lean
Learning to lean
I'm learning to lean on Jesus
Finding more power than I've ever dreamed
I'm learning to lean on Jesus
Learning to lean
Learning to lean
I'm learning to lean on Jesus
Finding more power than I've ever dreamed
I'm learning to lean on Jesus
It's always good to have the rest of the story.
Good day, John.
In the wilderness, God fed His people with manna from heaven and gave them water from the rock. Without these gifts, Israel would have perished in the desert. But these provisions pointed to something far greater — to Christ Himself.
Jesus is the Bread of Life, the One who satisfies our hunger for truth, meaning, and hope. Just as manna had to be gathered fresh every morning, we need to come to Him daily for spiritual strength. Yesterday’s portion will not sustain today’s battles.
He is also the Living Water, who quenches the thirst of our souls. Without Him, we run dry, chasing after things that cannot truly refresh us. But when we drink from Him, His Spirit flows within us like a never-ending spring, giving life, joy, and peace.
Physical bread and water can keep our bodies alive for a season. But only Jesus — the true Bread from heaven and the Living Water — can give us life that never ends.
“He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” — John 6:35
It is a well established saying that: 'one can lead a horse to the water, but you cannot make it drink' - describing the autonomy of the individual’s will.
The lesson writer shares the information that: “God gives His people the Holy Spirit to strengthen the believers with “power, love and self-discipline".
This prompts the question:
“How, through/by what 'agency' are these spiritual aspects manifested in a believer’s life?
I hold that these aspects are the ‘outcome’ when 'loving God', but they do not hold power within themselves to bring about Salvation. They are the evidence that the Holy Spirit is at work in the believer's life.
The ‘Bread’ and ‘Water’, representing the essence of the believer’s spiritual sustenance, causes him/her to become ‘alive’ in Christ. Their 'effect' will be manifested in those who ‘love God with all their heart, all their soul, and with all their mind – Matt.22-37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27.
Jesus gives this directive with an authoritative voice – “you shall”! Ones ability to be filled with God's Spirit starts with loving Him - out of humble gratitude for having been found and freed from the bondage of sin.
When ‘loving God’, it leads to walking in His Spirit, unfolding in one's salvation, benefiting all we come in contact with.
He shares His Spirit with us - it is His spiritual Bread and Water which keeps the believer alive – all Glory belongs to God Almighty!
Indeed, Brigitte! We can't make them drink of the Water of Life, but we can "salt their oats," by living out the Christian life in such a winsome way that they will be thirsting for that "Living Water" that we have discovered. After all, we are beggars telling others where we have found "Bread," and the Living Water.
As Jesus said: "not only of bread alone lives the man..." Because He, Himself, is the infinite source of the best water and the best bread. Unfortunately, many are only concerned about what they will drink or eat.