“Have you eaten yet?”

I hear the question, “Have you eaten yet?” on most days. It is a call to fellowship because it is usually precedes a lunch invitation. At other times is a loving reminder from my wife who believes I skip too many meals. So, it is her reminder to not get distracted and pass up on something needed.

Have you ever noticed how often the Bible is referred to in edible terms? 

• Job declared, “I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” (Job 23:12)
• David believed the law of the Lord was “"sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb." (Psalm 19:10)
• Peter encourages Christians, "as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious." (1 Peter 2:2-3)
• Jesus taught that the Word is more essential than our daily bread. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Mt 4:4, Dt 8:3)
• Jeremiah said, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart...” (Jeremiah 15:16)
• The Hebrews writer spoke of the meat of the word, "...you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." (Hebrews 5:12-14)

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled” (Mt 5:6). So to you friend, I lovingly ask, “Have you eaten yet?”

- Josh Allen (Pikeville, KY)