Physical food is for the body, God’s Word is for the Soul
(God is concerned about what we eat)
Text Leviticus 11: Genesis 2:15-17; Amos 8:11-12 John 6:52-59 One of the things that defiles human beings (makes us unclean) is the food we eat. For this reason, God is concerned with what we eat, both physically and spiritually.
Physical things have their spiritual versions (types). Examples. Circumcision of the flesh, and circumcision of the heart (Rom 2:25-28 ). The OT Tabernacle was a symbolic copy of the heavenly one (Heb. 8:5; 9:11). Baptism of water and baptism of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:20-21). The natural man was Adam, the Spiritual man is Christ (1 Cor 15:47; Genesis 2:7).
Food is for the physical body, whereas God's word is for the soul. E.g., Deut 8:3; Amos 8:11-12 Food gives, e.g., nutrients to the body. God’s word gives peace, atonement, eternal life, joy, knowledge, righteousness to the soul, etc. (2 Tim 3:14-17). The physical gives us an idea about the spiritual. If we respect the physical, we receive grace for the spiritual. Lack of spiritual understanding is a sign of our disobedience to God (John 3:12)
A famine of God’s word and the Holy Spirit in the last days (Amos 8:11-13): This is a prophecy as a pattern until it finds its fulfilment in Christ Jesus.
Jesus Christ is the living bread people are searching for in life; whoever feeds on him, believes in him, shall be satisfied (John 6:48-59) and filled (John 7:37-39).
Questions for discussion.
Who is feeding you? See Matthew 4:1-4
When do you need physical food, and when do you need spiritual food?