Since Adam men have in the main sought only for present power and wealth. They have gathered all that the good earth produces to fill their barns against tomorrow, should it bring scarcity, or in the effort to create a monopoly which will help them lever more lucre from less fortunate fellows.
The same spirit of materialism urges forward the present generation of men in general, and sweeps them forward blindly to gather and enjoy the good things of life, to lord it over their fellows should opportunity arise; to eat, drink, and be merry while the going is good; to govern the earth as if they were sole proprietors.
Their ambitions extend beyond earth to the moon, whose possible store of valuable minerals has raised thoughts of gain, and whose position in airless space gives them (should they reach that goal( a very favourable platform from which to extend still further out into the scum- system their dominion.
The bread which perishes claims men’s minds, along with a thousand other desires for material benefit which will perish equally with the bread.
When Israel of old were led out of Egypt by the Angel of God, with demonstrations of matchless power and wisdom, their main thought was for daily bread rather than contemplation about the tremendous power from heaven exercised on their behalf, and for God’s glory.
When their subsequent stubbornness caused the Almighty to condemn an entire generation of them to death in forty years of wilderness wanderings, while being fed on lean rations, Moses afterwards explained to the survivors that the Most High suffered them to hunger and fed them with manna that He might impress on them that men did not live by bread only, but by the very words which proceeded from God’s mouth (Deut. 8. 2, 3).
Israel only dimly understood that they were meant for nobler ends than being blessed with bread and other eatables. A grand destiny as God’s name-bearers throughout the earth was theirs for the effort, but bread alone took their eye. Their outer man waxed fat, while the inner man perished for want of God’s words, which were Spirit and Life for eternity.
Centuries later, when the One foreshadowed by the wilderness manna, stood in their midst, they still understood only the fact that He could supply cheap bread, gained without effort on their part.
Down the centuries came the voice of their God, echoing on through this man who claimed to be God’s Son: “Man shall not live by bread only”. They heard but learnt nothing as a result. They saw, but without beholding their higher destiny.
The Most High, manifested through a Son in their midst, was still attempting to demonstrate to them that His commandments came before mere bread. That His Word meant life unending, eternal! In spite of all, these Israelites saw no further than their fore-fathers did in the wilderness and they likewise perished because they were sustained only by bread which perished too.
And so today, struggling Israel see but dimly their destiny in their fight for survival among the nations.
The bread which perishes is still their main concern, and will be until King Jesus is again in their wondering midst.
With men in general, Israel seeks to establish herself as a sharer in all that life can offer. The great God who gave them and all men life is still in the main an unknown God, because they prefer what they can see and handle of material things, which have no promise of life beyond today.
And what of those who call themselves Brethren of the Lord, who have chosen a better part, as did Mary at Bethany?
They live in perilous times, because they must brave the tide of self-centred modernism, which sweeps past their doors daily. The rush is on for the bread which perishes, and God is being dispensed with more and more. Similar to Noah’s day, the thoughts and meditations of men’s hearts are becoming evil continually, as Jesus warned would be the case in these days preceding His coming to claim His inheritance.
The Divine vengeance is being restrained until the number of the Household has been completed. These who have taken hold of God’s words as being Spirit and Life to them as revealed by Jesus of Nazareth, who spoke as God directed Him, have nothing to gain but everything to lose should they be tempted to go with the tide and be lost on some barren shore.
The night is far spent, and the glorious Day to follow will be long. Their heavenly Father will truly show wonders to the dead when they, in Christ, rise and shine as the stars for ever, and inherit the earth with King Jesus—that grand young man and exalted Son of God, who made their redemption possible.
Harvest gathering is near. Many in the past have sown in tears and blood, but they shall reap in joy. Many have ploughed and sown for us, and we reap their benefits. When King Jesus shall appear and unite His Household, both sower and reaper shall rejoice together in one united and glorified assembly.
This House of glory has been made possible because all the members from the least unto the greatest have lived by the Word of God and not by bread only.
Reflections on the Potter and the Clay