“Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it” – Psalm 81:10ff

Throughout history, men have been controlled by their want for bread. During the Russell Crowe film, The Gladiator, there was an interesting glimpse of Roman history where bread was thrown to the excited citizens who assembled to watch the games. The movie depicted reality. Emperor Hadrian said,

“I consider it good policy that the prince did not neglect the theatre or the circus and arena, as he well knew that there are two things which the Roman applaud especially—the distribution of grain, and games. The neglect of the important thing [grains] causes great harm, of the frivolous thing [entertainment] greater hatred—the crowd hungering more for games than for bread, because by the gift to the people [congiarium] only those who are authorized to receive the grain will be gratified, while by the games the whole population is pacified.”1

The movie depicted the very real policy of Rome to control the citizens by providing “games” and loaves of bread.

Man will sell his soul and give up his freedom for a loaf of bread. Israel cried and moaned in the wilderness as they complained to Moses how they were better off in Egypt (Ex. 16:3). God was disappointed with His people for their lack of faith. Hundreds of years later, Jeremiah addressed the same tendency in God’s people.

“We have given the hand to the Egyptians, and to the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread.” (Lam. 5:6).

With the natural need to eat, the devil has been known to exploit it for his own devices. He tempted Jesus with bread, who responded that “man shall live on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Mt. 4:4). This slavery to the flesh means a loss of freedom and a neglect of things more important. Paul spoke of choosing between two different mindsets; we must set our minds on the things of the Spirit and not on things of the flesh which will bring death (Romans 8:6). The carnally-minded will make the same choice as Israel to have their bellies filled at the expense of freedom to serve God. In the quest for security and other creature comforts, our relationship with God may be jeapordized. It’s important to test all things so that we are not wanting what will take us from God. And if we seek the will of God, He will satisfy our needs; He will satisfy our deepest wants.

“I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels.” (Psalm 81:10-12)

Can we learn from the mistakes of others? If we trust in the Lord, He will satisfy our deep and personal needs. Listen to these words:

“1Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk Without money and without cost. Isa 55:2 “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance.

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1. Ferdinand Gregorovius. The Emperor Hadrian. Macmillan. 1898. ISBN 0-7905-5228-0. p 214. Referenced by Wikipedia at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congiarium#_note-2

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