And Jesus answered him, “it is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’”
Luke 4:4
Jesus is quoting from Deuteronomy chapter 8:1-3 where we find Moses reminding the Children of Israel ~
You must carefully follow every commandment I am giving you today, so that you may live and multiply, and enter and possess the land that the LORD swore to give your fathers. Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments. He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of theLORD.…Berean Study Bible.
While we are examining the process and purpose of every test that comes our way, we must remember, our foundation is built from His command. We must engage with our Father to hear what He is saying to us. It must become more than a written word in a book. It must become a living word that has the power of creation in its seed.
As I was reflecting on the life that is found in the word of God. I came across the following notes from Barnes Commentary ~
“And his name is called The Word of God - The name which in Revelation 19:12 it is said that no one knew but he himself. This name is Ὁ λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ Ho logos tou Theou, or "the Logos of God." That is, this is his unique name; a name which belongs only to him, and which distinguishes him from all other beings. The name "Logos," as applicable to the Son of God, and expressive of his nature, is found in the New Testament only in the writings of John, and is used by him to denote the higher or divine nature of the Saviour. In regard to its meaning, and the reason why it is applied to him, see the notes on John 1:1 (https://biblehub.com/john/1-1.htm).
The following may be some of the reasons why it is said Revelation 19:12 that no one understands this but he himself:
(1) No one but he can understand its full import, as it implies so high a knowledge of the nature of the Deity;
(2) no one but he can understand the relation which it supposes in regard to God, or the relation of the Son to the Father;
(3) no one but he can understand what is implied in it, regarded as the method in which God reveals himself to his creatures on earth;….”
All worth considering because we can never allow ourselves to separate ‘the word of God” from the person of Jesus Christ and His activities. I am the words I speak, even so, can the Father’s words be anything less than the expression of Jesus Christ and His activities?
“The Son of God may be called "the Word," because he is the medium by which God promulgates His will and issues His commandments.” Barnes Commentary.
In the wilderness, we find Jesus setting forth the way of escape through the articulation of what He has heard the Father decree. Our position in times of testing is crucial. The greater our personal press the greater the need for separation to engage with the one who is our wisdom. The end goal to all testing is to be found perfect and complete that we might receive the crown of life promised to those who love him, James 1: 12. During testing I must always remember there is a way of escape that I might bear it. Remember Jesus’ words to the chosen three in Gethsemane “pray, so you won’t enter into temptation.
Here, we have no options but to go on through. God offers no shortcuts but the one who tempts us with evil certainly does. Bow down and worship me. Embrace the lie, eat the fruit, you won’t die.
Even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we fear no evil for He is with us. His rod and His staff comfort us and we never, never, never, lose the ability to be thankful to and for the one who is faithful in all things.