Hungering and Thirsting

This fourth (4^th) Beatitude is presented to us in the analogy of “hunger and thirst”, which are two innate characteristics of all human beings. New born babies hunger and thirst soon after birth. Their hunger and thirst is an INWARD desire that is evidenced by their outward act of eating, i.e. drinking milk. The hunger and thirst of a new born babe does not cause the baby to be born. Their hunger and thirst is evidence they were born. A still born (dead) babe cannot suck its mother’s breast. Eating and drinking does not produce hunger or thirst – Eating and drinking is the evidence of hunger and thirst. Humility or being poor in spirit; godly sorrow or mourning over one’s sin; and being meek or pliable in the hand of God ARE evidences that one has been born of God. When a child of God, “as a new born babe desires the sincere milk of the word” – i.e. hungers and thirst after righteousness, they show forth evidence that they have already been born of God. This Beatitude comes with a qualification, and applies to them “which DO hunger and thirst”. It also has a specific goal, which is to “hunger and thirst AFTER righteousness”. The promise, “they shall be filled” is for them WHICH DO hunger and thirst after righteousness. Hungering and thirsting AFTER righteousness is a characteristic which is unique only to a child of God and follows after humility, mourning and meekness.

I. To “Hunger & Thirst” Meant Something Historically to the Jews

A. They Hungered in the Wilderness of Sin – see Exodus 16:1-3

1. God gave them “Bread” (Manna) from Heaven – see Exodus 16:4-35

2. That Manna typified Christ, the Bread of Life – see John 6:35, 48-51

B. They Thirsted in Rephidim – see Ex 17:1-4

1. God gave them Water from the Rock – see Exodus 17:5-7

2. That ROCK typified Christ, IN whom is eternal life - see I Cor. 10:1-4

3. The Water typified the Grace and Mercy of a Loving God.

Note: The Water was NOT the Rock or eternal Life which is IN Christ. The Water proceeded forth from and because of the Rock.

C. The “Water of Life” or “living water” typifies several things in Scripture.

1. The Gospel of Christ who is our Righteousness - without which one cannot worship God in Spirit and Truth – see John 4:13-14, 4:24

2. The Holy Spirit of Truth dwelling within – see John 7:37-39

3. The full blessings of God’s salvation for his people - see Rev. 21:6, 22:1, 22:17

D. Most of the Natural Jews Despised the Manna and Water of Life –

1. They Chose the Fleshpots of the World - see Numbers 21:4-6 - see Psalms 78:19-25, 29-37

2. Cp the multitude that followed Christ only for the food - see John 6:30-35

3. They could not or would not receive the Doctrine of Grace and went back and followed Him no more – see John 6:52-60

II. “Blessed are THEY WHICH DO hunger and thirst” Implies a Quantity.

A. The whole human race came under the condemnation of sin and death because of the sin of Adam – see Romans 5:12-19

1. ALL of mankind are Sinners by nature – see Romans 3:10, 23, Eph. 2:1-3

2. Physical Death is evidence that ALL are sinners – see Romans 6:23

B. There are Two (2) kinds of people “conceived” into this world: The Righteous and the Wicked (Wheat & Tares, Sheep & Goats, Children of God & Children of Wicked One) – The Elect and those that are not.

1. God chose a people IN Christ before the foundation of the world and Left the Rest in sin and condemnation – see Eph. 1:3-6, Romans 8:28-30, 9:11-24

C. God’s elect, a number no man can number, are quantified “As Many As” – see John 17:2, Acts 2:39, 13:48, and Romans 8:14

1. Not ALL who say “Lord, Lord” are included in the “As Many As” – see Matt 7:21-23 - see II Cor. 11:13-15 Cp Judas was a devil !

III. “They Which DO Hunger & Thirst” Implies an Active Desire of the Heart

A. Of the two (2) Kinds of People in the world – The Wicked and the Righteous - The Wicked Can’t Do Righteousness but the Righteous Can Do Wickedly.

1. The Wicked Desire Evil - see Proverbs 21:10 – see Psalms 10:2-4

2. Some Desired Evil Against Christ - see John 8:37-38, 42-47

Psalms 37:12 “The Wicked plotteth against the just”

3. God HATES Wickedness - see Psalms 5:4-5, Psalms 11, Psalms 34:15-21

4. The Righteous Are Warned To Avoid The Wicked - see Psalms 1

see Proverbs 4:14-19, II Tim 3:1-5, II Cor. 6:1, 6:14 -7:1

B. The Righteous which DO hunger and thirst - Desire Righteousness - see Proverbs 11:23, 10:24, Matthew 6:33

1. His Delight is in The Law of God - see Psalms 1:2 – see I John 3:7

2. He Desires Righteousness Day & Night – see Isaiah 26:3-4, 8-9

3. He Thirst as The Hart Pants for Water - see Psalms 42:1-2

C. All of God’s elect DO NOT hunger and thirst after the Righteousness of Christ in this time world - Some try to establish their own righteousness – see Romans 10:1-4

1. A clear distinction must be made between possessing “eternal life” and being “saved” from one’s ignorance in unbelief. – see Romans 3:3, I Tim. 1:13, Cp the unbelief and ignorance of the eleven apostles – see Mark 16:14

2. Many of God’s people today DO NOT hunger and thirst after righteousness - they are satisfied with their Laodicean position – see Revelation 3:14-18.

We do what we do because of what we are by the grace of God, but we are not what we are because of what we do - see I John 3:7.

Continued in part 2