Hunger

A state of emptiness, reflecting a lack of physical or spiritual food. Scripture recognises the physical aspects of human hunger which can only be met by the living God.

Kinds of hunger

Physical

Deuteronomy 8:3

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 the LORD.

Spiritual

Matthew 5:6 See also Psalm 63:1, Psalm 63:5, Psalm 107:9; Amos 8:11; Luke 6:21; John 6:35; 1 Peter 2:2

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Causes of hunger

Famine

Genesis 41:55; 2 Kings 6:25–29; Nehemiah 5:1–2

Fasting

Matthew 4:2 parallel Luke 4:2

Fatigue

1 Samuel 21:3; 2 Samuel 17:29; Matthew 12:1–4; Mark 6:35–36, Mark 8:2–3

Folly

Proverbs 19:15, Proverbs 20:4; Luke 15:14

God's action

Leviticus 26:26; Deuteronomy 28:48; Isaiah 5:13, Isaiah 9:20; Ezekiel 7:19

The hardships of gospel work

1 Corinthians 4:11; 2 Corinthians 6:5, 2 Corinthians 11:27; Philippians 4:12

Effects of hunger

Physical deterioration

Job 30:3; Lamentations 2:19, Lamentations 4:9

Mental preoccupation

Isaiah 29:8; Acts 10:10–13 Peter's consciousness was supernaturally heightened to receive a vision from God.

Moral degradation

Leviticus 26:29; Deuteronomy 28:53; 2 Kings 6:28–29; Jeremiah 19:9; Lamentations 2:20, Lamentations 4:10; Ezekiel 5:10

An occasion for temptation

Genesis 3:6 Eve; Genesis 25:29–34 Esau; Proverbs 6:30–31; Isaiah 8:21; Matthew 4:3 parallel Luke 4:3 Jesus Christ

An opportunity for proving God

Deuteronomy 8:3; Nehemiah 9:15; Philippians 4:12

God satisfies hunger

He provides food for all creation

Psalm 107:9, Psalm 145:15–16 See also Deuteronomy 32:13–14; Psalm 17:14, Psalm 37:25, Psalm 104:21, Psalm 104:27–28, Psalm 111:5, Psalm 132:15, Psalm 136:25, Psalm 146:7, Psalm 147:9; Isaiah 49:10

For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

He provides through supernatural means

Psalm 78:24–25 See also Exodus 16:12–15; 1 Kings 17:4–16; Nehemiah 9:15; Matthew 14:19–21 parallels Mark 6:41–44, Luke 9:16–17, John 6:11–14 the feeding of the 5,000; Mark 8:7–8

He rained down manna for them to eat; He gave them grain from heaven. Man ate the bread of angels; He sent them food in abundance.

He provides through natural means

Genesis 3:17–19; Joshua 5:12; Proverbs 16:26; Isaiah 58:7; Matthew 25:35; 2 Thessalonians 3:10

He provides completely in heaven

Revelation 7:16

Jesus Christ was hungry

Matthew 4:2 parallel Luke 4:2; Matthew 21:18 parallel Mark 11:12; John 4:31