If you were told to throw bread on water, you would think it very foolish, since it would soon be lost or spoiled; but that is what the wise king told the people to do, and said they would find it, again;
“Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days!”
In lands where the rivers overflow unto the low lands at regular times, as the Nile and the Jordan, the farmers used to throw seed on the edge of the waters, and the waters carried the seeds far unto the land. Then after the waters flowed back, in place, the grain would grow on the wet soil and often make large crops. Perhaps that was what the king meant, for his home was not far from those rivers, and he may have spoken of the seed as “bread”, because grain was used then as now for bread. But anyway; it would be a very uncertain way to sow; the grain might be carried down the river and lost to the men, or there would be too much to grow in some places and not enough in others, so they would not feel sure of the results, but the king said, “thou shalt find it after many days.” You see they must be patient and-wait; and he did not mean that the same bread or grain “cast,” would be found, but a return in another form.
The king was thinking of giving to others, for his next words were:
“Give a portion, to seven and also to eight; for them knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.”
You may wonder why he said give to “seven” but those who have read. the Bible with care have learned that God teaches something by the numbers used, and seven seems to show what is complete (as God marked time by seven days when He made the world). So when the people gave to others, the king meant them to give to all who needed, to seven, and even io more, to eight; which meant, to start over again. The king said they did not know when they, too, might be in need.
Even the clouds teach, it is best to give, for when full of rain they “empty upon the earth”, and whichever way a tree falls it is there to be used. God has given the things of earth freely for all, and He has always taught that His people should help others with what they have; even boys and girls can do much for others, not, perhaps by giving food, but by some kind help.
The very best help to give others is to tell them of the Lord Jesus. Who gave His life on the cross; that is why we tell God’s Word. The king did not know Him as we may now. He is the “Bread of life” to all who will receive Him. He said,
Can you say a Bible verse which would tell of God’s greatest gift to the world? If not, learn this,
ML 08/03/1941