Once More: The Miraculous Feeding

Originally posted on July 04, 2007 – by Andre Piet

Last Sunday, I spoke about the miracle of the five loaves and the two fish. I showed that this miracle is a ‘picture’ of the present time.

• it takes place after Jesus’ rejection in Jerusalem (John 6:1);
• it takes place outside Judea, in Galilee, the region of “the nations” (Matt. 4:15);
• it takes place “on the other side of the sea,” with the sea, like Galilee, being a representation of the sea of nations;
• Jesus is seated on high (John 6:3);
• everyone who comes to Him receives “life and superabundance”;
• the two fish have a remarkable connection with the Age of Pisces of the past two thousand years.

After the miraculous feeding, no less than twelve baskets of bread turn out to be left over. That must of course be a picture of the abundance that will come to Israel (the twelve tribes). In other words: after the Age of Pisces, and thus in the New Age of Aquarius. Needless to say, perhaps: the Water-Bearer who pours out his pitcher of water upon the (parched) earth is a type of Him who, in the near future, will pour out His Spirit on all flesh (cf. John 7:37–39 and Joel 2:28).

The end of the first miraculous feeding (with the remainder of the twelve baskets) immediately links to the second miraculous feeding, which we read about in Matthew 15 and Mark 8. Just as the first miraculous feeding speaks of the present time, so the second miraculous feeding speaks of the future Messianic kingdom. Hence also the prominence of the number ‘seven’: seven loaves at the beginning and seven baskets remaining. The seven refers to the world-Sabbath that will soon dawn. And how telling it is that this miracle too (as so often) took place on the third day (Mark 8:2). Just like the miracle of wine in Cana (John 2:1). And also the second miracle in that same place (John 4:43,46). Time and again: “the third day.” The third day refers in the Bible by definition to resurrection from the dead. In a more prophetic sense, it points to the period that follows after the (present) two days of a thousand years (cf. 2 Peter 3:8), when the LORD will return to Israel to give them, and the remaining nations, new life (Hosea 6:1–3).

How special it is to remember these things while “the third day” will not be long in coming!

P.S.
Have you noticed that in these accounts, God’s abundance is inversely proportional to man’s share in it? When four thousand men were gathered and only seven loaves were available, seven baskets were left. But when a thousand more men were gathered, with even fewer loaves, no less than twelve baskets were left afterward.
The greatness of the need and the small contribution man can make are never an obstacle for God to prove Himself abundantly. Quite the opposite!

Delen: