He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied you.
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Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
21. ..."And He fed them of the fat of wheat, and from the rock with honey He satisfied them" (ver. 16). In the wilderness from the rock He brought forth water, not honey. "Honey" is wisdom, holding the first place for sweetness among the viands of the heart. How many enemies of the Lord, then, that lie unto the Lord, are fed not only of the fat of wheat, but also from the rock with honey, from the wisdom of Christ? How many are delighted with His word, and with the knowledge of His sacraments, with the unfolding of His parables, how many are delighted, how many applaud with clamour! And this honey is not from any chance person, but "from the rock." But "the Rock was Christ." How many, then, are satisfied with that honey, cry out, and say, It is sweet; say, Nothing better, nothing sweeter could be thought or said! and yet the enemies of the Lord have lied unto Him. I like not to dwell any more on matters of grief; although the Psalm endeth in terror to this purpose, yet from the end of ...
And. Or "though. "This increases their ingratitude.
Filled. Hebrew, "I will fill thee "which reading few admit. St. Jerome agrees with us. (Berthier)
Protestants, (16) "the haters of the Lord should have submitted (marginal note, lied) to him; but their time should have endured for ever. (17) He should have fed them, (v rather signifies "him "Haydock) also with the finest of wheat, and with honey out of the rock, should I have satisfied thee. "This sudden change seems rather abrupt, though God may have spoken either in the first or third person, from ver. 6. (Haydock)
Rock. He fed them in the desert with manna, and the water seemed most delicious, as they were thirsty; unless he speaks of real honey. (Menochius)
The promised land was very fruitful; but all this prefigured the favours which God bestows upon his servants, in the blessed Eucharist, 1 Corinthians x. 4. (Calmet)
How many, like Judas, partake of them, and prove faithless! (St. Augustine)
