Bridging the Testaments: The Fulfilment of Old Testament Scripture in Matthew 5:6
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”
Where It Took Place, Timeline, and Audience for Each of the Verses
- Matthew 5:6:
This verse is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (circa AD 27-30), delivered on a hill in Galilee. Jesus’ audience includes His disciples and a multitude of people. The Sermon on the Mount presents the values of the kingdom of heaven, focusing on inward spiritual qualities rather than external actions. - Isaiah 55:1-2:
“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy you? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.”
Written in the 8th century BC, Isaiah addresses the people of Israel, offering them an invitation to spiritual nourishment and fulfilment through God’s provision. It reflects God’s desire to satisfy the spiritual hunger of His people. - Psalm 42:1-2:
“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?”
This psalm expresses the deep longing for God, written by David around the 10th century BC. It captures the soul’s desire for communion with God and the satisfaction that only He can provide.
Key Keywords
- Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness: This refers to a deep, intense longing for a relationship with God and living in accordance with His will.
- Righteousness: In a Biblical sense, this is right standing with God, often connected to justice, moral integrity, and obedience to God’s commandments.
- Fulfilment: The promise that those who seek God and His righteousness will find spiritual satisfaction and divine favour.
Old Testament Scriptures with Similar Themes
- Isaiah 55:1-2:
The passage invites those who thirst to come to God for spiritual nourishment and satisfaction, emphasising that true fulfilment comes from seeking God rather than worldly pursuits. This aligns with Jesus’ promise in Matthew 5:6 that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled. - Psalm 42:1-2:
The psalmist’s longing for God is a vivid image of spiritual thirst, one that can only be quenched by communion with God. This mirrors the hunger and thirst for righteousness Jesus speaks of in Matthew 5:6. - Psalm 107:9:
“For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.”
This psalm emphasises God’s ability to satisfy those who seek Him, linking physical hunger with spiritual fulfilment. It points to God’s promise to fill the deepest desires of the heart when it longs for righteousness and goodness.
How Matthew 5:6 Reflects and Fulfils Old Testament Scriptures
In Matthew 5:6, Jesus builds on the Old Testament theme of spiritual longing, expressed through the metaphors of hunger and thirst. Throughout the Old Testament, God’s people are described as yearning for divine justice, righteousness, and communion with God. In Isaiah 55:1-2, God invites His people to come and receive what satisfies their souls—paralleling Jesus’ promise that those who seek righteousness will find satisfaction.
The Old Testament frequently portrays physical hunger and thirst as symbols of deeper spiritual needs. In the wilderness, Israel experienced literal hunger and thirst, but God used those moments to teach them to depend on Him for their spiritual sustenance as well. Jesus fulfils this idea by declaring that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled, promising spiritual nourishment for those who seek God.
Psalm 42:1-2 captures the intense desire for God’s presence and righteousness. This mirrors Jesus’ words, as both passages express the heart’s deep need for God’s righteous character. Jesus teaches that righteousness is not merely following laws but encompasses a deep, relational longing for God.
Scholars interpret Matthew 5:6 as an expression of the deep spiritual longing that characterises true discipleship. The use of hunger and thirst as metaphors indicates that righteousness is not simply a casual desire but an essential need for survival, much like food and water. The passage suggests that those who pursue righteousness with this kind of intensity will be blessed, finding ultimate satisfaction in God.
The concept of righteousness in Matthew is multifaceted, referring both to personal holiness and to the justice and right relationships that God’s kingdom brings. It implies not only moral conduct but also the establishment of God’s justice in the world. Jesus’ promise that those who hunger for righteousness will be filled echoes Old Testament assurances that God satisfies the soul that seeks Him.
Fulfilment in Jesus: Jesus not only affirms the Old Testament promise of spiritual satisfaction for those who seek righteousness but also embodies the fulfilment of this longing. He is the source of righteousness and the means by which believers are filled. The verse reflects the eschatological hope of the kingdom of God, where ultimate justice and righteousness will be fully realised.
Meaning of Keywords
- “Hunger” (Greek: πεινάω – peinaō): Refers to a deep, intense need for nourishment. In the context of this verse, it conveys a metaphorical hunger for God and righteousness.
- “Thirst” (Greek: διψάω – dipsaō): Means to thirst, also indicating a deep, essential longing for God and the things of His kingdom.
- “Righteousness” (Greek: δικαιοσύνη – dikaiosynē): Refers to both moral uprightness and right standing with God. It includes personal integrity, social justice, and living according to God’s will.
- “Filled” (Greek: χορτάζω – chortazō): To be fully satisfied or fed to the point of contentment. It suggests complete fulfilment in both a physical and spiritual sense.
Application for Today’s Christians
For modern Christians, Matthew 5:6 challenges believers to cultivate a deep, sustained desire for God and His righteousness. This beatitude emphasises the importance of seeking not just personal morality but also justice, integrity, and alignment with God’s will.
Practical applications include:
- Seeking Righteousness Above All Else: Encourages believers to prioritise their relationship with God and align their lives with His principles. This includes striving for both personal holiness and advocating for justice in the world.
- Trusting in God’s Promise of Fulfilment: Reminds Christians that spiritual fulfilment comes from God alone. As they hunger and thirst for righteousness, they are assured that God will fill their hearts with His peace, joy, and presence.
- Persevering in the Pursuit of God: This verse reassures Christians that their spiritual desires will not go unmet. In a world filled with distractions, believers are called to focus on their spiritual needs, trusting that God will satisfy them in His timing.
In conclusion, Matthew 5:6 builds on the Old Testament theme of spiritual longing for God’s righteousness, promising that those who pursue it with intensity will be fully satisfied. Jesus connects the physical needs of hunger and thirst with a deeper spiritual need for righteousness, drawing from passages like Isaiah 55 and Psalm 42 to emphasise God’s promise of satisfaction for those who seek Him. For today’s Christians, this verse serves as both a challenge to pursue righteousness wholeheartedly and a reassurance that God will meet their deepest spiritual needs.