Bridges on Proverbs 24:13-14
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 24:13-14
 
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13.  My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste: {to...: Heb. upon thy palate 14.  So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.
 
Honey was the choice procuct of Canaan;† the food of its inhabitants,† even of children;† good and sweet to the taste. ‘So,’ when “the spiritual senses were exercised,”† ‘shalt thou find the knowledge of wisdom unspeakably delectable to thy soul;’† —  that knowledge of Christ, without which we are undone, and in which we are supremely happy.† Eating only can convey what the most accurate description fails to give, a just perception of the sweetness of the honey-comb. (Judges 14:18.) Experimental knowledge alone gives spiritual discernment, and proves the gospel to be, not a golden dream, but a divine reality. And who ever mistakes honey for any other substance? Who would not instantly detect a counterfeit? And what intelligent Christian would mistake the semblance of heavenly wisdom for its substance? ‘Lord! I have long wanted the true manna; all my former food was nothing but empty husks.’† Truly indeed the soul, hungering for bread, and feeding upon an experimental apprehension of Christian doctrine, realizes solidly what no formalist ever knows. He possesses a plausible shadow —  emotion, impulse, conviction, external reformation. (Hebrews 6:4, 5.) But the living faith carries its own witness with it. ‘It is all true —  “I believed, and therefore have I spoken.”’ (2 Corinthians 4:13.) The treasure is found with the transport of Archimedes —  bringing its own reward.†
The expectation of the finder, so far from being cut off, shall be infinitely exceeded. “The love” that is manifested “passeth knowledge.” (Ephesians 3:19.) “The peace” that is sealed “passeth all understanding.” (Philippians 4:7.) “The joy” that is felt is “unspeakable, and full of glory.” (1 Peter 1:8.) Shall we then timidly exhibit these privileges, as if they would lower the obligations of holiness, or paralyze exertion? They are not opiates, but cordials. They invigorate, while they refresh. Depression unnerves; fear enchains; but “the joy of the LORD is strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10.) It inspires energy, elevates hope, and makes our ‘service perfect freedom.’
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Exodus 3:8. Ezekiel 20:6.
 
 
Exodus 3:8
8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
 
Ezekiel 20:6
6 In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:
 
 
Footnote:
Judges 14:9. 1 Samuel 14:27. Matthew 3:4. Luke 24:41, 42. Compare Ecclesiasticus 39:26.
 
 
Judges 14:9
9 And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion.
 
1 Samuel 14:27
27 But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.
 
Matthew 3:4
4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
 
Luke 24:41, 42
41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
 
Compare
Ecclesiasticus 39:26
26 The principal things for the whole use of man's life are water, fire, iron, and salt, flour of wheat, honey, milk, and the blood of the grape, and oil, and clothing.
 
 
Footnote:
Isaiah 7:15.
 
 
Isaiah 7:15
15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
 
 
Footnote:
Hebrews 5:14.
 
 
Hebrews 5:14
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. {of full age: or, perfect} {use: or, an habit, or, perfection}
 
 
Footnote:
Bp. Hall. Chapter 16:24. Psalm 19:10; 119:103.
 
 
Proverbs 16:24
24 ¶ Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
 
Psalm 19:10
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. {the honeycomb: Heb. the dropping of honeycombs}
 
Psalm 119:103
103 ¶ How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! {taste: Heb. palate}
 
 
Footnote:
Philippians 3:8. ‘Lo! this’ — says good Bishop Hall — ‘is the honey that I desire to eat. Give me of this honey, and I shall receive (like Jonathan of old, 1 Samuel 14:29) both clearness to mine eyes and vigor of my spirits, to the foiling of my spiritual enemies.’ — Soliloquies, liv.
 
 
Philippians 3:8
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
 
1 Samuel 14:29
29 Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.
 
 
Judges 14:18
18 And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle.
 
 
Footnote:
Augustine.
 
 
Hebrews 6:4, 5
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
 
 
2 Corinthians 4:13
13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
 
 
Footnote:
Eurhka, eurhka. (Eureka, Eureka.) Compare Jeremiah 15:16.
 
 
Compare
Jeremiah 15:16
16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. {I am...: Heb. thy name is called upon me}
 
 
Ephesians 3:19
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
 
 
Philippians 4:7
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
 
 
1 Peter 1:8
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
 
 
Nehemiah 8:10
10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.