EAT IT ANYWAY

"And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground. And when the people were come into the wood, behold, the honey dropped; but no man put his hand to his mouth: for the people feared the oath. 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. Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint. 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." (1 Sam. 14:26-29).

Israel was engaged in endless conflicts with the Philistines. On one occasion, although the Israelites were at a great disadvantage, the Lord wrought a great victory in their behalf, discomfiting the Philistines and delivering Israel (14:23). Charged by the circumstance, king Saul determined to get vengeance on his enemies. He strictly charged the people, "Cursed be the man who eats food before evening, and until I have avenged myself on my enemies. So none of the people tasted any food" (14:24). His son Jonathan, however, was not present when this order was given. Earlier he had left the camp with his armor bearer to go to a garrison of Philistines. The two of them had slaughtered twenty Philistines in a half-acre plot of ground (14:11-14).

Now Jonathan rejoins the people as they enter into a large forest. The area was literally dripping with refreshing honey. It was dropping from the trees and was all over the ground. Even though the people were weary and hungry, however, they were afraid to take advantage of this great abundance. Not a single man took of the honey and put it in his mouth.

Jonathan, however, was not privy to the commandment of his father. He knew the value of honey, and he knew this was a time when such refreshment was needed. He took the tip of his rod and dipped it into a honeycomb, and put it in his mouth. The results were instantaneous: "his eyes brightened" (NASB). He was refreshed.

Quickly, the people informed him he had sinned–even though he was refreshed. They said eating the honey would bring a curse upon the one daring to do it. Then the Scripture says of those very people, "And the people were faint" (14:28).

Jonathan responded immediately, saying his father's commandment had "troubled the land," not helped it. Holding himself forth as an example, he said, "see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey" (14:29).

How I am able to identify with Jonathan! I remember times in the past when certain aspects of Divine truth were forbidden to me. The main work was to win souls and defeat the enemy. Young disciples like myself were strictly warned about spending time in personal edification and strength. Overcoming the enemy was the matter at hand, and no nourishment was allowed for the soldiers.

In the wake of this approach, vast sections of the Scripture, and certain marvelous truths, were neglected, if not forbidden. The Old Testament was said to have been fulfilled, and thus contained no value for us. The grace of God had been so abused, all some of us ever heard about it was what grace was NOT. The subject of the Holy Spirit was another bit of forbidden food, to be avoided lest we fall into error. There was also the matters of the coming of the Lord, the sinfulness of man, and the Sovereignty of God–all subjects about which very little, if anything, was said.

By the grace of God, I found myself entering into the rich forest of God's Word. Contrary to the doctors of the law, I found rich honey dripping from the trees of the Psalms, and the Prophets. There was an abundance of much needed nourishment all around. The honeycombs of Grace, the Holy Spirit, and the Sovereignty of God were oozing with rich honey. How could I have been so ignorant of this abundance! It was all over the ground!

I dipped my rod into these honeycombs, and my eyes were also enlightened. I found this forbidden honey to be refreshing and illuminating. My view of the Lord and His salvation enlarged. The Psalms became a rich treasury of Divine expression, often stating precisely how I felt, and what I desired. I discovered rich promises in the Prophets that spoke to my needs and rejuvenated my spirit.

How thankful I am I dipped my rod in honey that was not popular among those with whom I had been identified! Whenever you find spiritual honey, eat it without hesitation!

PRAYER POINT: Father, hank you in Jesus name for providing such an abundance of truth that it cannot be ultimately hidden by men.

-- Monday, New series: WE HAVE AN ALTAR --