Butter and Honey
Today’s Verse:
Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. ~Isaiah 7:15
Texas Roadhouse® restaurants are famous and really good for their steaks. However, almost everyone also enjoys the fresh rolls that they make on site. When the rolls are served, I enjoy adding butter and, many times, honey. There’s something about butter and honey that make hot, freshly-baked rolls really delicious. This morning, let us see the spiritual importance of butter and honey.
We see the representation.
Butter is made from the cream that rises to the top. We sometimes refer to the excellence of someone or something as “the cream that rises to the top.” We think of butter as the rich cream. Butter in the Bible can mean the cream that rises to the top, but it also refers to the curd, or cheese, that was made from the top of milk. Curd left out for a period of time was known to have a strong, intoxicating influence over the one who consumed it. Symbolically, butter pictures the richness and influence of the Word of God. Honey is also used in description of the Word of God (Ezekiel 3:3; Revelation. 10:9). In fact, it is called sweeter than honey and the honeycomb (Psalm 19:10). Butter and honey represent the richness, sweetness, and nourishing effect of the Word of God in our lives.
We see the rejuvenation.
“Butter and honey shall he eat.” In 1 Samuel 14:27, Jonathan dipped the end of his rod into a honeycomb to draw honey to himself. As soon as he tasted the honey, his eyes were enlightened. He was rejuvenated and strengthened. Health experts recommend eating a tablespoon of honey when you are very hungry or famished to help rejuvenate your body. God’s Word, in a similar fashion, is necessary to revive and rejuvenate us. We must desire the sincere milk of the Word, that we may grow thereby. We are to partake of the meat of the Word to give us spiritual muscle.
We see the recognition.
“...That he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.” We must make a regular and healthy diet of the Word of God in our life daily in order to be discerning. “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" (Hebrews 5:14). God’s Word develops the conscience by revealing the absolute of truth. “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” Refuse the evil and choose the good.
We see the requirement.
“And it shall come to pass, for the abundance of milk that they shall give he shall eat butter: for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the land.” Butter and honey of the Word is for everyone in the land. The Christian life is our land of promise. We are to claim our spiritual inheritance and all that God has to bestow on us. Butter and honey are yours for the taking. Don’t starve your soul. "Butter and honey shall he eat."
Have a butter-and-honey God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 1Kings 18-20