God's Word is Sweeter than Honey!
"The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward." ~ Psalm 19:7-11 KJV
I think it's fair to say that most people desire gold. People all over the world recognize the value of gold. Money talks, and it talks loud and proud in every land that engages in buying and selling. Consequently, people the world over desire gold/money. Gold has universal appeal.
I also think it's fair to say that most people like honey. People all over the world enjoy the benefits of honey. It's easy to store, it's a great source of energy, it's a natural cough syrup and antioxidant, it's a wound healer and a sleep promoter. And to top it off, honey is sweet not bitter, which makes it pleasing to taste. Honey also has universal appeal.
In Psalm 19, King David takes these two items of universal appeal, gold and honey, and compares them to the incomparable Word of God. He states that the law of the LORD, the testimony of the LORD, the statutes of the LORD, are to be desired more than much fine gold, and "they" are more pleasant to his taste than honey.
There's no doubt gold and honey have universal appeal, but does the Word of God have universal appeal? Never mind universal appeal. Does God's Word have personal appeal? Do I desire the judgments of the LORD, the fear of the LORD, the commandment of the LORD, more than I desire gold? According to the inspired King David, my desire for the Word of God should be much STRONGER than my desire for fine gold. According to the sweet psalmist of Israel, I should find more sweetness in the Word of God than I find in honey and the honeycomb!
Furthermore, as children of the kingdom, we should understand the benefits of having God's Word to guide our steps. "By them [the law, the testimony, the fear, the statutes, etc.] Your servant is warned." The scriptures guide our steps on this pilgrim's journey, warning us of dangers to avoid.
We find the same sentiment a hundred chapters later in Psalm 119:19, where the writer pleads, "I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me." He doesn't say, "I'm a stranger in the earth: give me gold, much fine gold." No! He pleads, "I'm a stranger in the earth: open my eyes and show me Your commandments." During our pilgrim's journey, we need the wisdom of God's WORD much more than we need gold!
Matthew Henry writes, "The whole word of God, even as David had it, was in his judgment more valuable, because more useful to him than gold, than fine gold, than much fine gold; and was more pleasant than honey to his taste. See how highly he prized the commandments of God. It is the character of all true believers, that they prefer their religion and the word of God far before all the wealth of the world. Gold is of the earth, earthly; but grace is the image of the heavenly. Gold is only for the body, and the concerns of time; but grace is for the soul, and the concerns of eternity. The word of God, received by faith, is sweet to the soul, sweeter than honey and the honey-comb."
But I have to ask myself: Can I honestly say that I estimate the Word of God to be of greater value than gold? Do I pursue an understanding of the Word with the same enthusiasm I would display if I were on a TV show competing for a boat-load of gold nuggets? Is the Word of God more pleasing to my taste than a sweet spoon of honey? Am I excited that JAH promises "great reward" to those who follow His Word?
I must confess that I can't honestly answer "yes" to those questions. I fall short. And in those areas where I fall short, may JAH grant me the grace and strength to "press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 3:14 NKJV
Grace, Peace and Jahspeed!