Ol’ bright eyes

“and his eyes became bright” 1 Samuel 14:27

A beloved verse! Jonathan the valiant disregards his father’s foolish command (after the fact, for he knew it not) and is strengthened by wild honey, even as he singlehandedly surged Israel into victory (his armor bearer worked cleanup, verse 13).

The brightness of the eyes signifies life, energy, vigor, and quickening. We would not be wrong in saying that Jonathan, in this instance, was lit. The honey did the trick. What a marvelous, magical kind of food! God’s premium candy. Is not wisdom as such to our souls?

My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 24:13-14

Wisdom, insight, or knowledge of God quickens our whole self, and sharpens the eyes of our hearts. “Those who look to him are radiant” (Psalm 34:5). We see better, and attempt more, when we are in such a state. This wakeful frame of spirit is most desirable.

So let’s be off to the goods! Just as the busy bees transform nectar into honey, so the apostles and prophets, busy with revelations of God, have produced wisdom in its final form: the sweet honeycomb of the Scriptures.

We are fools to pass it by! Some have even vowed, like Saul, to fast (verse 24), closing their Bibles to listen to the voice of the Spirit, as they say. But only a strange spirit would suggest such a strange thing. The Spirit of God speaks in this word, and gives this wisdom. This is not the fast that God has chosen!

Let us freely taste of the wild honey that drips throughout God’s word as we journey heavenward. In it we will find pleasure and profit, and much power. Get ahold of some today.