There will be times of conflict with the enemy. Can we afford to be without proper food at such times? King Saul, in 1 Samuel 14, forbad even the eating of food by the armies of Israel, so that they would give themselves only to fighting "until it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies" (verse 24). But Jonathan, who himself was responsible for the victory, had not heard this; and when they found honey upon the ground, "he put out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes became bright" (verse 27).

The Christian must not be so occupied with warfare that he neglects the ministry of the Word of God. As the people were then, he will become so faint that he will be unable to carry on th econflict. But let us take time for the sweet ministry of the Word, and our eyes shall be enlightened: we shall be more fitted for godly warfare according to principles of truth.

"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). How clear is the fact here that the mere literal eating of honey is not the paramount thought in the mind of the Spirit of God; for when there is eating of honey, this causes the knowledge of wisdom to the soul. How plainly therefore does honey symbolize the ministry of the Word of God, which is to be eaten because it is good, and sweet to the taste. Let us pay good heed to Solomon's wise advice here.

But we must consider also how this was true of the blessed Son of God, concerning whom those sublime words are written: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good" (Isaiah 7:14-15). The reality of His manhood and His eternal Godhead are here clearly taught, His very name being "Immanuel," meaning "God with us."

But what is the significance of His eating butter [or "curds"] and honey? In the lowly grace and dependence of true manhood, we find Him consistently feeding upon the truth of God. "The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught" (Isaiah 50:4). Here is constant daily exercise in learning from God. Butter is the cream of the milk in solidified form through churning, and therefore it speaks of the richness of the Word of God made substantial to the soul through the exercise of conscience and heart.