Honey: Moderation Needful in the Use of
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Topical Encyclopedia
Honey, a natural sweetener produced by bees, holds a significant place in biblical literature, symbolizing abundance, delight, and the richness of God's provision. However, the Scriptures also caution against excessive indulgence in honey, emphasizing the virtue of moderation.

Biblical References and Symbolism

Honey is frequently mentioned in the Bible as a symbol of prosperity and divine blessing. The Promised Land is described as "a land flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8), illustrating the abundance and fertility that awaited the Israelites. Honey's sweetness is also used metaphorically to describe the pleasantness of wisdom and the Word of God: "How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey in my mouth!" (Psalm 119:103).

Warnings Against Excess

Despite its positive connotations, the Bible warns against overindulgence in honey. Proverbs 25:16 advises, "If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it" . This proverb underscores the importance of self-control and the potential consequences of excess. The physical discomfort resulting from overeating honey serves as a metaphor for the spiritual and moral pitfalls of intemperance.

Similarly, Proverbs 25:27 states, "It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one's own glory" . Here, the comparison between excessive consumption of honey and the pursuit of personal glory suggests that both can lead to negative outcomes. The pursuit of self-aggrandizement, like the overconsumption of honey, can result in a loss of honor and respect.

Spiritual Lessons

The biblical exhortation to moderation in the consumption of honey extends beyond dietary habits to encompass broader spiritual principles. The call for moderation reflects a deeper understanding of human nature and the need for balance in all aspects of life. It serves as a reminder that even good things, when taken to excess, can become detrimental.

In the context of Christian living, the moderation in the use of honey can be seen as an allegory for the disciplined life that believers are called to lead. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often speaks of self-control as a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and encourages believers to exercise restraint in their desires and actions.

Practical Application

For the faithful, the biblical teachings on honey and moderation offer practical guidance. In a world where excess is often celebrated, the scriptural call to moderation serves as a countercultural reminder to seek balance and self-discipline. By applying these principles, believers can cultivate a life that honors God, reflects His wisdom, and avoids the pitfalls of excess.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Proverbs 25:16,27
Have you found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for you, lest you be filled therewith, and vomit it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The First Theological Oration.
... am not saying that it is not needful to remember ... unseasonable; nor all teaching,
but only want of moderation. As of even honey repletion and satiety, though it ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxvii the first theological.htm

The Sermon on the Mount.
... is not a petition for milk and honey, symbols of ... staff and necessity, and for bread
in moderation"bestowed day ... This is the one thing needful to the soul in ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlii the sermon on the 5.htm

Against Foolish Talking and Jesting.
... than bitter taunts and scoffs: whence this honey soon turns ... should do it with measure
and moderation; not giving ... remiss in affairs more proper or needful for us ...
/.../against foolish talking and jesting.htm

Homilies on the Statues.
... 1041]33; easily misjudged, [1042]334; moderation urged, [1043 ... Fear, needful to holy
men, [1072]334; a chastisement ... Honey, water so called, [1308]352; as a feast ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/homilies on the statues.htm

Letter Liv. To Furia.
... are only harmless when taken sparingly and in moderation. ... land of promise that flows
with milk and honey. ... for himself the provision which is needful for his ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter liv to furia.htm

Hebrews v. 3-Jan
... senses exercised." Thou seest that it is needful to exercise ... all fallen away from
want of moderation, [2860] some ... but to my "throat"); "more than honey and the ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily viii hebrews v 3-jan.htm

How Christ Performed the Office of Redeemer in Procuring Our ...
... 1. Every thing needful for us exists in Christ ... whatever is set before us is insipid;
in fine, honey in the ... As no moderation can be seen in the depravity of our ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 16 how christ performed.htm

A Discourse of the Building, Nature, Excellency, and Government of ...
... Let temperance then, with moderation be As bounds to our ... man himself, may plainly
see, That honey's gotten by ... patterns of good works"and, if needful, to be ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse of the building.htm

Book Ten from Autobiography to Self-Analysis. ...
... while actually smelling nothing; and I prefer honey to mead ... matter of doubt whether
it is the needful care of ... to what is sufficient for the moderation of health ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book ten from autobiography to.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1808, to the ...
... he filled for several terms, with the needful intervening years ... to break over the
bounds of moderation; but in ... dropped from his lips like honey descending from ...
/.../chapter 8 from the close.htm

Resources
Who was Jonathan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the purpose of the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about prostitution? Will God forgive a prostitute? | GotQuestions.org

Honey: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Honey

Honey in the Honeycomb Sweetest and Most Valuable

Honey was Eaten with Butter

Honey was Eaten with Locusts

Honey was Eaten with Milk

Honey was Eaten with the Honeycomb

Honey was Eaten: Mixed With Flour

Honey was Eaten: Plain

Honey: Abounded in Assyria

Honey: Abounded in Canaan

Honey: Abounded in Egypt

Honey: Abundant in Assyria

Honey: An Article of Merchandise from Palestine

Honey: Esteemed a Wholesome Food

Honey: Exported from Canaan

Honey: First Fruits of, offered to God

Honey: Found in Carcases of Dead Animals

Honey: Found in Rocks

Honey: Found in Woods

Honey: Found Upon the Ground

Honey: Gathered and Prepared by Bees

Honey: General Scriptures Concerning

Honey: God the Giver of

Honey: Holy Speech of Saints

Honey: Lips of a Strange Woman

Honey: Loathed by Those Who are Full

Honey: Moderation Needful in the Use of

Honey: Not to be offered With Any Sacrifice

Honey: Not to be offered With Sacrifices

Honey: Often Sent As a Present

Honey: Pleasant Words

Honey: Plentiful in Palestine

Honey: Samson's Riddle Concerning

Honey: Sent As a Present by Jacob to Egypt

Honey: Sweetness of

Honey: The Word of God

Honey: Wisdom

Related Terms

Honey-comb (9 Occurrences)

Floweth (16 Occurrences)

Honeycomb (9 Occurrences)

Bee (1 Occurrence)

Dropping (33 Occurrences)

Tasted (18 Occurrences)

Butter (10 Occurrences)

Curd (8 Occurrences)

Comb (3 Occurrences)

Curds (9 Occurrences)

Sweeter (4 Occurrences)

Pannag (1 Occurrence)

Milk (66 Occurrences)

Flowing (123 Occurrences)

Nectar (2 Occurrences)

Jebusites (29 Occurrences)

Jeb'usites (30 Occurrences)

Drippings (2 Occurrences)

Balsam (10 Occurrences)

Bees (5 Occurrences)

Cruse (11 Occurrences)

Amorite (81 Occurrences)

Sweetness (11 Occurrences)

Hittite (45 Occurrences)

Hivite (25 Occurrences)

Hivites (24 Occurrences)

Jebusite (39 Occurrences)

Manna (19 Occurrences)

Wine (282 Occurrences)

Meal-time (1 Occurrence)

Mealtime (1 Occurrence)

Food (2953 Occurrences)

Drop (32 Occurrences)

Meals (8 Occurrences)

Sworn (118 Occurrences)

Canaanite (74 Occurrences)

Sware (90 Occurrences)

Stomach (40 Occurrences)

Vine-gardens (41 Occurrences)

Olive-oil (4 Occurrences)

Oil-giving (2 Occurrences)

Olive-trees (11 Occurrences)

Leather (34 Occurrences)

Locusts (33 Occurrences)

Lion's (14 Occurrences)

Loincloth (4 Occurrences)

Loins (72 Occurrences)

Leathern (2 Occurrences)

Liquid (15 Occurrences)

Girdle (44 Occurrences)

Garment (143 Occurrences)

Wore (19 Occurrences)

Waist (36 Occurrences)

Insects (17 Occurrences)

Flows (14 Occurrences)

Tasting (9 Occurrences)

Desirable (49 Occurrences)

Droppings (4 Occurrences)

Drip (12 Occurrences)

Drink (414 Occurrences)

Distil (5 Occurrences)

Perizzites (23 Occurrences)

Perizzite (22 Occurrences)

Palate (15 Occurrences)

Per'izzites (21 Occurrences)

Belt (32 Occurrences)

Cream (5 Occurrences)

Camel's (3 Occurrences)

Clothed (153 Occurrences)

Cake (25 Occurrences)

Scent (6 Occurrences)

Sour (15 Occurrences)

Spouse (7 Occurrences)

Clothing (288 Occurrences)

Honeyed (1 Occurrence)

Lion (92 Occurrences)

Wheat (56 Occurrences)

Fed (62 Occurrences)

Honey: Loathed by Those Who are Full
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