Proverbs 25:16 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Proverbs 25:16

Comments

To what should we apply this proverb? It teaches that there are things which we can take too much of, which we can overindulge? But does this include all things? Certainly not, for we can never have too much love for God, too much thanksgiving for our Lord Jesus Christ, desire for the coming of his kingdom, joy in our salvation, and hope for an eternal future. These are things which we can and should desire to have in ever increasing amounts and our desire does not need to be restrained but urged forward. Rather, the proverb warns us against having too much of what is temporal, of earthly pleasures which though provided by God can become a source danger to us if taken without due care and restraint. Honey is a perfect example of this. Its perfumed sweetness excites the taste buds, and the sensation of taking it into the mouth is so pleasurable because of its incomparable natural sweetness that taster wants to repeat the experience again and again. However, who does not know from experience that this is not a sensible thing to do, because there comes a point where the pleasure of its sweetness turns into nausea at having eaten too much. This is the way God has designed our constitution so that our stomachs are only able to cope with a limited quantity of such sweetness before they rebel. But what is true of honey is true of many other things in this life, which seem to promise unlimited promise of pleasure but in fact have built into them their own limits. The danger is of course that the spiritual is eclipsed by the pleasure that comes from something that is passing away, something that so preoccupies us that we forget what is more lasting and more important. Life can take such a turn for the believer that he finds himself in a situation of unparalleled opportunity to enjoy something which is not in itself harmful or sinful, but which can become a snare if not held in check and enjoyed in a disciplined way.

Application

One person may find that they have much more time on their hands to follow their own desires. This could for instance come at retirement when the pressures of living against the clock are lifted. The temptation may be to spend more time in bed, to get up late and to overindulge in sleep. No one is going to complain that he or she does not appear at work on time, and no one else will know that we are doing. Another may inherit a large amount of money from a deceased relative. What are they going to do with it? Will they now proceed to buy many things that they have previously denied themselves, partly because it was not possible to afford those things before, and partly because they were careful in the past to live a more disciplined life? Noah in his fall into drunkenness after the flood is an example of this sad weakness in standing up to the flesh in later life. Each one of us must be constantly exercising self-control especially when new doors of opportunity suddenly open up before us which were not there before to enjoy. It could be new power and authority which we are given through a promotion. Will we let it go to our heads and carry us away with a sense of superiority? Always we must remember the limits of earthly things to satisfy the soul and hold back, looking only to God for what can give ultimate satisfaction to the soul.

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Proverbs 25:16 Commentary and Bible Study