Proverbs 27:7 Commentary and Bible Study

The next two verses are about dissatisfaction with our lot, a dissatisfaction which can drive us to foolish behaviour. The full soul loathes a honeycomb. This is surprising because honey is one of the most highly prized naturally occurring foods, and considered a rare treat when it can be obtained. Why isn’t it eagerly desired in this case? Because this person has eaten enough and any more will make them sick. They are content with what they have and desire has come to an end for the time being. But here is another person who has not eaten properly for days. This person does not have anything as pleasant as honey available to him. Instead he has to make do with what to others would be considered unpleasant bitter foods. But because of his hunger, he eagerly consumes these and appears to like them more than the honey which the sated soul pushes away from him. Are we supposed to see some fault in the first person described? There is no reason why we should. It is perfectly normal response to good food to have eaten enough and not to want anymore. Some however interpret the proverb as an illustration of failure to appreciate what we ought to appreciate, and even make it a picture of disdain for the gospel by the self-satisfied. By contrast they see the hungry soul as a picture of one with a more wholesome attitude who has learned to value the little he has. This does not work very well, as the soul that is full has already been eating the same food that he now wishes to stop eating, and the bitter thing that the hungry eat cannot easily be compared to the gospel. It is more natural to interpret the proverb as a picture of satisfaction which brings an end to desire and which illustrates the contentment of one who has all that he needs. This one is compared to someone who is ready to try out foods which would normally be considered repulsive. His discontent drives him to experiment. The next proverb more obviously teaches this lesson and the two go together.The emphasis falls on the second part of the verse. Discontent with what is good leads to experimentation with what is evil and the tastes are distorted to enjoy what formerly they were repulsed by. This is a picture of the process of corruption which comes about through sin as it makes progress throughout the life of the unbeliever. What dark corners it leads him into, and what depraved pleasures it stimulates. In God we have all that we could possibly desire.