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Hands Full of Honey
Most folks are at
least vaguely familiar with the story of Samson in the Bible. He was a
judge in Israel for twenty years but he is remembered mainly for his
extraordinary strength and
feats of great physical power. He was a child of promise to a childless
couple, Manoah and his wife . An angel appeared to them with the promise
of a son and special instructions on his rearing and upbringing. He was
to be raised strictly as a Nazarite . . . the most outstanding
requirements
being that he would touch no wine nor cut his hair. But Samson had a
secret that only he and his parents knew. God had endowed him with great
strength that would be his as long as he never cut his hair. If he
should do so, his super strength would vanish and he would be as other
men. He was to guard this secret carefully and use his strength for God
against the enemies of Israel. The result was that Samson grew into
adulthood with amazing, extraordinary superhuman
strength. Some stories of his astounding strength are found in the book
of Judges . Sadly, his moral character and judgment of women did not
keep pace with his strength and led eventually to his defeat by his
enemies. The full story of Samson is found in the book of Judges and
should be read for all the interesting facts about this Biblical
character.
However, the point in my thoughts is not of his strength or betrayal or
final revenge, or even of the man himself. I want to lead you to
consider just one incident in his life that might at first reading pass
without second thought. In the Fourteenth Chapter of Judges, we read
that on a journey to Timnath, he was attacked by a lion and having no
weapon with him, he slew the lion with his bare hands. Later, on a
return journey along the same route, he saw the carcass of the lion and
a beehive that a swarm of bees had built in the cavity of the dead lion.
Being hungry, he reached into the hive with his strong hands and took a
large piece of the honeycomb and ate the honey as he went along his way
to meet his parents. When he met them he gave them some of
the honey and comb and they all ate of the sweet delicacy.
This is an unusual story but let's look beyond the bare facts of the
experience to some deeper. . . . and may I say, sweeter . . . symbolism
and illustration. First, there is no mention that Samson had any kind of
vessel or container with him, and he certainly had no reason to plan
ahead for his robbery of the beehive. He had primarily just turned aside
from curiosity to see the carcass of the lion he had slain sometime
earlier. Now if you will, let's imagine we are there and see Samson . .
. I view him in my mind as a massive, muscular man with perhaps the
traits of an outdoors man, not too particular about genteel manners when
on a walking journey. I see him, most likely, dusty , hot and sweaty
from exertion. He stands looking down at the swarming hive and his
mouth begins to water as he anticipates the delicious honey inside the
guarded hive. He looks around for something to put the honeycomb in but
seeing nothing, he shrugs with a laugh and plunges his big - and not
very clean - hands into the hive, ignoring the angry buzzing colony. He
tears out a huge dripping, golden chunk . . . knocks off a few bees . .
. and continues on his
way . . . eating as he walks along. You must admit, this is a somewhat
comical picture . . . this huge man walking along, a big piece of
honeycomb in his two bare hands, honey dripping from his fingers, on his
mouth and chin, into his beard and wild hair, onto his clothes . . .
even drops falling onto the road. There is a contented, happy, childlike
look of satisfaction as he bites into the rich golden, sun-warmed stuff
. . . licking his lips, tasting the indescribable sweetness of the prize
he had just taken. He sees his parents waiting for him and having no
other
way to share his delightful find, he holds out his sticky hands and
offers the honey and comb to his astonished parents, who nevertheless
reach out to take a piece into their own hands. They,
too, begin to partake of the unexpected treat. (I do hope Mrs.Manaoah
had a dish of some sort she could place the rest of the honeycomb in,
and a place to wash up!)
When I
first began thinking along these lines I became curious about honey. SO
. . . I went online and checked it out. I was amazed at the abundance of
interesting information I found there about this delectable substance.
It is one of the oldest food substances ever known to man. Adam and Eve
probably discovered it's tasty delights in the beautiful Garden God had
planted and placed them in. Maybe they became the first beekeepers and
passed their knowledge on to their offspring. Honey is mentioned often
in the Bible and has become a symbol of purity
and humility. Today honey and honeycomb is known and used not only for
it's wonderful taste but in a multitude of unexpected products. After my
brief research I was much impressed with Samson's hand-delivered gift of
love to his parents..
And now, my train of thought takes another turn: Samson delivered this
delicious gift of love in person, joyfully sharing his own pleasure
while the experience was new and fresh. Just as
he was, not waiting to bathe and change into his best clothes, nor for a
more convenient time, and in the best container immediately available. .
. in this case . . . his own two hands. There is a sense of happy
urgency to share something special and good with his loved ones.
Ah!. . . perhaps God has a lesson there for me and for you. What is the luscious, succulent honeycomb we possess that someone else would desire? “WHO ME? WHAT??” you might ask. If you happen to own a real working beehive, you could share the exact gift with someone like Samson did, yet this is not a common commodity. But there are other things we all can share . . . some things tangible and touchable that would enrich and brighten another. Perhaps helping someone with material needs like clothing or food . . . the things necessary to basic life. Sometimes a genuine offer of assistance in a trying, difficult time or circumstance. Sometimes “know-how” knowledge we can share with others wanting to learn, to improve and better themselves. Sometimes a talent God has blessed us with that would bless another in our sharing. Sometimes the gift we have to share is a simple, kindly word of encouragement to one who is defeated or discouraged. Sometimes a listening ear and heart. Sometimes a hug to one who is feeling all alone and unloved or fearful. Sometimes the soothing, calming gift of music or song to comfort and heal broken hearts and weary minds. A small handpicked bouquet of flowers . . . something from your oven, still warm and fragrant . . . a timely phone call to cheer a shut-in. It can be anything as long as it is from you “with love”.
We all have our own "honey in the honeycomb" that God has endowed and
blessed us with. These gifts from our Heavenly Father were not meant to
be kept selfishly for ourselves, but to share.
People are hurting
NOW, hearts are breaking NOW, minds are trembling with fear NOW, someone
is crying NOW. Shall we wait till we take a course in just 'being there"
when someone needs us? Shall we wait for a more convenient time to knock
on their door and say "I am
here. Can I help?” Shall we wait till we have a nicer outfit to wear?
After all, the gift itself is not the most important thing . . . it's
the motive that propels and presents it in hands of concern and caring
.The only truly acceptable motive is love . Love others as we are loved
by a Loving Savior.
Years ago, I heard
my husband preach a message on this Scripture (the only time in all
these years that I have ever heard a message from this text). His
message was a call to soul-winning.. A call to take the gift of
salvation to a lost and dying world and to do it now with whatever we
have in way of ability or talent or possession. Not waiting for a better
time or place but to do it now with what we have. To take the message
that Jesus loves the sinner and has died and risen again for his/her
redemption . . . to deliver the "gift" in your own manner, "in your own
two hands” . . . and to leave the result to God.
During WWII
there was a popular song entitled THE TIME IS NOW, urging every
American to give his all to bring an end to the conflict and to help
restore peace. Perhaps that is the message for us today. As we stand
beside Samson, let us also follow his example and reach and take
hugely of the sweet flowing honeycomb of eternal life with peace and
comfort, love and joy and take it in our own two . . .(even slightly
soiled, not- so-perfect) . . . hands, and share gladly with others that
with which the Lord has blessed us.
Let's not wait for a better time, a better container, a better place . .
. .
THE TIME IS NOW.
@ruthrmartin 7/31/2007
