Questions from Our Readers

What does “honey on the rod” mean?

Honey on the rod” is an expression often heard in public prayer and preaching. Is it biblical? Strictly speaking, yes, but the scriptural reference I am about to share does not reflect or explain the meaning of this expression. In 1 Samuel 14:27 we read that Jonathan “put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.” It was upon this action that Saul wanted to go as far as to kill his own son because of a foolish oath! Saul had sworn that any man would be cursed who would eat any food until after the battle. However, after intervention of the people this terrible threat was averted (1 Samuel 14:45). Now, to refer the expression in question to these texts would clearly be an example of taking a text out of context. “

Hence, it is obvious that the expression “honey on the rod” must mean something different. When Jonathan used a rod, it was only a means to bring the honey to his mouth, but the rod in Scripture often refers (though not always) to a means of divine chastisement. “Hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it” (Micah 6:9b). Think also of Psalm 89:32 “Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.” In Hebrews 12:6 we read: “For whom the LORD loveth, He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.”

The following is an excerpt from a sermon of Rev. Ledeboer, which explains what “honey at the end of the rod” means. “Thy rod is lifted up, but Thou doth change the judicial (rod–HH) into a fatherly, trying, chastising, blessed, almond-bearing, honey producing rod for Thy people, O most precious King, compassionate and merciful Highpriest, who bore the judicial part for Thy people, in order to grant that fatherly part to them.”

It means that the Lord can use afflictions and trials in the life of His children in such a fashion that it becomes a blessing or that the affliction is sanctified. Just like the poet of Psalm 119:71 expressed it: “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes.” I once read of a man who was severely and deeply tried both physically and spiritually. He was paralyzed from his head down for many years. Then in God’s incomprehensible wisdom and providence he had a heart attack in addition. We need not try to imagine what a trial this was for both his body and his poor soul. It was also related what he had said to his wife shortly before this heart attack happened. He had said that there are three ways one may react to the rod with which the Lord chastises someone. “You can try to bite that rod; you can seek to acquiesce and say: it is not sent by people, but then there are also people who kiss the rod.” Thinking about the paralyzed condition from which he suffered, he said: ‘I don’t bite the rod, but to kiss the rod I cannot do either—I only seek to bow under it. This changed when he came home from the hospital after his heart attack. He told his wife, “Now I learned to kiss the rod!”

Dear reader, then the rod of affliction affords a special blessing. Then the affliction is blessed and brings that peaceable fruit of righteousness to them that are exercised thereby. A rod and the use of it hurts, but honey is soothing, sweet, and has healing properties. It is clear that such an exercise requires sovereign grace. How good is the Lord when that is given.

Given, yes, indeed! I will never forget what I once experienced in a hospital in the Netherlands. I was visiting a member of the congregation, laid up in a room with five other patients. Obviously, there was little privacy for anyone to visit. At the end of the visit, it was customary to close with prayer for all those in the same hospital ward, which I tried to do. In my prayer I mentioned toward the end that none of the blessings we implored of the Lord we deserved. No sooner after I said amen, an angry woman across from the bed where I sat burst out and snarled at me, “What do you mean, don’t deserve? Are you saying that I deserve to lie here?” My friends, here you have an example of the opposite of “honey on the rod.” May the Lord remember all those who bear a cross and are afflicted—also among our readers—and grant a taste of the Lord’s honey in all that is hurting and painful, both physically and spiritually. Only Christ’s yoke is easy and only His burden is light.

Send your questions to Rev. H. Hofman, 2339 Deer Trail Dr. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505, or hofman@premieronline.net.

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