Sweeter Than Honey

Posted on January 10, 2026 by Bryan Hodge

“I have treasured the word of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12).

“More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:10).

“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4 cf. Deuteronomy 8:3).

Treasure

Food is necessary to sustain life. Survivalists speak of “the rule of threes.” Man can survive about three minutes without oxygen, three days without water, and three weeks without food. Each situation and each person is different. Some have survived well beyond these threes. However, food is necessary to sustain life.

In a typical day, most of us do not go all day without food. In fact, we generally eat multiple times a day.

How much do we treasure God’s word? How often do we feed on it? This year, let us treasure it more than our necessary food.

Desire

We desire certain foods. Many desire honey. Honey provides energy. Jonathan’s “countenance brightened” after eating honey (1 Samuel 14:26-30). John the baptizer ate honey (Matthew 3:4). Honey is sweet. “The exact makeup of each honey varies somewhat, but honey is generally composed of 80% sugar (fructose and glucose)” (Honey Versus Sugar – Which is Healthier? University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, usaex.usada.edu). It is considered sweeter to the taste than table sugar. “Honey is naturally sweeter than sugar, meaning less is needed to achieve the desired level of sweetness. For example, in baking, replacing one cup of sugar with three-quarters of a cup of honey can reduce sugar content while maintaining flavor” (Honey vs. Sugar: Why Honey is the Superior Sweetener, glorybee.com). I enjoy a little honey on a peanut butter sandwich.

How much do we desire God’s word? Is it sweet to us? This year, let us have a “sweet-tooth” for the word.

Live by

God taught Israel that man does not live by bread alone (Deuteronomy 8:3). He taught them humility. He taught them to depended on Him.

Jesus understood proper priorities. Obedience to God was more important than physical food (Matthew 4:4).

By what do we live? This year, let us prioritize God’s word and live by it.

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Love Those Lentils!

Posted on January 3, 2026 by Bryan Hodge

“Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary. And Esau said to Jacob, ‘Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.’ Therefore his name was called Edom. But Jacob said, ‘Sell me your birthright as of this day.’ And Esau said, ‘Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?’ Then Jacob said, ‘Swear to me as of this day.’ So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.” (Genesis 25:29-34).

This must have been some really good stew! I say this in jest. However, to Esau this stew was worth, at the moment, his birthright.

What was this birthright? Certain privileges and responsibilities came with being the firstborn. Later, under the Law of Moses, the birthright came with a double portion of inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:15-17) [Note: Some have suggested that this double-portion was to set one up as the head of the family with the responsibility to care for the rest of the family. However, these specifics are not mentioned in Scripture].

Esau, no doubt, exaggerated when he said, “Look, I am about to die…” (Genesis 25:32). However, he was ready to trade. He was so focused on his immediate desire that he was willing to trade his future.

Many are like Esau. They are willing to trade the heavenly inheritance for their immediate desires. I may be for money, possessions, power, position, fame, a man or a woman, pleasure or some other desire.

The Bible warns us. “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears” (Hebrews 12:14-17). Esau came to regret his choice. So will we, if we sell our birthright. It is not worth the price (Mark 8:36-37).

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Sowing and Reaping

Posted on December 27, 2025 by Bryan Hodge

It is a well-known fact that what one sows is related to what one reaps. The cause (the seed sowed) produces the effect (the harvest). If you sow corn seed, then you may reap corn. If you sow wheat seed, then you may reap wheat. If you sow tares, then you may get tares. There are things that could happen that interfere with a successful harvest. However, generally speaking, one gets what he sows.

Let’s consider three passages. All three concern this principle of sowing and reaping.

1. “They sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind” (Hosea 8:7).

    Israel would reap the consequences of what they had sown. “Foolish Israel had sown ‘the wind,’ i.e. that which is without substance; in return they would reap a ‘whirlwind’- a storm suggesting the destruction that would come on them and sweep them away into Assyria” (Wayne Jackson, The Prophets, p. 378). They had been warned that idolatry would have consequences (Deuteronomy 4:25-28; 30:17-18).

    2. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (Galatians 6:7-8).

    This is speaking of what controls a person. There are two ways to live. (1) One may live a life which is ruled by fleshly passions and desires (cf. Galatians 5:19-21, 24). (2) One may live a life which is led by the Spirit (cf. Galatians 5:16, 18, 22-26).

    One should not deceive himself. These lifestyles lead to two different hereafters. Living according to the flesh reaps corruption. Living according to the Spirit reaps everlasting life.

    3. “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6).

    This passage is informative about bringing people to Christ, growing and maturing Christians, and how to grow the church. There must be planting (sowing the seed) and watering (nurturing care, continued teaching) for growth to occur. God deserves the credit for this growth. He made it possible. He put the power in the seed. David Hamrick has written, “Understand that there must be planting and watering before God gives the increase. So, we recognize that it is God who brings new life to a church. We are only privileged to play a part, but it is an important part” (David W. Hamrick, Waking the Sleeping Giant, p. 38). He provides these statistics, “Statistics show that 50% of Bible studies completed result in conversions. By studies completed, I mean those who willingly study the Bible with you through the entire course, whether it be three lessons or five or six. Therefore, if you conduct 20 complete Bible studies per year you should have 10 additions to the church. What would happen if you trained five members to conduct 10 Bible studies per year. The result would be 25 new converts each year. If there were 20 members who conducted 10 studies in a year, the result would be 100 new converts that year” (ibid, p. 121). However, Harold Taylor quotes Flavil Yeakley Jr. as saying, “The last time I surveyed the number (or percent) of members involved in personal evangelism, I found that only one percent of our members were actively involved in personal evangelism in that year – and most of them were on the church payroll… so we are averaging one lasting adult convert per year for every 160 members.” (ibid). Brethren, this should not be. The early church was very evangelistic (Acts 8:4). If we want the church to grow, we must be as well. This is the Biblical plan. There is no substitute. There is no other way! [Note, I once suggested in a church business meeting that the members practice personal evangelism, if they wanted the church to grow. A man replied, “Find another way” (in other words, we won’t do it). Brethren, there is no other way, biblically!]

    What will you and I sow in this coming year? (1) Will you sow to the flesh or to the spirit? (2) Will we sow the seed in the hearts of others and water the seed that has been sown? Or will the seed remain in the barn (cf. Haggai 2:19)?

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    Look at the Fields

    Posted on December 14, 2025 by Bryan Hodge

    “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for the harvest!” (John 4:35).

    The Context

    Jesus had spoken with a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, near Sychar. She left her waterpot and went into the city and said, “Come, see a man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” (John 4:29). This caused many of the city to come to Jesus and hear for themselves (John 4:30, 39-42).

    The reference to four months until the harvest seems to be a time reference. The grain harvest occurred in about the month of April. This was probably December or January. The fields of grain were not yet ready for harvest.

    However, there was a spiritual harvest that was ready. “The fields were then ‘white already unto the harvest,’ ready now to be reaped. At that very moment, throngs of people from Sychar were streaming out to see Jesus as the result of the testimony of the Samaritan woman.” (Guy N. Woods, A Commentary on John, p. 87 The Gospel Advocate Commentary Series). One commentator speculated on the reference to white, “Multitudes of Samaritans are coming… probably they had a kind of white garment” (Adam Clake, Clarke’s Commentary, John, p. 543). It is possible that some were wearing white garments. However, this is not necessary to the meaning. The meaning is that there was at that time an opportunity to harvest souls. The white may simply refer to the white appearance of heads of grain when ready for harvest.

    I wonder if this work among the Samaritans had a lasting effect. Later, the Gospel would be proclaimed in Samaria (Acts 8).

    Application

    God’s people should lift up their eyes. They should look upon others and their needs. They should look for opportunities to sow seed. They should look for opportunities to harvest souls for the Lord.

    Some, I am afraid, never look upon others this way. Consider – (1) Some are so wrapped up in their own lives that they miss opportunities. They never even see the opportunities before them. The disciples were thinking about food, not souls (John 4:31-ff). (2) Some are hindered by prejudices. The Jews ordinarily had no dealings with the Samaritans (John 4:9). Moreover, men ordinarily did not talk with women (John 4:27).

    Are we looking for opportunities? Are we looking on souls as Jesus did? Each person we meet has a soul worth saving. Think about all the people we meet each day (the server at the restaurant; the checker at the grocery store; the teller at the bank; the person who cuts the grass; the person who cuts your hair; the people with whom you work; the classmate or roommate). Are we lifting up our eyes? Are we missing opportunities?

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    It Does Not Fade!

    Posted on November 29, 2025 by Bryan Hodge

    “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy had begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4).

    God is worthy of praise. The word “blessed” (eulogetos) is an adjective which means “blessed, praised” (Vine’s). It is applied only to God in the New Testament (ibid).

    Why is God worthy of praise? (1) He has given us hope by raising Jesus from the dead (1 Peter 1:3, 13, 21; 3:15). The Christian lives in hope of eternal life (Titus 1:2). (2) He has given us an inheritance in heaven (1 Peter 1:4-5).

    Let us notice how this inheritance is described. (1) It is incorruptible (aphtharton). (a) On earth athletes once competed in Greece for a perishable (phtharton) crown. Christians seek an imperishable (aphtharton) crown (1 Corinthians 9:25). (b) On earth, moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal. This is not the situation in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20). (c) On earth, our bodies are corruptible (phtharton). However, we are told of incorruption (aphtharsian) to come (1 Corinthians 15:50-53).

    (2) It is undefiled (amianton). Nothing is going to soil, stain, defile, spoil or deform what awaits. “The earthly Canaan was not able to escape this defilement (Leviticus 18:27-28), but into the heavenly Canaan nothing shall ever enter to defile or make unclean (Revelation 21:27)” (Gospel Advocate Commentary Series, Guy N. Woods, A Commentary on Peter, p. 26).

    (3) It does not fade away (amaranton). The image seems to be of a flower which perpetually blooms and never loses its beauty. “The amaranth was a fabled flower whose bloom was perpetual and whose loveliness never failed. The inheritance which awaits the children of God will not deteriorate, nor will passing ages render it less desirable or attractive” (Woods, p. 27). Earthly flowers are beautiful; but they fade. What awaits in heaven lasts and will not lose its beauty.

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    The Grass Withers and The Flower Fades

    Posted on November 22, 2025 by Bryan Hodge

    “As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children…” (Psalm 103:15-17).

    “All flesh is grass and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, because the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:6-8 cf. 1 Peter 1:24-25).

    “The rich… as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat that it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man will fade away in his pursuits.” (James 1:10-11).

    These passages are closely related. Let us consider…

    Man’s Life

    Man’s life on earth is brief. It is compared to grass and flowers. Guy N. Woods suggests that, “The ‘grass’ of the passage (choroton) is from a comprehensive term for vegetation; and ‘the flower of the grass’ (anthos) does not refer to the bloom but to wildflowers which often grow up in the midst of the grass” (Gospel Advocate, A Commentary on James by Guy N. Woods, p. 50). Green vegetation and seasonal wildflowers do not last long in hot dry climates. Consider the roadsides of Texas. Green grass, bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush may appear in the spring but fade away in the summer heat. Life is brief. Each man has his season on earth. Twice in the book of James we are reminded of the brevity of life (James 1:10-11; 4:13-14). Even a rich man’s life will not last on earth (James 1:10-11).

    Furthermore, God can also bring a man’s life to a close, if He chooses. “The grass withers, the flower fades, because the breath of the LORD blows upon it” (Isaiah 40:7). Man is weak before God.

    God’s Mercy

    “But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them” (Psalm 103:17-18). These words teach: (1) God is enduring. He does not come to an end a man’s earthly life does. (2) It matters how one lives. This is true in every generation. He has “mercy” (NKJV), “loving kindness” (NASB), or “steadfast love” (ESV) on those who fear and obey Him. The Hebrew word “chesed” is difficult to translate. It carries the idea of “loyal love” or “the benefits of being in a covenant relationship.”

    God’s Word

    “But the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8). Men come and go. However, God’s word endures. Homer Hailey commented, “What a glorious claim and assurance!… What a sustaining assurance it is to know that there is something permanent, something enduring! The character of God, the word of God, and the promises of God shall never fail but shall endure eternally” (Hailey, A Commentary on Isaiah, p. 333).

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    By Their Fruits

    Posted on November 15, 2025 by Bryan Hodge

    “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do me gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them.” (Matthew 7:15-20).

    A false teacher may disguise himself. He may look harmless (cf. Matthew 23:25-28; 2 Corinthians 11:14). He may, to the undiscerning, look like and sound like one who is a sheep (a follower of the Shepherd).

    How can one identify a false teacher? Jesus says that one may know “by their fruits.” As one can know whether a plant is a grapevine or thornbush by what is produced; and as one can know whether a plant is a fig tree or thistle by what is produced; even so, one can know the kind of teacher one is by observing the fruits produced. (Note, in the text “good” and “bad” does not mean varying qualities of the same type of fruit. This is speaking of different types of fruit, for example – grapes and thornbushes, figs and thistles.)

    What does Jesus mean “by their fruits”? The following options have been suggested. (1) Some believe that this refers to the personal conduct of their lives. Fruit may refer to conduct (e.g. Matthew 3:8). (2) Some believe that this refers to their teaching. Fruit may refer to words (e.g. Matthew 12:33-37). (3) Some have suggested that this refers to the effect of their teaching (e.g. Matthew 23:15). (4) Some have suggested that the meaning is found in a combination of these options.

    While there may be some value in observing all of these, it seems to me that option two best fits the context. Consider this comment by Thomas B. Warren, “In the view of this author, in the light of the fact that Jesus had just warned against false prophets (7:15), Jesus meant that false teachers can be identified by the doctrines which they teach. Many false teachers live good moral lives. They seem to be pious, to love God, to love their families, to love their neighbors, etc. Yet they teach false doctrine. It is because some false teachers have so many attributes which might well be praised that they can so easily deceive so many people” (Thomas Warren, Matthew 7, The Spiritual Sword Lectureship: The Book of Matthew, p. 269, editors Garland Elkins and Thomas B. Warren). If this is the meaning, then this would be a reminder of what had been taught in the Law and the Prophets (Deuteronomy 13:1-5; 18:20-22; Isaiah 8:20). Notice the test: (1) Does he teach another god? (2) Does he teach something which contradicts God’s word? (Note, it does not matter if he has provided some kind of sign or not. If it contradicts God’s word, then it is to be rejected). (3) Does he give prophecy which does not come to pass? (Note, even one false prophecy discredits the person as a prophet of God). These were ways that God told Israel that they could test a prophet.

    We are to be discerning (1 John 4:1; Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21). We are to inspect the fruit.

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    Aaron’s Rod Blossoms

    Posted on November 8, 2025 by Bryan Hodge

    “Now it came to pass… that the rod of Aaron, of the house of Levi, had sprouted and put forth buds, had produced blossoms and yielded ripe almonds” (Numbers 17:8).

    Aaron was high priest in Israel. The LORD had selected him and his sons for the priesthood (Exodus 28-29; 40:12-16).

    However, some had questioned the authority of Moses and Aaron (Numbers 16:1-3). The leaders in this were Korah (of the tribe of Levi), and Dathan, Abiram, and On (as the tribe of Reuben).

    Evidence of Moses’ authority to lead Israel is provided in Numbers 16. Moses said, “By this you shall know that the LORD has sent me to do all of these works, for I have not done them of my own will. If these men die naturally like all men, or if they are visited by the common fate of all men, then the LORD has not sent me. But if the LORD creates a new thing, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the pit, then you will understand that these men have rejected the LORD” (Numbers 16:28-30). The earth opened and swallowed the leaders of this rebellion (Numbers 16:31-34).

    Evidence of Aaron’s priesthood is provided in Numbers 16-17. (1) Negatively: Fire from the LORD consumed two hundred and fifty who decided that they could serve as priest and offer incense before the LORD (Numbers 16:35). (2) Positivity: Aaron’s rod blossomed (Numbers 17:8). Twelve rods were gathered, one from each tribe. A name was written on each rod. Aaron’s name was written on the rod of Levi. The LORD said to Moses, “The rod of the man I choose will blossom (Numbers 17:5). Aaron’s rod returned to life.

    Application For Us

    First, Jesus is our High Priest. Proof? He was begotten from the dead. “And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also, Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You.’ As He also says in another place ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek'” (Hebrews 5:4-6). Verse 5 is a quotation of Psalm 2:7. It refers to the coronation. He was begotten from the dead (cf. Acts 13:33; Romans 1:4). Verse 6 is a quotation of Psalm 110:4. Like Melchizedek, Jesus is both a king and a priest. Like Melchizedek, Jesus is a priest – though not from the tribe of Levi. Once more, Proof: (a) The resurrection is proof that Jesus has authority from God. (b) The scriptures foretold of one who would be both king and priest.

          Second, God is powerful. He can do all things that are amazing. He can make a rod of wood live again. He can resurrect a crucified Jesus. Furthermore, He can raise us (1 Corinthians 15; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Romans 8:11).

            Third, to reject Jesus is to reject God. Moses said that those who had rebelled against him and Aaron “have rejected the LORD” (Numbers 16:30). Likewise, to reject Jesus is to reject God (Matthew 10:40; Luke 10:16; John 13:20; 1 John 2:22-23).

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              Uprooted Plant

              Posted on November 1, 2025 by Bryan Hodge

              “Then His disciples came and said to Him, ‘Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?’ But He answered and said, ‘Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.‘” (Matthew 15:12-14).

              This concerns the Pharisees. They were “teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9). They prioritized their traditions above God’s word (Matthew 15:3-6).

              This also concerns Jesus’ disciples. They had approached him out of concern that the Pharisees were offended that he had spoken against their traditions. Some people have an aversion against offending others for any reason.

              This is a common problem. One writer comments, “Many preachers are so fearful of offending a sinner that the sinner leaves neither knowing what he should do nor that he needs to do anything to be reconciled to God. This inoffensiveness has become such an obsession with many that they have surrendered the distinctiveness of the truth in favor of it” (Dub McClish, Matthew 15, The Spiritual Sword Lectureship: The Book of Matthew, p. 423, editors Garland Elkins and Thomas Warren).

              Jesus responded to his disciples’ concern. (1) An illustration from agriculture. The field belongs to God. The Pharisees’ seed (doctrine) is not the word of God (cf. Luke 8:11). Their seed produces a plant that will be, one day, uprooted. It will not survive judgment. (2) “Let them alone.” We are not going to run after them and apologize. (3) An illustration from the road. Understand how dangerous their leadership is. They are spiritually blind; so also, are those who follow their leadership. Their leadership will lead them and others off the proper road and into the ditch.

              Applications for Us

              1. It matters whose teaching we follow. We must make certain that we are following God’s word, and not the doctrines of men.
              2. While we do not want to be unnecessarily offensive, we should not compromise truth to appease man.
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              God Clothes the Field

              Posted on October 25, 2025 by Bryan Hodge

              “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field which today is, and tomorrow is thrown in the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:28-30).

              It is easy for us to get stressed in this life. We can become so concerned about the here and now that we fail to consider the bigger picture.

              Sometimes we need to slow down. Go for a walk. Consider God’s creation. He is the One who makes the grass to grow and the flowers of the field to flourish. He has done this year after year (Genesis 8:22). He give us “rain from heaven and fruitful seasons” (Acts 14:17).

              Why has He done this? He has done this for you and me (Genesis 1:26-29; Psalm 8:6-8; Isaiah 45:18). Jesus speaks of the grass being thrown into the oven (Matthew 6:30). Grass and other vegetation may be used for fire (see also, Isaiah 44:14-15; John 21:9; Acts 28:2-3). God cares for us.

              We should not forsake Him out of concern for earthly needs. We need to trust Him. We need to serve Him. “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

              Posted in Creation, Faith, Nature, plants, Priorities, worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment