When you have to be separated from your loved ones for an extended period of time, you begin to miss their presence. Being together is an essential part of building meaningful and deep relationships. Because of this, the Hebrew law required soldiers who marry to stay home with their new wives for a year after their wedding. “When a man takes a new wife, he shall not go out with the army nor be charged with any duty; he shall be free at home one year and shall give happiness to his wife whom he has taken” (Deuteronomy 24:5).
It is heart wrenching to see a newly wed couple to be split apart right after they were married because of job related circumstances. This makes me sick for the pour couple who so desperately needs that time together. In this absence though, there remains hope “and hope does not disappoint” (Romans 5:5).
Solomon wrote this, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life. The one who despises the word will be in debt to it, but the one who fears the commandment will be rewarded. The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, to turn aside from the snares of death. Good understanding produces favor, but the way of the treacherous is hard. Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays folly. A wicked messenger falls into adversity, but a faithful envoy brings healing. Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline, but he who regards reproof will be honored. Desire realized is sweet to the soul, but it is an abomination to fools to turn away from evil” (Proverbs 13:12-19).
This proverb is encompassed by the principle of one’s desire being fulfilled, or realized. This passage is woven with parallels on either end coming to a center at verses 16 and 17. In these middle verses the contrast is brought forth about a prudent man and a fool then a wicked messenger verses a faithful envoy. The other two middle verses, 14 and 15, show a parallel between the teaching of the wise and good understanding. How teachable are you? Do you ever seek advice or only seem to want to give advice? The second most inner verses surrounding this proverb teach adhering to the essential life necessities of loving God’s word, fearing his commands, humbly accepting discipline and reproof. Paul taught Timothy that God’s word is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…” (2 Timothy 3:16).
How does absence from God’s word affect you? How long do you go without feasting on it? If you can go from Sunday to Wednesday or even the whole week without tasting the bread of life, then you have wrongly conditioned your body and soul to feed on other things. Going without God’s word…this makes me sick. When this desire is fulfilled, I taste of the tree of life. Do not neglect diving into your Bible everyday.
Casey McDonald
Searcy, AR