How are pleasant words like a honeycomb (Proverbs 16:24)?

"Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it" (v. 22), for such character promotes the activity of life that is life indeed. But the correction of fools will not make them wise, rather it will confirm their folly, for they despise correction. Verse 23 is an interesting comment on the importance of the heart being stored with wisdom. When it is so, the heart teaches the mouth, adding learning to the lips. Then indeed, pleasant words will be the result, words like a honeycomb, stored with sweetness (v. 24). Others will recognize this as sweetness to their souls, tending to health in their bones, the framework of the body. Of course, this implies that the words are pleasant because of their spiritual value.

Such are indeed "pleasant words," and they are as a honeycomb, sweet inwardly, and strengthening outwardly.

Idle chatter leads to gossip, and gossip leads to scandal. Oh, be careful and bridle your tongue! Check the outflow. If it is the product of the new nature in you, then let it flow spontaneously (James 1:26). Words from the lips of some are as a sword to hurt (Prov. 12:18); from the lips of others they are as a honeycomb to give joy and health (Prov. 16:24).

How different today! In the Gospel of John, the words of the Lord Jesus are to us as a “honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” In their fragrance, they are as “ointment poured forth.” They do not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax. They woo the feeblest, and they win the strongest, a bluff Simon as well as a timid Nathanael.

The honeycomb must first be filled by patient industry before it drops. The honey must be gathered from every flower. Such should be the habit of the Christian; learning something from almost everything. But, alas, we too much resemble the butterfly, and too little the bee. The former may be seen hovering over the flower for a little, then flying off without tasting its sweetness, while the latter fastens down upon it, and sucks the nectar out of it. Thus her storehouse is filled by little and little. The word must be carefully studied, and the heart well stored, before the word suited for the occasion lies ready under our tongue. As the fruit of the Spirit, the Lord is refreshed and delighted in finding it so. "Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb; honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon." The dropping of the honeycomb may suggest the idea of a thoughtful selection, in contrast with "the multitude of words" spoken of in Proverbs. Words are like seeds, they germinate, and bear fruit; whether they be sharp and bitter, or good and wholesome words. How important then, to sow good seed! If we sow tares we cannot reap wheat; and if we sow wheat we shall never need to reap tares. "For whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap." Oh! to be ever dropping the words of kindness, gentleness, meekness, truth, faith, hope, and charity. What is purer than milk? What is sweeter than honey? What more nourishing than the one? What more healing than the other? The blessed Lord owns us in the Spirit, and not in the flesh, and here speaks of the precious fruits of the Spirit which are so delightful to Him. Into His own lips "grace is poured," and all His garments smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces." And he finds, to His supreme delight, in His beloved spouse, the perfect answer to Himself. "Grace for grace" grace answering to grace, which is sweeter far to His heart, than all the productions of nature. When the hills and valleys of Canaan, so redolent with "all spices," and flowing with "milk and honey," shall have passed away, the loved one before Him shall abide in His presence, with increasing freshness and fragrance for ever and ever.

The honeycomb must first be filled by patient industry before it drops. The honey must be gathered from every flower. Such should be the habit of the Christian; learning something from almost everything. But, alas, we too much resemble the butterfly, and too little the bee. The former may be seen hovering over the flower for a little, then flying off without tasting its sweetness, while the latter fastens down upon it, and sucks the nectar out of it. Thus her storehouse is filled by little and little. The word must be carefully studied, and the heart well stored, before the word suited for the occasion lies ready under our tongue. As the fruit of the Spirit, the Lord is refreshed and delighted in finding it so. "Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb; honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon." The dropping of the honeycomb may suggest the idea of a thoughtful selection, in contrast with "the multitude of words" spoken of in Proverbs. Words are like seeds, they germinate, and bear fruit; whether they be sharp and bitter, or good and wholesome words. How important then, to sow good seed! If we sow tares we cannot reap wheat; and if we sow wheat we shall never need to reap tares. "For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Oh! to be ever dropping the words of kindness, gentleness, meekness, truth, faith, hope, and charity. What is purer than milk? What is sweeter than honey? What more nourishing than the one? What more healing than the other? The blessed Lord owns us in the Spirit, and not in the flesh, and here speaks of the precious fruits of the Spirit which are so delightful to Him. Into His own lips "grace is poured," and all His garments smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces." And he finds, to His supreme delight, in His beloved spouse, the perfect answer to Himself. "Grace for grace" grace answering to grace, which is sweeter far to His heart, than all the productions of nature. When the hills and valleys of Canaan, so redolent with "all spices," and flowing with "milk and honey," shall have passed away, the loved one before Him shall abide in His presence, with increasing freshness and fragrance for ever and ever.

The wise in heart is called intelligent; and so he is, and inspires confidence. It differs much from what men call a long head, feared rather than trusted. And the sweetness of lips which accompanies that wisdom increases learning all round.

These words, if kept within, give satisfaction and pleasure; whereas all else palls and becomes distasteful, if not a shame. Nor is this all. They contribute to our own growth and the help of others by the help they render and the confidence they inspire. Thus do they become "together fitted to thy lips."

On the other hand, the tongue can be used for blessing. When our speech is gracious and kind, we can do much good to all those with whom we come in contact. Of the virtuous woman it is said, "In her tongue is the law of kindness" (Proverbs 31:26). If this could be said of us, how happy we should be! How happy too we could make others, by gracious and kind words.

Proverbs 31:26 (Pe). "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness." Foolish talking and jesting were unknown to her, nor was she engaged in idle gossip or unprofitable conversation; but grace to others was ministered in her words of wisdom. There was nothing hard or stern about her, for kindness flowed from her tongue to all around.