Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 25:25
[As] cold waters to a thirsty soul, so [is] good news from a far country.
25. As cold waters, &c.] Comp.
“quale per stum
Dulcis aqu saliente sitim restinguere rivo.”
Virg. Ecl. 25:46, 47.
good news, &c.] Comp. Pro 15:30, and for illustration, “The heart of Jacob their father revived,” when he heard the good news from a far country, “Joseph is yet alive.” Gen 45:25; Gen 45:27. This proverb again admits of the highest reference.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The craving of wanderers for news from the home that they have left is as a consuming thirst, the news that quenches it as a refreshing fountain.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Pro 25:25
As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
Good news from a far country
We live in a little world. It is simply that we are a part of it that it seems to us so great. By the multiplying of our interests in these days of change and travel, there is many a far country from which good news comes to us as cold waters to a thirsty soul. Think of that far country, heaven, and the souls yearning for good news thence. Every righteous thought, every pure, simple, generous purpose, every lowly resolve, every warning, of conscience within condemning wrong, every conception that seems to be wooing to holiness and sincerity, is a message from that far country. Well is it when they come to thirsting souls. There are many difficulties about a revelation from God. If we should be compelled to let miracles go, how simple is righteousness, how plain is love, how clear is purity! Who shall say that there are no messages from the far country? There may be uncertainties about many things, but there cannot be uncertainties here. It must be right that I love right, that I do right. God cares for His child–cares that its life shall be right and true and holy; that its sins shall be blotted out. All revelation is not in the Bible. It is rather a record of a revelation. Such records, too, are elsewhere. I lift my eyes to the nightly heaven, and the record is there. I look upon the new-born spring, and the record is there. I look into the heart of a little child, and the record is there What is the sum of all revelations; what is the revelation? Just Christ, the dear Saviour–His compassions, His infinite redemption, the great message; He Himself the living Message-bearer from the far country. All other good news is gathered about this. We cannot separate redeeming love from any other gift of our Fathers care. Common news from a far country will often, in this world of change, cheer you and me. We live in a world of separations and farewells. Our paths, with most of us, are together only for a little while. Countries far apart separate the members of the one family of God. But nowhere can they be where God is not. And members of the one family shall cheer each others heart with news from a far country. The news shall tell how God is leading all by different paths, the right way for each, to the one city of habitation. (T. Gasquoine, B.A.)
Tidings from a far country
Our interest in tidings from a far country may be based on many considerations.
1. We may be interested in the novelty and the strangeness of the information which reaches us about a foreign country, and the more so if any of our friends have been engaged in the exploration–e.g., Columbus returning from America, or Captain Cook from the South Seas.
2. If we have received any great possessions from that country: as Solomon hearing about India and China, when his merchants returned with gold, etc., from that country.
3. If any great stranger or dear friend has come from it–e.g., Solomon, hearing about Sheba or Egypt; or the English about Sardinia, when the king came over.
4. If any of our friends are there now–e.g., as news from Australia, America, or any other country, where we have friends. If it be good news, how it revives and cheers us! Perhaps our friends are doing business for us successfully. (The Congregational Pulpit.)
Good news from a far country
The traveller on a hot summers day, parehed with thirst, can easily understand the allusion, cold waters to a thirsty soul. They are cooling, refreshing, and invigorating, and enable him to pursue his journey with strength renewed. Not unfrequently they have been the means of saving life–e.g., Hagar in the wilderness (Gen 21:14-20); Samson after slaying the Philistines (Jdg 15:18-19). But the comparison is with good news. Who does not love to hear good news? How exhilarating the news brought to old Jacob respecting his son Joseph (Gen 45:16-21); how joyful the tidings brought by messengers relating to the restoration of the Jews (Isa 52:7); how jubilant the feelings of the apostle, when bound at Rome, on hearing favourable reports of the Colossian and Philippian converts! He again thanked God and took courage.
1. The first piece of good news is this, that the treaty of peace has been signed. Unto you is born a Saviour.
2. So fascinating is that country that there will be no fear of disappointment when we visit it, no wanting to return again on earth.
3. That country has very great attractions. It is–
(1) A land of plenty. Failure and starvation, known, alas! often bitterly here.
(2) A land of perfection. Failure of ideals here.
(3) A land of victory.
(4) A land of friendships. (G. P. Story.)
Good news
I. What this good news is. It is an assurance of the most stupendous and amazing love of the greatest of all Beings.
1. It consists in pardon and peace.
2. It is the means of conveying everlasting joy.
3. It is the revelation of God to the soul.
4. It is the knowledge of sin atoned for; of the law fulfilled; of Satan conquered; of death vanquished; and of heaven opened.
II. This glorious news informs us of the stupendous way whereby this blessed intelligence is conveyed. It is conveyed through Christ as the author of salvation.
III. We must first become acquainted with the person sending, and country from whence, as well as the communication sent, before we shall esteem it as good news.
1. The Spirit of God must open and shine into our minds.
2. He must subdue our worldly affections.
3. He must conquer our stubborn wills.
4. And daily read this good news to our souls. (T. B. Baker.)
Echoes from afar
1. It is a far country, possibly, as measured by distance, this heaven that we talk about. I prefer to believe that the dwelling-place of Deity is near at hand, that the sainted dead are separated from us only by the thick, dense, fleshly veil which envelops our free soul, so that we can neither feel, nor hear, nor see. Heaven lies near to the habitations of the just.
2. But heaven is a far country, as being far away beyond our comprehension. It is so utterly far beyond our experience, so surpasses our comprehension, so outstrips our thought and conception, that even the aid of revelation does give us dim glimpses of the distant splendours.
3. Heaven is a far country, because we are by nature so disqualified from inhabiting it. We speak of the fall of man, and this is the measure of it–a fall from paradise to perdition–a fall that only power Divine can span. From this far country good news has come. News from a far country is interesting to us, if it is from a strange land, unlike our own. If we have those who are near and dear to us dwelling in it. If we hope, or intend, to live in it by and by. Good news has come from this far country, the best and most glorious news that can fall on mortal ear. Angels have brought it. Jesus has brought it. The Holy Spirit has brought it. Holy men, moved by Him, have written and spoken it. Subtle, gracious, secret good news is brought from the far country still. (J. Jackson Wray.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Because it comes thither more rarely and difficultly after it hath been long expected and earnestly desired; all which circumstances make it more acceptable.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
25. (Compare Pr25:13).
good newsthat is, ofsome loved interest or absent friend, the more grateful as comingfrom afar.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
[As] cold waters to a thirsty soul,…. Water is naturally cold; and is by classic writers expressed by “cold” itself c, and is very refreshing to one athirst through heat: or, “to a weary soul” d; to one wearied with labour; or to a traveller weary with travelling, especially in hot countries, as in the deserts of Arabia, or in places where it is rare to meet with a brook, stream, or fountain of water; which, when he does, it is exceeding pleasant and agreeable to him;
so [is] good news from a far country; so acceptable is it to hear from a friend in a distant part of the world, and particularly to hear good news of him. Such is the Gospel; it is good news, and glad tidings of good things; it brings the good news of the grace, and favour, and good will of God to men; of his appointment and provision of a Saviour for them; of the incarnation of Christ; of salvation being wrought out by him for the chief of sinners, which is free, full, and for ever; and of peace, pardon, righteousness, and eternal life, through him, And this comes “from a far country”; from heaven, the better country than Canaan, which was a type of it, or any country in this world, and which is afar from hence; the Gospel comes from God in heaven, and it is a report concerning that; it is good news to saints, of an estate they have there, an inheritance, a house, a city and kingdom prepared for them there: this news is brought by the prophets of the Old Testament, who diligently inquired of salvation by Christ; by the angels at Christ’s incarnation; by John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ; by Christ himself, who was anointed to preach good tidings to the meek; and by his apostles, and all the faithful ministers of the word: and the message they bring is good news; not to carnal and self-righteous persons, but to sensible sinners; and to them it is as cold waters to a weary or thirsty soul; it assuages the heat of the law, and the wrath that works in the conscience; it quenches the thirst of carnal things, and after a man’s own righteousness; it revives and refreshes his weary drooping spirits, and fills him with a joy unspeakable and full of glory; as Jacob’s spirits were revived on hearing the good news of Joseph, Ge 45:26.
c “Perfundit gelida”, Horat. Sermon. l. 2. Sat. 7. v. 91. d “lassa”, Montanus; “lasso”, Tigurine version, so Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Michaelis.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
25 Fresh water to a thirsty soul;
And good news from a far country.
Vid., regarding the form of this proverb, vol. i. p. 9; we have a similar proverb regarding the influence of good news at Pro 15:30. Fresh cold water is called at Jer 18:14 ; vid., regarding , 18:27. “ , cogn. , and , properly to become darkened, therefore figuratively like (Arab.) gushiya ‘alyh , to become faint, to become feeble unto death, of the darkness which spreads itself over the eyes” (Fleischer).
This proverb, with the figure of “fresh water,” is now followed by one with the figure of a “fountain”:
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
See here, 1. How natural it is to us to desire to hear good news from our friends, and concerning our affairs at a distance. It is sometimes with impatience that we expect to hear from abroad; our souls thirst after it. But we should check the inordinateness of that desire; if it be bad news, it will come too soon, if good, it will be welcome at any time. 2. How acceptable such good news will be when it does come, as refreshing as cold water to one that is thirsty. Solomon himself had much trading abroad, as well as correspondence by his ambassadors with foreign courts; and how pleasant it was to hear of the good success of his negotiations abroad he well knew by experience. Heaven is a country afar off; how refreshing is it to hear good news thence, both in the everlasting gospel, which signified glad tidings, and in the witness of the Spirit with our spirits that we are God’s children.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
News Really Good
Verse 25 suggests that good news from or concerning loved ones is as refreshing spiritually as cold water to one physically thirsty. The prodigal son (Luk 15:13 FF) had fond recollection of the good things at home. The apostle Paul rejoiced in Macedonia when Titus brought refreshing news of the church at Corinth, 2Co 7:5-7. On another occasion, Paul was in Corinth staying in the home of Priscilla and Aquila when Timothy brought good news of the brethren at Thessalonica, 1Th 3:5-8. See also Gen 45:25-28.
NOTE: There is much good news in the Scriptures concerning the far country, to which some loved ones have gone; and others have booked passage. How urgent the need to inform the many uninformed, Rom 10:13-15.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
MAIN HOMILETICS OF Pro. 25:25
COLD WATER AND GOOD NEWS
I. Two blessings often ardently longed for. In these days of travel, many more can enter into the spirit of this analogy than in the days of Solomonthe comparative ease by which men can reach the most distant lands, and which in one aspect brings all places and people so much nearer together than in ancient times, is on the other hand the cause of far more separation between those who are bound together by tender ties, and fills far more hearts with an anxious longing for tidings from far countries. No more apt illustration could be used to picture such a condition of spirit than that of thirst; for as it, if of long duration, prostrates the frame and renders every other blessing of life incapable of affording any comfort, so often does a long delay of tidings concerning those most dear paralyse all the energies of the soul, and render it unable to gain comfort from any other source. The wife whose husband has been long fighting for his country on the distant battle-field, or the father whose son has been for years seeking his fortune in some far-off land, turn often with distaste from all the comforts and interests which surround them, and would willingly sacrifice many near blessings in exchange for cheering news from those beyond the seas. They are like the traveller in the desert, whose gold cannot allay his consuming thirst, and who would willingly give a bag of pearls for a cup of cold water.
II. Two blessings bringing like results. Hagar and her son wandered in the desert till the water was spent in the bottle, and then mother and son gave up all for lost and lay down to die. We may take it for granted that neither the youth nor his mother were easily overcome or quickly daunted, but thirst and its attendant evils would soon have slain them as certainly as a band of desert robbers. But when God showed to Hagar the well, and they had drank of its waters, it was as though a new life had entered into them, and hope and energy returned. This is a type of what has happened to many a heart-sick soul since those days. Jacob was going down to his grave still mourning for the son lost so many years ago, and life, we may well believe, had lost its interest for him when his sons brought the astonishing tidings, Joseph is yet alive, and is governor over all the land of Egypt. And the old man renewed his youth, and, so to speak, began to live again, so life-restoring often to a thirsty soul are good news from a far country.
OUTLINES AND SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS
A far-off land sends specially good news because we faint the more, and long the harder, for the very reason that it is so distant. They come more seldom. And our relations with far-off lands are weightier and more critical than those beside us. So much for the secular significance. But oh! the spiritual! The righteous scarcely are saved. (1Pe. 4:18). We are in a wilderness. (Rev. 12:6; Rev. 12:14). Our enemies are legion. (Eph. 6:12). We run the gauntlet with daily foes, (Eph. 5:16); and that with daily changes in their attempts to trip us. (Pro. 5:6). The sinner, wherever he may be met, is faint with fatigue. Our Saviour knew this when He shaped His appeal Come unto me, all ye that labour, etc. (Mat. 11:28). Now, high over all other modes of comfort is the good news from a far-off land. All right there, come anything! A mans life may have been a perfect failure, quoad the opinion of the world; but if he have Heaven it has been the very bestthere has not been an hour of it that has not been marshalled by a Divine tactic, the best for the man and the best for his part in the war.Miller.
We shall especially apply the subjectto heavengood news from heaven. There are several things that make good news from a far country as grateful as cold waters to a thirsty soul. I. If the country reported is altogether unlike our own. The human mind is always interested in what is novel and romanticstrangeness has a strange fascination for the soul. What charms have the reports of Captain Cook, Moffatt, Livingstone, for all minds. II. If the country reported has conferred an immense benefit on us. Supposing that we had once been in a state of abject slavery, and that the far country reported to us had effected our emancipation and guaranteed our liberty, with what interest should we listen to everything about itthe act that served us would invest all the incidents connected with this history with a special charm. III. If the country reported contained any that are dear to us. New Zealand, Vancouvers Island, and many other countries, are extremely interesting to many families in this land, on account of the friends they have living in them. IV. If the country reported is a scene in which we expect to live ourselves. With what interest does the emigrant listen to everything referring to that land whither he is about wending his way, and which he is adopting as his home. Heaven as a far country pre-eminently meets all these conditions of interest. There is the Novel How unlike that country is ours. Here is a sphere for the play of the romantic. There is the Benefactor. What benefits that far country has conferred on us! Thence we have received Christ the Redeemer of the World, and the Blessed Spirit of wisdom, purity, and love. There are our Friends. How many of those whom we have known and loved are there. How many such are going there every day. Some of us have more friends in heaven than on earth. There we expect to live. There we expect an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away.Dr. David Thomas.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
(25) Good news from a far country.This is suggestive of the little communication which in old times took place between distant countries.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
25. Thirsty soul With the Hebrew the soul ( nephesh) was regarded as the seat of sensuous feelings, and hence was frequently used concretely for the entire man.
Good news Favourable report, as from a distant friend, or the success of some commercial or military enterprise. Comp. Pro 15:30; Gen 45:27.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Wisdom Regarding Self-Discipline Pro 25:25-28 deals primarily with self-discipline.
Pro 25:25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
Pro 25:25
Pro 25:26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
Pro 25:26
[135] Jerry Vines and Jim Shaddix, Power in the Pulpit (Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1999), 72.
Pro 25:27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
Pro 25:27
Pro 25:28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
Pro 25:28
Fuente: Everett’s Study Notes on the Holy Scriptures
Pro 25:25 [As] cold waters to a thirsty soul, so [is] good news from a far country.
Ver. 25. As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news. ] This and many more of these proverbs Solomon might well utter out of his own experience, for he sent out into far countries for gold, horses, and other commodities, 1Ki 9:26 besides embassies of state, and inquiries into the natures and qualities of foreign parts and peoples. Of the conversion of other countries to the faith, he could not then hear, as we now may, and lately have good news from New England. Neither had he the happiness to hear that which we have not only heard, but “seen and handled of the word of life.” 1Jn 1:1 He had , the promise; but we have , the joyful tidings, the sum of all the good news in the world, as the angels, those first messengers, proclaimed it. Luk 2:10 “Jesus” is a short gospel, and the good news of him should drown all discontents – yea, make our very hearts dance levaltoes within us, as Abraham’s did, though he heard of him only by the hearing of the ear, or saw him afar off. Heaven is called a “far country”; Mat 25:14 good news from thence brought in by the hand of the Holy Ghost, “witnessing with our spirits that we are the sons of God, and if sons, then heirs” of that far country, of that fair city “whose maker and builder is God,” how welcome should that be to us, and how inexpressibly comfortable! See 1Pe 1:8 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
good news, &c. Illustrations: Jacob (Gen 45:25-28); Paul (Col 1:3, Col 1:4. Eph 1:15, Eph 1:16. Php 1:1, Php 1:3-6).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Pro 25:25
Pro 25:25
“As cold waters to a thirsty soul, So is good news from afar country.”
In a sense, what is said here is true of any good news; but what is implied in this verse is that, “The extreme difficulty of getting news from a distant place (especially in ancient times) heightened and increased the refreshment that such good news gave.
Pro 25:25. In Bible days one received very little news from distant places (not like we do today). The welcomeness of a drink of cold water when thirsty and the refreshing relief it brings suggest that ones heart is refreshed or relieved (or both) from good news from relatives afar off, or in the case of kings good news from his army fighting afar off.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
cold: Gen 21:16-19, Exo 17:2, Exo 17:3, Exo 17:6, Jdg 15:18, Jdg 15:19, 2Sa 23:15, Psa 42:1, Psa 42:2, Psa 63:1, Isa 55:1, Jer 18:14, Joh 7:37, Rev 21:6, Rev 22:17
so: Pro 15:30, Isa 52:7, Nah 1:15, Luk 2:10, Luk 2:11, Rom 10:15, 1Ti 1:15
Reciprocal: Gen 22:20 – told Gen 24:56 – Hinder 2Sa 18:27 – He is a good Pro 25:13 – General 1Co 16:18 – they 1Th 3:6 – and brought
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
THE REFRESHMENT OF GOOD NEWS
As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
Pro 25:25
I. Heaven is the far country to us poor children of the earth to-day.(1) It is a far country possibly as measured by distance. (2) It is a far country more especially from the fact that it is far away beyond our comprehension. (3) Heaven is a far country because we are by nature so disqualified from inhabiting it. The distance is measured by the unfitness of the case.
II. From this far country good news has come.(1) We delight to hear from a far country when it contains those who are near and dear to us. (2) News from a far country is profoundly interesting and acceptable if it be a country in which we intend to live by and by. You are all intending to emigrate to heaven. Surely, then, news of this far country, brought to you from the far country direct, should be to you as cold waters to a thirsty soul.
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
Pro 25:25. As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country Good and certain news, especially from a far country, (from whence it is hard to have any true intelligence,) is as grateful to him that longed to hear of his friends there, as cool water is to a thirsty traveller; especially when he meets with it in remote and uninhabited places, where he did not expect it. Bishop Patrick.