It is a fact that honeybees are an integral part of the spirituality of the Torah, the Old Testament and the New Testament. When God spoke to Moses from the depths of the burning bush, He spoke of the work of honeybees, the little workers He had created to bring forth healing, food and light for humanity. God missioned Moses to take His people from Egypt and to bring them into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey (The Torah, the Old Testament, the Book of Exodus, Chapter 3, verses 1 to 8). What God has blessed with life in our planet, let us treasure and care for. From love, reverence and obedience to God flows love, reverence and obedience for His creation.
Honey is spoken of many times in the Bible. The New Testament, Gospel of St Matthew, Chapter 3 verse 4 speaks of the great John the Baptist's love for honey. Bees kept John alive with the fruit of their work in the desert. Honey was given to King David and his people as a gift of nourishment by Shobi son of Nahash, and Makir son of Ammiel. Honey from honeybees was a gift fit for royalty (the Torah, Old Testament, the Second book of the Prophet Samuel, Chapter 17, verses 27 to 29.)
Israel, the great father of Joseph in Egypt, sent honey to his son as gift (the Torah, Old Testament, the Book of Genesis Chapter 43, verse 11). Moses spoke of the honey from the work of the honeybees which nourished the people. He also spoke to the people of Israel about God's work in ensuring that the people were fed the fruit of the fields - many of which are fruits of pollination by honeybees (Old Testament, the Book of Deuteronomy Chapter 32, verse 13).
A land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and honey was described by the Commander from Assyria (the Torah, Old Testament, the Second Book of Kings Chapter 18 verse 32). Honey was used as an item of trade by Judah and Israel as described in the Torah, Old Testament, the Prophet Ezekiel Chapter 27, verse 17.
Honey was deposited by wild bees in holes in the ground. Jonathan, the son of King Saul, found the honey in the woods (the Torah, Old Testament, the First Book of Samuel, Chapter 14, verse 25). The Israelites gave honey from honeybees as a tithe, written of in the Torah, Old Testament, the Second Book of Chronicles Chapter 31, verse 5.
The Lord's ordinances are sweeter than honey, as described in Psalms Chapter 19, verse 10.
'they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.'
In our time
In our time we still depend on the little creatures, honeybees, for light, life, nourishment, healing and happiness. From the work of the honeybees come beeswax, pollen, honey, royal jelly and propolis. We enjoy the health benefits of honey containing vitamins. Manuka honey from New Zealand is used by many who feel it benefits their health.
Honey and royal jelly is often used in preparations to soothe and beautify sensitive skin. Honey soothes a sore throat. Singers use honey to aid their singing, soothing and lubricating their throat, thus protecting their voice and beautifying their singing. Propolis made by bees is used in ointments for healing cuts and wounds, and as medication. The honey wine mead is enjoyed by many. There are many other uses for the products the honeybees make.
Light and fire for cooking fires is given by beeswax candles. Worship services regularly use the beauty of lit beeswax candles as a symbol of God's lighting our lives with blessing. The fragrance of beeswax from burning candles is due to the presence of pollen and propolis within the beeswax. Handmade beeswax candles provide employment and commerce.
Bees pollinate almond trees; apple trees, pear trees; and so many more. They pollinate flowers, which form an industry providing employment and income. Flowers are used in healing flower essences. Flowers also brighten altars of worship, and are extensively used in religious services everywhere. Bees pollinate herbs, used in cooking, tinctures, ointments and herbal medications for healing. Herbs for cooking often used include garlic, parsley, onions, bay leaves, turmeric, ginger. Herbs for healing include comfrey, lavender, rosemary. Bees pollinate crops of vegetables, and cotton.
Reports tell us that the honeybee is endangered. If there are no bees, there are no crops. If there are no crops, there is no food. Without food, we cannot sustain life. Let us then join hands together, affirming our spirituality of responsibility for the creation God has given us, and protect the little honeybee and her honey of which the God of Creation Himself spoke to the great Moses from the burning bush.
Interested in reading of crops pollinated by bees? There are so many of them... read
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_crop_plants_pollinated_by_bees
Interested in reading of herbs pollinated by bees? There are so many of them...read
http://www.buzzaboutbees.net/herb-planting-for-bees.html
*Photograph taken by Rev. Catherine. Please feel free to use copyright free for any educational or spiritual purpose
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