A Little Honey Sweet - Gen. 43:11
We can make a significant impact in the lives of others through small acts of kindness and thoughtfulness, which can ultimately be recognized by God.
Bernard Fell preaches on the story of Joseph and his brothers from Genesis 43:11, highlighting the act of kindness and love shown by the sons of Jacob when they carried down a present with a little honey to Egypt. This seemingly simple gesture of sending a gift unknowingly blessed Joseph, who was deeply moved by the thoughtfulness and love behind it. The sermon emphasizes how small acts of kindness and love, done with a pure heart, can have a significant impact, even if we may not see the immediate results. Just like Joseph was touched by his brothers' gesture, our heavenly Joseph, Jesus, notices and values every act of kindness we do for others.
Text
Carry down the man a present. . .
and a little honey.
Genesis 43:11
The sons of Jacob wend their way
To buy the needed corn;
The home bereft of Benjamin,
The old man left to mourn.
With extra money in their hand
He sent a present meet--
Nuts, spices, balm, and luscious fruits,
A little honey sweet.
But little knew the Patriarch,
That kindly act to bless,
Was lavished on his precious son,
Long lost in deep distress.
And Joseph's tender heart was moved,
A place to weep he sought,
When gazing on his mother's son,
And touched by Jacob's thought.
Great works of art emblazed abroad
A lifetime may have planned;
But countless deeds are well performed
By love's unconscious hand.
From seeds of kindness sown by grace,
The fruit we may not see;
Our heav'nly Joseph will declare--
"Ye did it unto Me".
Unknown, unsung, and oft unprized,
One day these deeds below,
With final touches of love's hand,
A masterpiece will show.
A cheerful word with sunlit smile,
A weary soul to greet,
And errands for the helpless sick
With swift and willing feet.
Conspicuous acts command the view,
Like oaks that mark the glade;
But violets sweet of common blue
Smile brightly in the shade.
So in our humble sphere of life,
Cheer all the souls we meet;
With Jacob's thought bring into lives--
A little honey sweet.
Sermon Outline
- The Patriarch's Kind Act
- The Unconscious Hand of Love
- The Masterpiece of Love
- Spreading Cheer in Our Sphere
- Conspicuous acts vs. humble deeds
- Bringing joy to those we meet
- The fruit of kindness sown by grace
Key Quotes
“A little honey sweet.” — Bernard Fell
“Our heav'nly Joseph will declare-- 'Ye did it unto Me'.” — Bernard Fell
“With Jacob's thought bring into lives-- A little honey sweet.” — Bernard Fell
Application Points
- We can make a difference in the lives of others by being kind and thoughtful towards them.
- Our acts of kindness may go unnoticed by others, but they will be recognized by God.
- We should strive to spread cheer and joy in our daily lives by being kind and thoughtful towards others.