Numbers 33:28Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The twenty-fifth encampment symbolizes sweetness. You have ascended to the heights, admired the assembly of virtues, feared the fall, and banished those who do evil. Now, the reward for your toil shall follow you, and like learning, you will reap sweet fruits from bitter beginnings. You will declare, “Thy words are sweet to my throat, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Psalm 118:103), and the Bridegroom will sing to you, “Honey drips from thy mouth, my sister bride” (Song 4:11). For what brings more joy than knowledge, what is more valuable than wisdom, what is more delightful to the Lord? Taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalms 33:9). Thus, Samson, who drove away the birds from his fruit, bound the foxes that ravage the vineyards, and slain the roaring lion, discovered honey within the carcass (Judges 14).