>“Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country” (Proverbs 25:25).

Our nation is a cultural mosaic. America is a nation composed of people who came from almost every nation on earth. We are a society with different ethnic groups, who speak many different languages, and who enjoy a variety of cultural traditions. So, it is natural for people who have come to America from different countries to desire to hear good news from family and from friends, loved people who are far away.

When people are expecting bad news from a distant country, they wait for that news with trepidation, knowing that something bad waits for them, bad news brought by a messenger of doom. When people are expecting good news, that news cannot come soon enough and the news will be welcomed because the messenger of good news will bring news that will gladden the heart of the one who hears it.

This was the sentiment of the prophet Isaiah when he said: “How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness” (Isaiah 52:7).

As the wise man wrote, good news has the power to refresh the soul as cold water delights and refreshes the person who is faint from thirst. The expression “thirsty soul” can be translated “a thirsty throat,” but in the context of the book of Proverbs, the word “soul” refers to the whole person.

At times, it is difficult to receive news of any kind from a distant land, primarily when that country is hostile. People who fled their countries because of war, persecution, or oppression often are unable to receive any news from the country they left behind. Thus, when any news is received, it is much better when that news is good news.

When Jacob received news that Joseph, his beloved son, was dead, Jacob became very depressed. At the news of Joseph’s death, Jacob tore his garments, put on sackcloth and mourned for his dead son many days. So depressed was Jacob, that when his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, he rejected their words of encouragement and refused to be comforted. He said: “In mourning will I go down to the grave” (Genesis 37:33-35).

But one day, Jacob received good news from a far country. It was good news from Egypt. After his sons returned from Egypt, Jacob received good news from that far off land: “Joseph is alive” (Genesis 45:26). When Jacob received the news that his son was alive, it was like cool, refreshing water in the throat of a man who was spiritually and emotionally thirsty. The news was so good that Jacob was stunned. So good was that news from Egypt that at first Jacob refused to believe the news his sons brought to him. But when he was assured that the news was good indeed, “the spirit of Jacob revived” (Genesis 45:23-28). So is the power of good news from a far country.

In this impersonal society in which we live, people need good news. Good news can comfort people who are depressed and can lift up their spirits by providing them with hope and determination to face times of loneliness, to bring them out from the depths of their emotional despair, and to provide refreshed determination to help them confront their disappointments and failures.

For people of faith, that good news came from heaven more than two thousand years ago. It was the best news ever heard from a distant place. The heavenly messengers came from a far country to bring good news of great joy that would gladden the heart and refresh the souls of every human being, near and far:

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).

How refreshing it was for the weary shepherds to hear the good news brought by the heavenly messengers that the hoped for Messiah was born in Bethlehem. That proclamation of good news was refreshing to people who lived two thousand years ago and continues to be a refreshing message for people today. This is the power of good news from a far country.

Although God is an ever present God, to many people, he is still a God who is far away. That is the reason the message the angels proclaimed in Bethlehem is good news, because from his distant heaven God sent a message that will serve as good news for every lonely and thirsty soul: “ I am always with you until the end of time” (Matthew 28:20).

This good news from a far away country is good news indeed.

Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary

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Tags: Proverbs 25:25, Good News