". . . . . thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." Psalm 23:5
To fully appreciate the expression, "My cup runneth over," one must understand the oriental way of showing hospitality. When a generous host poured for his guests, he spared nothing. No dainty, polite "half measures" would do. He lavishly filled each vessel to overflowing to demonstrate his hearty friendship. It is the Good Shepherd's unstinting love for us that is emphasized by the "flooded cup" of blessing.
Sometimes the wells where shepherds brought their sheep were very deep. The water then had to be brought up to the surface by a rope with a leather bucket at the end. This was let down and drawn up hand over hand, by a slow, laborious process, and the water poured into large stone cups beside the well. If the man had a hundred sheep, he might have to draw for two hours if he allowed the flock to drink all they wanted. Here is where the hireling shepherd displayed his heartlessness. As soon as a poor sheep had taken just a few mouthfuls of water he would push it aside in order to save himself work. But the good shepherd has no such disposition. He would draw and draw and fill the watering cups to overflowing until all his thirsty sheep were completely satisfied. So, too, God's giving to us, His children, has always been "good measure, pressed down, and running over."
It is interesting to note that the overflowing cup was not provided until the sheep had first been anointed and refreshed with oil. This is true also in the Christian's life. There is never a constant stream of overflowing joy until the heart has been surrendered to Christ and anointed by the "oil" of the Holy Spirit.
God does not make our cup run over simply to give us the selfish joy of superabundance, but more particularly that through us the blessing might overflow to others round about us. Is your cup running over? It can, you know!.
"Bread For Each Day"
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