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The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew. Anyone who is bilingual knows that there are often nuances of meaning lost in translation. The Hebrew words translated “joy” and “delight” have an interesting connotation. They refer to the jubilant mirth associated with attending a festival.
 When my two boys were small, I took them to Six Flags over Georgia for a day of “jubilant mirth.” I told them they could eat whatever they wanted throughout the day – in reasonable quantities and at regular intervals. My older son quickly chose a treat that looked good to him. But my younger son took his time to select the perfect delicacy – he was a sugar connoisseur at a young age. I watched him observing people eating various goodies. I could see him measuring the sugar rush in his mind.
Finally, he made his choice. He pointed to someone feasting on blue cotton candy and said, “Daddy, I want that.”
I replied, “Son, you chose wisely.”
Since he had never eaten cotton candy before, I had to disciple him in the fine art of eating it. “Pull a large section off and place it in your mouth. Then do not move. Allow it to dissolve slowly in your mouth.”
My son followed my directions with precision. He placed a significant quantity of cotton candy in his mouth. As it dissolved in his mouth and his face lit up, I thought, “That is exactly what Jeremiah was describing.” The look on his face was pure “jubilant mirth.”
The experience of the cotton candy is a perfect picture of our attitude toward the Word of God. Maybe Jeremiah should have said it this way,
“Your words became for me like blue cotton candy!”
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