The imagery used here was very apt for someone in the Middle East who regularly sighed under the immense heat of those days. Cold water could renew one's spirit!
Similarly, when one received a message from a far country, one would often have to wait a long time for it to arrive. In those days, there was no telephone or internet, as we are so used to today. You often had to be patient for a long time.
Are they reacting to the transaction we have offered? Are our loved ones still doing fine in that far away country? To wait and wait some more is what is required in these situations. But then, when finally, news arrived from afar, the relief was great at such a moment. They immediately felt better.
Old father Jacob experienced this when he heard the good news that his son Joseph was still alive. Jacob’s spirit was revived at that moment, as stated in Genesis 45:27. Jacob regained his zest for life and longed fervently to see his son. This surprising, good news was for Jacob like cold water on a hot day.
We may also experience this, when finally, we receive good news of something that we were eagerly looking forward to. What a relief, when, after a long waiting period, we finally receive a message that our transaction has been accepted. What a relief it is, when after some challenging times, we hear that our children are now doing fine in that far away land. That news is like a refreshing drink on a blistering hot day. It gives us great relief. We regain our zest for life.
25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.