tending to the tenders

Posted on July 27, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1496Jeremiah 22-23:8

In denouncing the unfaithful kings of Judah, Jeremiah plays on the word for shepherd.  The English word is based on the word sheep, but the Hebrew word is based on the a verb meaning to tend, pasture, and feed.  Jeremiah tells the kings that they has not attended to the flock, so now the LORD will attend to them.  Exile and death in a foreign land, and loss of a dynasty will be the result.  The LORD will raise up a new king in Judah, a righteous branch.

LORD, thank you for caring for your flock, and sending Jesus, your righteous Branch.

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his garden

Posted on July 26, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1495Song of Solomon 4:9-5:1

The groom relishes in his bride and describes her in terms of taste and beauty.  She is his garden, filling him with delight.  She invites him to come to his garden, and he joys in the memory of their time together.  This is how marital love should be, and it joys our creator’s heart when we love each other so.

LORD, teach us (married and betrothed) how to delight in each other all the days of our lives.

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Inquire for us

Posted on July 26, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1496Jeremiah 21

Jeremiah was commissioned by king Zedekiah to inquire of the LORD for his nation.  They wanted him to ask God to intervene and prevent the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar.  But the prophet knew that they simply wanted him to sweep their corruption and sin under the rug.  God’s prophet must say what God feels – even when that means destruction for his people and city.  Integrity means saying the truth even when your own people want you to lie.

LORD, make us people of integrity.

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she’s the one

Posted on July 25, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1482Song of Solomon 4:1-8

She is all that he can see.  Her beauty has captivated his heart.  There is no flaw in her.  After seeing her, his desire for anything or anyone else disappears.  She’s the one.  And she feels the same way!  Praise the LORD for the gift of marital love.

LORD, we celebrate the love of a bride and groom.  Thank you for this gift.

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an unappreciated truth

Posted on July 25, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1480Jeremiah 20

Jeremiah knew what it was like to proclaim the word of the LORD among a people who have rejected it.  Because he spoke an unappreciated truth, he was shamefully and violently treated by the very people who should have defended him.  Jeremiah called his burden to preach a burning fire in his heart.  Even though it brought him pain, and turned the very people of God against him, he kept preaching this unappreciated truth.

LORD, give us the courage to proclaim all your truth, even that truth which us not accepted, and is unappreciated.

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dreams of time together

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1478Song of Solomon 3

 

The bride dreams of looking for her lover, and then finding him.  In her dream, she takes him to an intimate place.  She sees Solomon “on the day of his wedding, on the day of the gladness of his heart.” 

Even the longing for our time together can be a joyous thing.  Marital love is one of the gifts from our heavenly Father. 

LORD, thank you for the joy that is ours as married couples.

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in Gehenna

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1479Jeremiah 19

The same LORD who had promised to remake his pottery if they repented now visually demonstrates what he will do to them if they do not repent.  Jeremiah was told to take a potter’s flask and break it before the people.  He did this in Gehenna – the valley (Ge) of the son of Hinnom.  By so doing, he demonstrated the fate of Judah for their rebellion and idolatry.  He also illustrated final punishment for all the wicked, for when Jesus spoke of final punishment, he used the word Gehenna.  In the end, those who do not repent will be destroyed, just like that potter’s flask.

LORD, rain your righteousness on us.  We hear your words, and seek to change – not just to avoid hell, but because we want to live.  We want to be suitable vessels for your eternal life.

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vineyard spoilers

Posted on July 23, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1476Song of Solomon 2:8-17

When the time is right, the hindrances and fears and distractions are overcome.  Marital love is a beautiful thing at that time, a right thing.  Nothing (even the mountains) should be allowed to spoil the joy that the LORD intends for lovers. 

Yet the little foxes also try to spoil the vineyards.  So she asks her lover to catch them.  These are the things that might destroy the relationship before the springtime of love.  Many a relationship has been destroyed because some fox has broken into the vineyard.

LORD, give us and our children wisdom to take care of the vineyard spoilers.

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forgive not…

Posted on July 23, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1473Jeremiah 18

Both Jeremiah and Paul (Romans 9) used the potter and clay metaphor to explain God’s sovereignty and Israel’s sin.  The potter stands as judge over his own creation.  If he finds a flaw in it, he is free to remake it according to his wishes.  Yet Jeremiah also makes it clear that the judgment works both ways.  At any time, if Israel repents, then the LORD will relent his plans to destroy it.  The prophecy is conditional.

But Jeremiah has had enough.  The plotting to kill him was the last straw for him.  He prayed to the LORD not to forgive them, but to let them be overthrown.  He expresses the anger that God feels at a rebellious people.

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the feast

Posted on July 22, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_1471Song of Solomon 1:9-2:7

The lovers in this song feast on each other’s beauty.  They have eyes for each other, and all others become dull backdrops for the main attraction.  She is a lily among brambles. He is an apple tree, giving both cool shade, and sweet fruit.  Love is a feast, and one for which we can celebrate the master of the feast – the one who put a man and a woman in a garden to enjoy all its delights – including each other.

LORD, thank you for the feast of love.

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