The Tower of the Flock - The Birthplace of Christ

This post was unplanned. Until last week, I did not know what I am planning to share in this post. 

On the morning of Tuesday, December 24th, I discovered something completely new to me.

This was way too special for me not to share! I only wish I could’ve published this post that day. 

To give a little more context to what I plan to share in this post, I’ll back up just a little bit. 

I follow a weekly Bible reading plan. That is, I do a lot of Bible reading on the weekend. During the week, I do lighter Bible reading. I read many chapters on the weekend. I absolutely love this! This works so well for me. 

On the weekend of December 14th, I read several chapters from the book of Genesis. Those chapters contained a lot in them, including the death of Rachel, Jacob’s wife, mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin. 

The story of Rachel really grips me and even makes me get a little emotional. Rachel was Joseph’s mother.

Two years ago I wrote a post about Rachel in connection with the birth of Christ. Rachel was buried near Bethlehem. Jesus was born in Bethlehem. 

When I am finished with my Bible reading on the weekend, I enjoy going for a walk in our neighborhood to think about the chapters I read. 

Rachel’s death. Christ’s birth. Bethlehem. Those things were all on my mind that day. They are all kind of connected. 

Later that evening, I came across something that someone else had shared on social media. The article they shared mentioned verses I had just read that day about Rachel’s death. The article also talked about the birth of Christ and how both those events happened in Bethlehem. 

My interest was peaked. The article mentioned something about the “Tower of the Flock”. 

In Hebrew, the Tower of the Flock is called “Migdal Edar” - migdal meaning tower and edar meaning flock. 

The “Tower of the Flock” is mentioned in the Bible, but I never gave it much thought. I kept it in the back of my mind, wanting to know more. 

What was this tower? And what was it used for? 

Apparently, back when the Bible was written, there was a tower in the fields just outside of Bethlehem. This tower was, technically, in Bethlehem. 

To my knowledge, the first time this tower is mentioned in the Bible is in Genesis 35:21. A couple verses before that mention Rachel’s death. 

“And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem. 

And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day.

And Israel journeyed, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Edar.”

Genesis 35:19-21 

The tower of edar, that is, the tower of the flock. 

Rachel died close to this tower, and her husband, Israel, set up his tent near this tower. 

 

But what was this tower? What was it used for? 

The tower of the flock was an actual tower built from stone. This tower was used by shepherds in Bethlehem. They used it to help keep watch over their flocks of sheep, especially if one began to wander away or if one was ready to give birth. 

Apparently, there was an upper level where the shepherds could look out over their flocks. And there was a main level, the lower level, where shepherds would bring sheep inside when they were ready to give birth to a lamb. 

I never knew any of this. It is very easy to see how this tower got its name - the tower of the flock. 

This tower could also be used for military purposes as it would give a good view of anything that was coming. But, its primary use was for shepherds and for sheep. 

When the Temple was in Jerusalem, there were many lambs that were sacrificed each year on Passover. According to God’s Word, those Passover lambs had to be perfect, spotless, and without blemish. 

During the time of Christ, the town of Bethlehem was where those Passover lambs were born. The fields just outside of Bethlehem, near this tower of the flock, is where Levitical shepherds raised these sheep. Those Levitical shepherds used the main level of this tower to bring those sheep in when they gave birth to lambs intended to be sacrificed for Passover. 

After a lamb was born, those Levitical shepherds would take that lamb, wrap it in swaddling clothes (strips of linen from worn priestly garments) and lay that lamb in a stone manger inside this tower. Are you beginning to see the connection? 

It was to those Levitical shepherds that the angels of heaven appeared and announced the birth of Christ! 

The Gospel of Luke says it this way: 

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:8-12 

Swaddling clothes and a manger? 

Those Levitical shepherds knew exactly what those were and where to find them! 

As a girl, I used to wonder how those shepherds knew where to find Jesus the night he was born.

Did they check every stable (or perhaps a cave) in Bethlehem until they found a baby all wrapped up and laying in a manger?

Granted, Bethlehem was a small town. But still. Let’s suppose there were only 40 - 50 families living in Bethlehem then. Did they check every stable in Bethlehem until they found him? 

Most homes in the USA have a garage for vehicles. Not every home in the United States has a garage, but most do. Back then, homes didn’t have a garage since vehicles didn’t exist. Instead, they had a stable for their animals. 

How did those shepherds know where to find baby Jesus? I used to wonder. 

The sign that the angel gave them was enough for them - swaddling clothes and a manger. 

Those shepherds knew exactly where to go. 

The tower of the flock. 

When I discovered this a week ago today, I had tears streaming down my face with arms and hands lifted up to God in complete and total awe! I am an emotional female, and when something touches me deeply inside, I sometimes cry. 

Jesus, our Passover Lamb, was born inside the tower of the flock, where baby lambs sacrificed for Passover were born. 

I watched this video that morning with tears in my eyes. This brief video shares it so well. 

I shared this with some family members that morning during breakfast. I was so overjoyed to share this with them! I also discovered that the excited 5 year old inside me is still very much alive and well. 

For many years, I have wanted to know where Christ was born. Yes, I knew Christ was born in Bethlehem. I have known that since I was probably 3 years old. 

But where in Bethlehem was Christ born?

I have wanted to know that for many years. I thought I might never know, and that was okay. I didn’t need to know. But I thought it would be so special if someone knew exactly where. 

Now, I know. There is no doubt in my mind at all. Christ was born inside the tower of the flock in Bethlehem. 

The prophet Micah talks about the birth of Messiah in Bethlehem in these well known verses: 

“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” 

Micah 5:2 

What I didn’t know was that Micah also tells us where in Bethlehem Messiah was to be born! 

Can you guess where? 

The tower of the flock! 

In the previous chapter, Micah says: 

“And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.”

Micah 4:8 

Micah spoke about a future restoration to God’s people, Israel, which the Messiah would bring. 

To where would He come?

The tower of the flock. 

To get a better understanding of these verses, I continued reading for some context, and I could hardly believe it when the next few verses talked about a woman in travail and in labor! 

Prophetically, these verses could have more than one meaning, but there is no doubt in my mind that the tower of the flock in Bethlehem is exactly where Christ was born. 

Many nativity scenes today depict baby Jesus born in a dirty barn or stable with different animals around Him. That is only partially correct. 

The inside of that tower was surely not fancy. It was probably quite simple, but it would not have been dirty. It would have been ceremonially clean for those sheep to give birth to Passover lambs. 

Yes, there would have likely been animals nearby, but primarily, just sheep and baby lambs! And if Joseph and Mary had a donkey, which they likely did, their donkey would have also been nearby. 

How incredibly perfect to have baby Passover lambs around the birth of the Lamb of God! God does everything with tremendous significance, meaning, and purpose. The birth of His Son was no different. 

To know exactly where the birth of God’s Son took place was God’s special gift to me this season. 

An artist’s depiction of the “Tower of the Flock” in Bethlehem, Israel. 

Shining Lights

The holiday season has so many delights in it. 

My favorite part is, without a doubt, the music. Carols about the birth of Christ are a joy to sing and play. By definition, a carol is a song of joy. I enjoy remembering the birth of our Savior. 

I also enjoy the lights during the holiday season, along with treats like cookies and hot chocolate. 

The birth of Christ was such a glorious event, it was recorded in the pages of the Bible. Sadly though, the celebrations behind Christmas, like Christmas trees, are pagan in origin. You won’t find me supporting Christmas trees or Santa. 

Yes, God made pine trees just like He made pumpkins. I enjoy both, but you won’t find me decorating Christmas trees or carving pumpkins. 

Singing and playing carols that give glory to God for sending us His son, beautiful lights, cookies and hot chocolate… those are things I enjoy! I didn’t expect to share my personal views on Christmas in a blog post, but there you have it. And actually, cookies, warm drinks, cozy lights, and candles are things I enjoy all winter! 

I have a small collection of different Christmas CD’s. Several of them are Christmas harp CD’s by various artists. One of my Christmas harp CD’s is so peaceful it could put you to sleep. 

I had that Christmas harp CD playing in my vehicle last week when I drove to a town about 20 minutes north of where I live late one afternoon to purchase an item I could not find in our town. 

On my drive home, I drove through the older part of this town. 

The sun had set, and everything got dark outside quickly. The old part of this town was all lit up with white lights for the holiday season. 

Magical is the word that came to mind. It was truly magical seeing all the cozy white lights in the dark night sky, and with peaceful harp music playing in my vehicle, it was even more enjoyable. I came to a stop in traffic, but I didn’t mind. I soaked in the beauty of the moment.

The shining lights were such a contrast to the dark night sky. And then I began to wonder as I sat there in traffic for a minute… 

I wonder if that is what true Christians are like? Bright and shining lights in this dark world? Giving light and warmth and hope to others because of Christ? 

The analogy that came to my mind filled my heart with so much inspiration. 

Indeed, with Christ living in us, that is exactly what we are. Later, this verse came to my mind: 

“That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.”

Philippians 2:15

Those who are true Christians, those who have Christ living inside of them, shine as lights in this dark world. What a powerful thought! 

I will likely think of that now when I see lights at night during the holiday season. 

In order for our light to shine brightly, we must be connected to the power source - Christ. 

In speaking of Christ, the apostle John wrote: 

“That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” 

John 1:9

What an incredible joy and privilege it is to point others to that true light, the Savior of the world! 

Garden Pottage Soup Recipe

I must enjoy cooking more than I realize because I am sharing another recipe here on my blog. I enjoy making things at home very much. 

This soup recipe is a favorite of mine, especially in the colder fall and winter seasons. 

Now that the winter season is nearly here, I’m thinking of all the cozy things of winter. To me, that definitely includes delicious soup recipes. 

Soup with bread is my favorite meal. To me, soup with bread is so satisfying, and with vegetables like this recipe has in it, this is also nutritious. I love nutritious and delicious food. 

This soup recipe was given to me from a friend many years ago. The friend who sent me this recipe said this soup was advertised as:

“A soup good enough to serve to company.” 

Indeed, it is. 

I have made this soup for my birthday supper for many years. That is how much I enjoy this recipe.  

I love to make this on a cold, winter evenings, especially when snow is coming down. It is so delightful to sit around our supper table with my family to hot bowls of vegetable soup and bread.

This soup is good with garlic bread, artisan bread, sourdough bread, or really, any kind of bread. 

Homemade “Garden Pottage” soup on the stove. 

Garden Pottage Soup

1 and 1/2 c. water 

4 large potatoes 

2 medium onions

2 carrots 

3 celery stalks 

3 Tbs. butter

3 Tbs. parsley (dried) 

1 Tbs. chives (dried) 

1 tsp. salt

3/4 tsp. paprika 

Sauce: 

4 c. milk 

4 Tbs. butter

2 Tbs. flour 

2 chicken bouillon cubes

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

Cooking instructions: 

In a medium to large size pot, add the water and the vegetables, cut up. Then add butter and seasonings. Simmer the top ingredients together for 20 minutes. (note: the original recipe said to mash vegetables with a potato masher after that, but I usually don’t.) 

In a smaller pot, whisk the sauce ingredients together until hot. Then add the sauce to vegetable mix in larger pot and heat. 

Serve hot. Enjoy! 

Note: 

• Those who are dairy free, you can use another type of milk in place of regular milk. I have done this, and it turns out great. 

We enjoy using rice milk in this particular recipe. I’m not sure I would recommend using almond or coconut milk for this particular recipe. 

• Those who are completely dairy free, regular butter can also be substituted for another type of butter, though we have not tried this. 

Beauty for Ashes

This past week, I’ve done a lot of remembering. Five years ago, I had major surgery. Tuesday, November 19, 2019 is a date that is somewhat etched on my mind.

This year, the dates in relation to the days of the week are the same as they were in 2019 which caused me to remember even more. 

Five years is a milestone which also caused me to remember. I will always remember the date, but it will likely be less and less as the years go by.  

Because it has only been five years, I still remember certain things very vividly. 

I still remember what we ate for supper the night before my surgery. I remember the all natural lavender soap and body cream I used in and after my shower the night before my surgery. 

I still remember the clouds in the sky the morning of my surgery. It looked like someone had stretched out a soft, fluffy, white blanket across the sky with patches of sunlight peaking through. 

I still remember the kind, young nurse who gave me some things to use on myself before my surgery. I remember the blue hospital gown and yellow socks she gave me to put on. 

I remember the IV that was put into my hand before surgery. I remember questions I was asked by another, older nurse who was not so kind. I remember my doctor coming to say hello to me before surgery. 

I remember being wheeled away for surgery, and that was about it. I don’t remember anything else until I woke up, and then, I was only half awake. 

I remember asking the nurse where my family was. I also remember asking if Jesus loved me. I also asked if I could please go to the land of Israel. 

I laugh now at some of my questions caused by the anesthetic. I vaguely remember being wheeled down halls and into my room. 

I remember my kind doctor coming to see me later that afternoon. I remember her telling me that she had to take the organ I hoped would not be taken. I accepted it just fine when she told me, but later that evening, the tears came. 

I had prayed so hard for a miracle. I had hoped so much to publish a blog post titled: 

A Thanksgiving Miracle

Sadly, no miracle had occurred.  

My heart was sad and heavy like a wilted rose. 

I remember being in and out of sleep that afternoon and evening thanks to the anesthetic. Friends came to see me that evening. 

I remember someone telling me that, if I wanted supper, I should order something from the menu soon because the kitchen closed at 9:00 p.m. 

Supper? I hadn’t even thought of it. My sense of time was completely off. Since supper was offered and encouraged, I remember looking at the menu, and I ordered a bowl of vegetable soup. It was so wonderful, so comforting, and so nourishing. It was the perfect thing to eat after being cut open and going through major surgery. I will always remember that wonderful bowl of soup. 

 

I remember nurses coming in that night to check on me every so often and to give me medicine. 

I remember I was barely able to walk to the bathroom from my bed, but I was encouraged to do so with the help of a nurse. 

I remember my kind doctor waking me up early the next morning before the sun came up. 

“Erin” she said in a gentle whisper. 

“Can I see your incision?” 

After examining me, she said something like: 

“You appear to be healing well. You can go home today after you eat breakfast.” 

I was happy for the good report, but I needed a little more sleep before I could eat breakfast. 

The morning after my surgery,
Wednesday, November 20, 2019. 

I still remember looking at the menu for breakfast that morning, and I laugh now at what I ordered. The anesthesia was still very much in my system. 

I saw blueberries on the menu and decided that I wanted blueberries. That would be healthy. 

I was so happy with my bowl of blueberries that was delivered to my room. I still remember how much I enjoyed those blueberries. 

Then I realized that, if all I ate for breakfast was blueberries, I might be hungry. And so I decided to order hash browns as well. 

I laugh to this day over my breakfast that morning - blueberries and hash browns! What a funny combination for breakfast! Both were delicious though, and the hash browns were very satisfying. 

Who knows what else I might have ordered for breakfast that morning that I don’t remember. Anything is possible because there are parts of that day that are very hazy in my memory. 

I remember asking a young nurse if I could weigh myself before leaving that morning. She was so kind and brought a scale into my room so I could weigh myself. I was thrilled to see numbers I hadn’t seen in years. Losing an almost 15 pound fluid-filled cyst at once was quite amazing!  

The organ I lost (my left ovary) due to that huge cyst was not so amazing. 

I remember that day that I went home. A nurse went over my medication with me on some papers she gave me. I understood her very well, but because of the anesthesia that was still in my body, my sense of things, including time, was very off. 

The following day, Thursday, November 21st, I was back at the hospital because my pain had gotten completely out of control. I was given morphine for the pain that day. I still shudder when I think of that day. 

Friday, November 22nd, I woke up at home with one of the most special dreams I have ever had. My doctor called me later that day with the good news that my cyst was completely benign. I was so thankful. That evening though, I had difficulty eating, and because of that, I couldn’t take my medication on time. Once again, I was back at the hospital during the night where they gave me a different pain medication to get my pain under control. I wondered if an angel might appear to take me home to heaven that night. I felt like I could no longer take any more pain. My incision was worse than a C section, which is usually horizontal. My incision was vertical. 

Saturday, November 23rd dawned beautifully at home, and I finally saw the light of day. I felt like I began regaining strength. I rested well at home that day along with Sunday, November 24th. I praised the Lord that morning in bed. I was so grateful to God. I began to feel like myself again. 

That Sunday evening, a large snow storm was brewing over the mountains west of our home. I was happy to be comfortably resting in my cozy bed at home. 

But that Sunday night, the realization of what I lost hit me so hard. I didn’t only go through major surgery; I lost an organ. I lost hormones that organ produced. 

I curled up and cried for several days while lots of beautiful snow came down that Monday and Tuesday, November 25th and 26th. 

A beautiful Bible was sent to me from a dear friend that week. Another friend sent me flowers. Another friend sent me a variety of tea bags. God blessed me through them.

I remember all of the precious, and beautiful, and wonderful things over that time. I remember God’s presence and love over that time. 

But I also remember the pain and the tears. 

I healed well, and sometime during those 6 weeks, I asked my doctor a very odd question. 

I wanted to know, and so I asked her: 

“What does medical pathology do with my organ after they are done testing it?” 

“Where does it go?” 

I apologized to her if I was asking too many questions, but that organ was a part of me. 

I genuinely wanted to know. What happened to it? Where did it go? 

She was kind and assured me that my question was fine. She shared that my organ was disposed through a medical waste procedure. 

I checked to see how it was medically disposed. I got my answer. It was incinerated. It was burned. 

My organ was literally burned to ashes. 

Words from Isaiah 61:3 came to my mind: 

“… to give unto them beauty for ashes…” 

Beauty for ashes? 

I saw nothing good or beautiful in losing a small organ. To this day, I have had nothing good or beautiful come from losing a God given organ. 

Most who’ve lost a limb or an organ would agree. 

Even greater yet, those who have lost a loved one - a parent, a child, a baby, a sibling, or a spouse - know a greater loss that I have not experienced.

There is nothing greater on earth than human life. 

Beauty for ashes. What does that mean?  

To understand the context of that verse, I had to read that chapter and the surrounding verses. 

The Lord was speaking, through the prophet Isaiah, to His people Israel in those verses. 

God’s people had, sadly, turned away from Him and from His Word. Therefore, God sent them away from their homeland, Israel, to go into exile as punishment. 

But, the Lord spoke through Isaiah of a future day, a future time to come. That chapter begins with: 

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”

Isaiah 61:1-3 

This chapter (and the entire book of Isaiah!) shares so many glorious prophecies given to the nation of Israel - prophecies that have not been completely fulfilled yet! 

Some of this chapter was fulfilled when Christ came to earth the first time, and He literally read, out loud, from this very chapter. But, He stopped reading before He got to certain verses. 

There is more to be fulfilled in the future with Christ’s second coming. 

That includes beauty for ashes. 

For God’s people, the story, your story and mine, never ends with ashes. 

It ends with beauty. 

White, November rose on one of our bushes. 

For God’s people, the best is yet to come. 

“Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.” 

Isaiah 51:11

Baked Oatmeal Recipe

Occasionally, I enjoy sharing some of my favorite recipes here on my blog. This is one of them. 

Baked Oatmeal. I wish I had a picture of the finished product, but I don’t. 

This recipe is delicious! I’ve discovered that almost anything made with oats is something I enjoy! (oatmeal raisin cookies are my favorite!) 

This recipe came from a dear friend. I have wonderful memories of waking up on autumn mornings to the smell of this baked oatmeal wafting through her home. The brown sugar and cinnamon smell drew me into her kitchen. I was delighted to get this recipe from her years later. 

This is a delicious breakfast anytime of the year, but it is especially good on fall or winter mornings. With a cup of hot coffee, this baked oatmeal is incredibly satisfying. Your home will also smell wonderful, cozy, and inviting as it is baking!  

This recipe is one that you make the day before you plan to bake it. In other words, you make it, and then you let it sit overnight in your refrigerator, covered and ready to go. The next morning, simply preheat your oven, pull this out of your fridge, uncover, and bake it.

I love making this on Friday afternoons so that it is all ready to bake on a Saturday morning. It is so enjoyable to wake up on a weekend morning with a delicious breakfast that only needs to be baked. 

To me, nothing is more satisfying on a chilly autumn or winter morning than a delicious breakfast like this one. 

Enjoy! 

Baked Oatmeal 

1 c. oil

1 and 1/2 c. white sugar

4 eggs

2 c. milk

1 tsp. salt

2 Tbs. baking powder

6 c. quick oats

1 c. raisins

1/4 c. brown sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

Beat oil and sugar together. Mix in eggs, milk, salt, baking powder, and oats. Beat well; then stir in raisins. Pour into a lightly greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Sprinkle top with brown sugar and cinnamon. Refrigerate overnight. 

The next morning, uncover and bake at 350 for about 35 minutes or until firm. Serve hot.

Note: 

• This recipe has raisins in it, but if you do not like raisins, you can leave them out.

• There is a nice amount of sugar in this recipe. You can make this with just 1 cup of white sugar. (though the original recipe is quite delicious!) 

• Those who are sugar free, you can try substituting the sugar with another sweetener, although I have not tried this.

• Those who are dairy free, you can use another type of milk in place of regular milk. I have done this, and it works great.

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

There is a common phrase that says: 

“Good things come to those who wait.” 

There is definitely some truth to that. However, as a quote coming from man, that isn’t always true. Sometimes, people wait for things only to be very disappointed. 

Nonetheless, waiting does have some blessings. 

The idea of waiting, waiting on the Lord, is very Biblical. There are many verses in the Bible about that. These are just a few: 

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: 

wait, I say, on the LORD.” 

Psalm 27:14 

~

“Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.” 

Psalm 37:34 

~

“And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” 

Isaiah 25:9

~

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” 

Isaiah 40:31

Waiting is not always an easy thing to do. We like immediate answers, direction, intervention, and results. And there are times when that is needed. God delights to answer the prayers of His people. 

However, there are times when God asks us to wait on Him like the Psalmist and other Bible writers wrote about. 

What does it mean to wait on God? 

I believe it means to trust Him, to follow Him, to depend on Him, to obey Him, and to put our expectation in Him, even when it may be difficult to do so because of difficult circumstances. 

God rewards those who wait on Him. To me, that is what Psalm 37 is all about - waiting on God even when it may be hard. You see the Psalmist write that phrase over and over again in that Psalm. The end result? Those who wait on God, even when it is difficult, are rewarded by God.

I remember a Godly, Christian woman I knew (who passed away from cancer 15 years ago) sharing something once about waiting on God. 

She mentioned that, waiting on God, strengthens someone, like making a strong rope. I confess that I have no idea how strong ropes are made, but I imagine there is an intertwining of threads that happens that makes some ropes very strong. 

Perhaps waiting on God, trusting and following Him, even when we cannot understand what He is doing, causes us to become stronger like a rope? 

Perhaps the threads of our heart become more closely intertwined with God as we wait and depend on Him? 

I’ve never forgotten what that friend shared, over 20 years ago now, in reference to Psalm 27:14: 

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: 

wait, I say, on the LORD.”

Psalm 27:14 

According to this verse, waiting on God does strengthen our heart in Him. 

Perhaps the strengthening comes through God’s fulfillment or reward for waiting on Him? 

This weekend, I read several chapters in the book of Genesis. To be specific, I read Genesis 12-17 about Abraham being called by God to go forth. When God told him to do something, Abraham chose to obey God. And Abraham was abundantly blessed for doing so! After leaving his homeland, Abraham was given some amazing promises from God, covenants with God. 

God promised Abraham land as well as a son - with numerous offspring coming through that son! Abraham and his wife, Sarah, had no children of their own. God promised Abraham a son when he was 75 years old. Abraham believed God. 

After 10 years of waiting on God for that promised son, still, nothing had happened. Abraham was now 85 years old. While waiting on God, Abraham told his wife Sarah about this promised son.

Sarah’s idea? Since nothing was happening, maybe God expected Abraham to do something about it? You know, “make it happen” on his own? 

If you are familiar with this Bible story, you know how the rest of the story goes. Things didn’t go so well. Abraham did have a son of his own, but it was not the son God promised him. Abraham had a son with their handmaiden, Hagar. 

In essence, Abraham listened to his wife Sarah without asking God if that was what God wanted him to do. Like Adam and Eve, this story shows me the profound effect women (especially wives) have on men. 

Sadly, Abraham didn’t wait on God in this part of the story. He took matters into His own hands without checking with God first. 

In God’s appointed time, Abraham had the son God promised him through his wife, Sarah, when they were 90 and 100 years old. They had baby Isaac - what a miracle! God made that happen at the right time, in His time. 

From the time that God promised Abraham that he would have a son, until it actually happened, Abraham waited on God for 25 years. 

Abraham waited a long time to see the fulfillment of a promise from God. 

In reading parts of this story this weekend, I saw several things. 

When God told Abraham to “go forth”, he went. When God tells us to do something, it is important to obey.  

When God asks us to wait on Him, it is important to wait until we get a clear answer from Him, rather than “take matters into our own hands” like Abraham did when he had a son with Hagar. 

God makes things clear when we walk with Him. I see those things clearly in the story of Abraham. 

I also read Isaiah chapter 40 this weekend which talks about waiting on God. 

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” 

Isaiah 40:31

I was reminded, once again, that God strengths our hearts when we wait on Him. Sometimes, we may not even realize that God is strengthening us. 

If our heart is fixed on God, God will strengthen our heart in Him in difficult times. 

I tend to like illustrations that help me visualize things, and recently, God gave me one about waiting on Him that totally amazed me - and in a very personal way. 

Because I am a harpist, I am drawn to harps of all shapes and sizes. I’ve owned many over the years. 

When one of my harps was delivered to me years ago (a harp I no longer have), I noticed something about it right away. The soundboard was a little different than my previous harps. The wood grain in the soundboard was horizontal (side to side) rather than vertical (up and down) like some of my other harps. 

Because I owned several harps, I noticed it, and I really liked it. Most harps are built that way, with the wood grain in the soundboard being horizontal rather than vertical. I was delighted to have a harp built that way without even requesting it. 

Three years ago, when I received my new large harp, a Marini Made, 40 string, Roma Bella Harp, I was thrilled to see that my harp had been built with the wood grain of the soundboard being horizontal rather than vertical! 

Many years ago, the harp maker built his harps with the wood grain going vertical in the soundboard. Sound wise, it makes no difference. But visually, I like the other way better! 

Last year I contacted the harp maker about a possible harp (Regency) in the future. I also asked him about the soundboard and told him, in an email, how much I liked his new way better - the horizontal wood grain in the soundboard. 

He replied by saying that he made all his harps that way now, and in his words, it was “significantly stronger”.

My 40 string Marini Made “Roma Bella” Harp

Last month, while thinking about waiting on the Lord, something hit me in a way I hadn’t thought of before. 

Years ago, when the harp maker first came out with his new Roma Bella design, I wanted to purchase one. But I didn’t back then because I had so many harps already. I didn’t need another harp. This was back around the year of 2007. 

When the time seemed right, I decided to sell my older harps so I could finally purchase this beautiful 40 string Roma Bella harp I wanted. I purchased that harp three years ago in 2021. 

It hit me last month that, if I had purchased my “Bella” harp back when I first wanted to, I would have loved it, but it would not have had the new, stronger soundboard.

It was so worth the wait! 

In this case, the quote I shared above is true: 

Good things come to those who wait. 

Like waiting many years to purchase my “Bella” harp with its now “significantly stronger” soundboard, when we wait on God, He makes our hearts “significantly stronger” in Him.

And when we wait on God, it is a guaranteed promise from Him that good things will come from Him. (Lamentations 3:25) 

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: 

wait, I say, on the LORD.” 

Psalm 27:14

Rejoice, the Lord is King!

A certain hymn was on my mind a lot last week. 

Earlier this month, one of my harp students played a song she had been practicing in one of her harp books: 

“Rejoice, the Lord is King”

My student played this hymn just before the Biblical holiday of Trumpets and again just before the Biblical holiday of Tabernacles. 

My student had no clue that those Biblical holidays have a common theme: 

They are about recognizing God as King! 

Coincidence? Chance? No way. Not a chance. I call things like that “God things”. I was moved to tears when my student played this hymn for me. 

I see this all the time with my harp students. It cannot be chance. I see God’s hand in the lessons I give my students. Often, God ministers to my heart through the songs that my students play. 

“Rejoice, the Lord is King: 

Your Lord and King adore!

Rejoice, give thanks and sing,

And triumph evermore.

Lift up your heart,

Lift up your voice!

Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Jesus, the Savior, reigns,

The God of truth and love;

When He has purged our stains,

He took his seat above;

Lift up your heart,

Lift up your voice!

Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

His kingdom cannot fail,

He rules o'er earth and heav'n;

The keys of death and hell

Are to our Jesus giv'n:

Lift up your heart,

Lift up your voice!

Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Rejoice in glorious hope!

Our Lord and judge shall come

And take His servants up

To their eternal home:

Lift up your heart,

Lift up your voice!

Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!” 

~ Charles Wesley

I love this entire hymn, but verses three and four really minister to my heart right now. 

Last week was the final Biblical holiday in the fall season called Sukkot or the Feast of Tabernacles. 

What is this Biblical holiday all about? 

It is a time when God told His people, Israel, to dwell in booths or small tabernacles. In modern terms, it is basically like living in a tent - for an entire week! 

In essence, God wanted His people to “camp out” for a week! God gave His people instructions about their “booth” or “sukkah” (temporary dwelling) in Leviticus 23:39-43. 

They were to take the branches and boughs of various trees to use in their sukkah. How fun! 

Palm branches are among the trees mentioned in Leviticus 23:40. 

Just like Passover, God told His people Israel to remember this feast forever. (Leviticus 23:41) 

God tells His people why they are to remember this holiday in verse 43 of that same chapter: 

“That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.” 

Leviticus 23:43 

The Feast of Tabernacles must be very special to God for God to tell His people to remember it forever. 

When God led His people through the wilderness, He alone was their Shepherd and King. He provided for them and protected them. 

I can only imagine what the camp of Israel, all 12 tribes, must have looked like with all their tents set up, each in his own tribe, with the glory and presence of God dwelling in their midst through the tabernacle! 

That is what God wants His people to remember every year during the Feast of Tabernacles.

How incredibly special and extremely precious that is! 

God wants to dwell with His people! 

Last week, I was invited for supper at a friend’s home in my local area. They invited me to join them for supper in their sukkah in their backyard. My friend’s 12 year old daughter made a delicious pumpkin soup and her mom served homemade breadsticks to go along. 

After sunset, while sitting around the table inside their sukkah, I looked up at the night sky above me. (the “roof” to their sukkah blew off - ha! ha!) The stars twinkled brightly overhead. 

In that moment, I thought about God’s Presence. I thought about God dwelling with His people.

My time with my friends was sweet!  

I got a text from my friend the next day who said that her daughter told her mom after I left that evening: 

“That was true fellowship.” 

My heart was indeed blessed with fellowship - another beautiful aspect of Sukkot. In person fellowship is a very rare thing for me. I felt blessed that they invited me over for supper. 

We chatted about many things, especially about the current state of our world. Sadly, evil seems to be abounding just as Christ said it would before His return. Good is being called evil. And evil is, sadly, being called good. 

We must stay very close to God and to His Word. That seemed to be the reoccurring theme in our fellowship that evening.  

What does the Feast of Sukkot ultimately represent? 

It is a picture of Christ dwelling with and among His people! It is a picture of when Christ comes back to reign as King over all the earth! 

The Bible says that, someday, all nations will keep the Feast of Tabernacles! What a glorious day that will be! 

“And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.” 

Zechariah 14:16 

The nations that don’t go to Jerusalem to worship the Lord as King to keep the Feast of Tabernacles?

The Bible says that they won’t get any rain!

“And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.” 

Zechariah 14:17 

Wow! I’d say that God takes this one seriously! As another beautiful hymn says, He is: 

“Lord of the nations!” 

The Feast of Tabernacles is also known as the “Feast of the Nations” because someday all nations will recognize that the God of Israel, the God of the Bible, is the one, true God, Creator of heaven and earth! 

Hallelujah!  

The Feast of Tabernacles is also a picture of the marriage supper of the Lamb. Tears come to my eyes when I think of that! All nations are invited to the wedding supper of the Messiah, the Feast of Tabernacles! Will you be there? You have a personal invitation from the King of Kings! 

Christ is truly pictured in each one of the Biblical holidays. They all come from God and they point to Christ and His redemptive plan for His people. 

Over the years, I have had some sincere, well meaning Christians tell me that, yes, Christ is the fulfillment of these holidays, therefore we do not need to keep them. 

Yes, we can enjoy studying them to see Christ in them, they say. But these Biblical holidays were given to Israel to keep, not for Christians to keep. 

I agree with them that Christ is pictured in each one of the Biblical holidays, and I love that! 

However, their other statements don’t work with me because the Word of God is so clear that there is coming a day when all nations will keep the Feast of Tabernacles! Those who do not keep it will not get any rain. (without water, things die!) 

That does not sound like something that is “just for Israel” or “done away with”. 

God desires to dwell in the midst of all nations, for indeed, He is the God of all the earth! I believe this Biblical holiday is very special to God! 

This week long holiday ends with a special day called “Simchat Torah” or “Rejoicing in Torah”. Basically it is a final holiday to rejoice in God’s Word and the gift that it is to us! 

How precious is that? 

Is God’s Word “done away” with? Never! 

Isaiah 40:8 says that the Word of God endures forever. 

Psalm 119:89 says the same thing: 

“For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.”

God’s Word, God’s Torah, endures forever. 

Over the years, I have gained a slight reputation as being into “Jewish things”.

Yes, I do love the Jewish people. The Lord Jesus was one of them. The Lord Jesus is Jewish. 

And yes, I enjoy Hebrew culture because it is the culture of the Bible. 

However, I am not at all interested in Judaism. What is that? 

Judaism is, sadly, blind to Christ as the Messiah. Judaism also takes the Word of God (called the Torah in Hebrew) and adds their own man made laws and rules to it. I want nothing to do with that! 

That is precisely what the Lord Jesus rebuked certain people for doing when He was here on earth! (sadly, I know some Christian groups who do the same thing!) 

The Lord did not rebuke people for obeying His Word. He rebuked them for adding to it. 

We should never add to or take away from God’s Word. It is precious and eternal, and it is a gift! 

I look forward to the day when all nations will recognize that the God of Israel is King over all the earth when this Biblical holiday is celebrated! 

Until that day, in the midst of very unsettling times, I find comfort in the words to another hymn that I love. That hymn says: 

“This is my Father’s world. 

O let me ne’er forget

That though the wrong seems oft so strong,

God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father’s world: 

The battle is not done;

Jesus who died shall be satisfied,

And earth and heav’n be one.”

~ Maltbie Babcock 

Rejoice, my friend, the Lord is King! 

Is Thy Heart Right With God?

Sometimes, I will have a certain hymn on my mind for a long time. In the past year, there has been a certain hymn on my mind a lot, so much so, I’m writing a post with its theme in mind. 

 

After writing a recent post about the Biblical holiday known as the Feast of Trumpets (called Yom Teruah in Hebrew), I began thinking… 

Perhaps there are some reading this blog who are curious about the other Biblical holidays in the fall season? 

If that is you, this post is about the next Biblical holiday in the fall season, the second one. 

Perhaps I should mention that there are three Biblical holidays in the fall season, and all three of them occur in the span of three weeks. On our calendar, these three Biblical holidays always occur during the months of September or October. This year, all three of them are in October.  

The first one is Yom Teruah or the Feast of Trumpets. The second one is Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement. The third one is Sukkot or the Feast of Tabernacles. 

What is the second Biblical holiday in the fall season all about? 

Atonement. To be specific, it is a day of atonement for the nation of Israel. 

As Christians, we know that our atonement is in the shed blood of Christ, the Son of God. Christ’s blood provides complete and final atonement for all of mankind. 

Sadly, the Jewish people (the house of Judah) do not recognize Christ as the Messiah. They are blind to Him. There is coming a day when the Jewish people will recognize Christ as being the Messiah. Hallelujah for that day! Want to take a guess when that might happen? 

It will happen some year on Yom Kippur, the day of atonement! Pretty incredible, isn’t it?! 

When you study this Biblical holiday, the connection is so clear. Someday, the nation of Israel will repent before God on a national level. 

The Jewish people will mourn over Him whom they have pierced the Bible says. 

“And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.” 

Zechariah 12:10 

Sobering words these are. They will weep bitterly, perhaps over their blindness to Him?

How do Jewish people observe this holy day, this Biblical holiday, commanded by God? 

They spend the day in fasting and repentance. They also read Scripture about this day, not realizing the entire day points to Christ as our High Priest and to His final atonement for us. What a glorious day it will be when their eyes are opened to Christ!

On Yom Kippur, observant Jews repent for their sin. Repentance is a very beautiful thing to God. 

Sadly though, the Jewish people have no blood atonement they trust in right now. 

God’s Word makes it clear that without the shedding of blood, there is no atonement or remission. (of sin)

“And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”

Hebrews 9:22

As Christians, we know that when we repent of our sin, we have the blood of Christ to trust in as our atonement. Hallelujah for the blood! 

In thinking about this Biblical holiday, about repentance and atonement, I thought about Christ’s sacrifice for us. 

Christians trust in the blood of Christ as their atonement - a very beautiful thing to God. 

God’s Word says that, in order to receive the blood atonement of Christ, we must repent of our sin. 

Sadly, there are many “Christians” who have not repented of their sin. Because of that, they are not born again; God’s Spirit does not live in them. 

Sadly, there are “Christians” trusting in Christ’s blood atonement without any repentance of sin. 

Jesus said:

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, 

ye shall all likewise perish.” 

Luke 13:5 

Repentance is very important to God. When we repent, we receive God’s free gift of salvation through the blood of His Son. 

The Bible says that it is God’s goodness that leads us to repentance. (Romans 2:4) 

I’m not talking about repentance for breaking man made rules or for breaking the traditions of man. (we should run from man made things!) 

I’m talking about repentance for breaking our heavenly Father’s heart, for breaking God’s good and loving commandments, for not loving God and others as we should. 

I’m talking about repentance over a broken relationship with our Heavenly Father. 

Can you imagine what it would be like if the entire United States shut down for just one day to repent before God for breaking His commandments? 

We would have a completely different nation. 

True repentance is so beautiful to God. And it is not a once and done thing. I realized that on the day that I gave my life to God at the age of 11. 

When we walk with God, we continue to repent of things that are not right with God.

Repentance. This is the one thing that is missing in Christianity today. Sadly, there is a false Christianity that involves no repentance of sin. 

Repentance is getting your heart right with God. I cannot think of anything more beautiful! 

When we repent, we receive God’s atonement - the shed blood of His Son. 

The hymn that has been on my mind so much this past year says it so well. 

Is Thy Heart Right With God 

Have thy affections been nailed to the cross?

Is thy heart right with God?

Dost thou count all things for Jesus but loss?

Is thy heart right with God?

Hast thou dominion o’er self and o’er sin?

Is thy heart right with God?

Over all evil without and within?

Is thy heart right with God?

Is there no more condemnation for sin?

Is thy heart right with God?

Does Jesus rule in the temple within?

Is thy heart right with God?

Are all thy powers under Jesus’ control?

Is thy heart right with God?

Does He each moment abide in thy soul?

Is thy heart right with God?

Art thou now walking in heaven's pure light?

Is thy heart right with God?

Is thy soul wearing a garment of white?

Is thy heart right with God?

Refrain:

Is thy heart right with God,

Washed in the crimson flood,

Cleansed and made holy, humble and lowly,

Right in the sight of God?

~ Elisha Hoffman