coccus ilicis
If you have some time to invest in your heart...when reading the Word:
Ask questions in prayer, open your heart to His, look and wait for the inevitable...
It may be hard to imagine but during a few minutes looking at the snow (yes snow on Oct. 29th),
and thinking about an obvious passage of scripture...
Isaiah 1:18" Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord:Though your sins be as scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool".
"Come now (walk with me) ... let us reason" called to my heart.
I jumped onto the Net and was led to a fascinating study of the "Crimson Worm"...
(tola'at shani - crimson worm)
This led to sooo many treasures of the Heart that I actually was led to weep over the nation of Israel. (What?)
NUT SHELL OUTLINE:
1. There is a worm that climbs a particular OAK (in the Mediterranean Region) by itself. (Destiny)
2. It attaches itself to the tree.
3. Its purpose is to die.
4. In the process of its death, it births offspring.
5. While the Worm dies it secretes a crimson-ish/ scarlet colored fluid which fully covers its dying body and its offspring.
6. After 3 days, it will curl its head to its tail in a manner that will almost form the shape of a heart as the offspring are released.
7. Then the little pea sized sack will turn to a waxy white.
8. The timing of the removal of the Crimson Worm (by humans) - will either produce the key ingredient for a "Temple" dye or a wax that will be used in an shellac that has amazing preservative qualities.
Think about the Gospel and let the little outline sink in. If your imagination will allow you to see how God uses such seeming insignificant details of a worm to tell about His glory, you will once again stand amazed of the way all creation points to His Story.
But here comes my heartbreak!
Google the above words and read what was going on in July at "The Temple Institute" ... and read.
Such in depth study, organization, timing and care...to do what???? With great devotion be able to
accurately recreate the "stain" needed in the Holy Temple garments and items of Hebrew Worship.
I ache because the "Worm" shouts JESUS...but in the devotion to Biblical Tradition we miss
THE WORM ON THE TREE to harvest the worm on the tree. Though their eyes are wide open, their
searching so devotional, they could be so blind to the deeper truth to the Worm on the Tree.
Read Psalm 22 at this time if you can...pause at verse 6:
But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
In your devotion to the things of the day...don't miss loving and being loved by Jesus.
Shalom,
HLFA,
Jeff
