Pastor Jack explores the intriguing verses about the infamous Nephilim
mentioned in Scripture. Who were these mysterious giants?
Where did they come from and where did they go?
OLD IRONSIDES
(Written with reference to the proposed breaking up of the famous
U.S. frigate Constitution)
Ay, Tear her tattered ensign down!
Long has it waved on high,
And many an eye danced to see
That banner in the sky;
Beneath it rung the battle-shout,
And burst the cannon's roar;
The meteor of the ocean air
Shall sweep the clouds no more!
Her deck, once red with heroes' blood,
Where knelt the vanquished foe,
When winds were hurrying o'er the flood
And waves were white below,
No more shall fell the victor's tread,
Or know the conquered knee:
The harpies of the shore shall pluck
The eagle of the sea!
O better that her shattered hulk
Should sink beneath the wave!
Her thunders shook the mighty deep,
And there should be her grave:
Nail to the mast her holy flag,
Set every threadbare sail,
And give her to the god of storms,
The lightning and the gale!
"Old Ironsides"
(1830)
Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
(1809-1894)
American writer and poet
THE STORY BEHIND THE POEM
Gracious host Diane "MeMe" Leary shares her recipe for simple
no-bake "berry" delicious Strawberry Cream Cheese Icebox Cake!
And everybody remember, Shine for Jesus!
"For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned
unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."
(1 Peter 2:25)
THE SHEPHERD OF SOULS
It is needless to trace this metaphor through the Old Testament, where it is employed to
express the relation of Jehovah to Israel. The most familiar of all the psalms shows us
a single devout soul appropriating the whole rest and blessedness of thought for
the nourishment of the individual life of trust.
"The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want."
(Psalm 23:1)
The Shepherd leads. And under that thought is included all the shaping
of outward life, for Christ is the Lord of providence, and the hands that
were pierced for us hold the helm of the universe.
And therefore we must think of His guidance as mainly leading our souls
in the paths of righteousness, and "showing us that which is good."
The touch of His hand on our wills, the sweet constraint of His love,
the wisdom which directs breathed into the soul which lives in fellowship
with Him, has silenced the loud voice of self, that His voice may be heard.
He says, "Come, follow Me" and His sheep walk not in darkness,
but have the light of life.
CHRIST THE BISHOP OF OUR SOULS
Undoubtedly, the allusion here is to the bishop or elder of the early Church.
The marginal rendering of the Revised "overseer" is perhaps better than
"bishop". The connection between "shepherd" and church "overseer"
can clearly be seen in the apostle Paul's address to the elders at Ephesus:
"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the
Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which
He hath purchased with His own blood."
(Acts 20:28)
The original meaning of the word, "overseer" suggests the vigilant inspection
which Christ exercises over His Church. The Good Shepherd knows each sheep
by name and His watchful eye is on every one of His flock.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts!
See if there is any offensive way in me, lead me in the way everlasting."
(Psalm 139:23-24)
Reference Material for
"The Shepherd and Bishop of Souls"
A. Maclaren/Bible Hub
"O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You.
My body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water."
(Psalm 63:1)
"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness
and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. For what may
be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities, His eternal power
and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from
His workmanship, so that men are without excuse."
(Romans 1:18-20)
Les continues his walk through the Bible, teaching us how
to connect the dots within the Holy Scriptures.
Gracious host Arlene Williams demonstrates 12 common
cooking terms just in time for your next dinner!
