Value of the Bible
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The value of the Word of God

Below is a description of Jerusalem.  It had been under seige from the enemy for about 2 years.  During this time, desperate times were been had, as food was scarce, and the children of Israel were being punished for their disobedience.  Amongst these descriptions is a reminder of the importance of prioritising feeding our children with the Word of God.  There are some great analogies here.

Lamentations 4: 1-?

1. Picture of gold and precious stones vs. a common clay pot.

gold vs  clay pot

How the gold has lost its luster!  Even the finest gold has become dull.  The sacred gemstones lie scattered in the streets!  See how the precious children of Jerusalem, worth their weight in fine gold, are now treated like pots of clay made by a common potter. (v1-2)

Although children in general are highly regarded today, with many parents being very child-centered in their parenting approach, bending to every whim and cry…. I think this picture in regard to their value is a powerful one.  They are not just mere clay pots, but rather precious and valued in God’s sight.  Being made in the image of God, is where there intrinsic value comes from and because our children, are God’s children, they deserve to be trained with the powerful and precious Word of God.

2. Ostriches in the desert

Ostrich - Word of God

Even the jackals feed their young, but not my people Israel.  They ignore their children’s cries, like ostriches in the desert.  The parched tongues of their little ones stick to the roofs of their mouths in thirst.  The children cry for bread, but no one has any to give them.  The people who once ate the richest foods now beg in the streets for anything they can get.  Those who once wore the finest clothes now search the garbage dumps for food. (v3-5)

What an awful picture!  This statement… they cry for bread, but no one has any to give them…. If we liken the bread to being the Word of God. What a statement!  May we not be teachers or parents, that have children crying for the Word of God, yet not having any of the Word of God in us to give them.  This world advertises so much, but it is only the Word of God that truly satisfies…

3.  Health glowing as white as snow vs. faces as black as soot

Sooty Face - Word of God

The guilt of my people is greater than that of Sodom, where utter disaster struck in a moment and no hand offered help.  Our princes once glowed with health— brighter than snow, whiter than milk.  Their faces were as ruddy as rubies, their appearance like fine jewels.  But now their faces are blacker than soot.  No one recognizes them in the streets.  Their skin sticks to their bones;  it is as dry and hard as wood.

As we train up a generation to know and follow God, we will see them shining bright as examples to this world, and not obscured by the influences of the world around them.

Food for thought…

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