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thistles and thorns

H

Helen

<img src =/Helen2.gif>
This post is just an observation about something God did that I didn't really think about until recently, but maybe it's worth sharing...

We have a hedge of blackberries along the back border of our property (hey, this is OREGON!) and they need yearly trimming to keep them under control. Blackberries are famous for having LONG vines and horrid thorns. Trimming them can be an exercise in self-mutilation if you are not careful!

But I have learned that leather gloves are ideal. I can grasp the thorny old things with impunity and cut where I will!

So I've been doing that, and, as normal, thinking all kinds of things while I work. And one of the things I thought of was that it was leather -- the hide of an animal -- which was the best protection.

And then I remembered that the ground was cursed and that thorns and thistles would grow as a result of sin.

And THEN I remembered that when Adam and Eve found themselves naked, God made garments of skin for them. That means, as we know, an animal was killed to cover the effects of sin.

Are you ahead of me yet?

The hide of an animal is leather.

And it is leather that is the best protection from the thorns and thistles.

God gave us protection even from some of the pain of the effects of the curse right from the beginning.

I, personally, can't help but appreciate that.
 
A

av1611jim

New Member
Oh, yes. I was WAY ahead of you.
Nice thought.
Here's something to add to it.
It was animal skins which covered their nakedness. Knowledge of nakedness was the results of sin. We need "something" tough and resilient to cover the effects of our sin. Animal hide works wonders, but so does the hide of Our Saviour. He was bruised for our iniquitiesand by His stripes we are healed.
For you all know that that first animal sacrifice was a picture of Our Lord Jesus, don't you? He protects us from the thorns and thistles of sin.

But lest we take this too far, remember..."Yea and all who will live godly in Christ Jesus SHALL suffer persecution." And persecution comes because of sin. Not ours, but by another sinner. So one needs the tough "hide" of the Saviour in that case also.
 
H

Helen

<img src =/Helen2.gif>
Good points, Jim. I have long been of the opinion that there is probably nothing in the physical world that God has not designed to show us something about a spiritual truth....if we are willing to be taught....
 
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av1611jim

New Member
One may also see the grace of God in the thorns and thistles.
Where I live we have Canada thistles. They grow to be about 6-8 feet high. But they have the most beautiful purple tufts of flowers at the very top. Sometimes they branch and then you get several gorgeous flowers atop this massive thistle!

Your blackberries are very thorny but they also have very sweet, delicious fruit. What is it the Holy Spirit gives us? Fruit. Love, joy, peace...By His grace.

The rose; . And Who is the Rose of Sharon? And WHAT was His crown on the cross? Thorns. He also paid for the curse when they hung Him there. By His grace. 'nuff said on that one.

We have this THING known as a puncture vine here in Idaho. Some have called it a 'goathead'. If you have ever walked barefoot into a patch of puncture vine, you know why it is called a goathead. Man! them things are of the devil! And as kids we hated them because they always wrecked your bicycle tires. But...they also have a very pretty flower.

God's grace adorns the curse.
 
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