Timothy J. Pruitt's Blog, page 116
March 7, 2022
The Southern Border Of Judah
Joshua 15:21-25 (NKJV)
21 The cities at the limits of the tribe of the children of Judah, toward the border of Edom in the South, were Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur,
22 Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah,
23 Kedesh, Hazor, Ithnan,
24 Ziph, Telem, Bealoth,
25 Hazor, Hadattah, Kerioth, Hezron (which is Hazor),
Joshua 15:21-25 takes us on a tour of Judah’s southern border. Bible readers understand that in The Bible, every name has a meaning. It would take a few minutes to go into detail on what each city’s name means. However I would like to share with you both the meaning their names, and what I believe it is a type and shadow of.
There is so much in each name, some are puzzling, such as verse 25. Commentators explain that this verse refers only to two cities, a place called Hazor-Hadattah or New Hazor, and Hezron. Another place puzzled me at first, Bealoth, which means mistresses.
Yet when you put it together with the others, the meaning flows. These aren’t just places, they are types and shadows of our walk as a Christian. Everything in The Bible, Old or New Testament, points to The Lord Jesus, and our relationship with Him.
First it must be said that Judah in the south bordered Edom. The descendants of Esau yes, but specifically the reference is to the name Edom, meaning red. Our border begins and ends with The Blood of The True Firstborn, The Lord Jesus. We would not have been able to be born again, had He not been born to die for our sins.
Far greater men than I have explained that Judah means praise. When you see The Blood though, how can any not praise a God of love Who gave all, so that we could have everything? First, here is a listing of the city’s names, their definitions, and after that, what I believe the meaning is to us.
Kabzeel – God Has Gathered
Eder – A Flock
Jagur – He Sojourns
Kinah – Lamentation
Dimonah River Bed Or Silence
Adadah – Festival Or Boundary
Kedesh – Holy Place
Hazor – Castle
Ithnan – Hire (Root word is for Sea Monster or Dragon)
Ziph – Battlement
Telem – Oppression
Bealoth- Mistresses
Hazor-Hadattah- Castle New Hazor
Hezron- Surrounded By A Wall
God has gathered a flock, He sojourns with us. Whether you face a river bed of blessings, or silent tears, He is our Comforter and our rejoicing. Christ is the cause and source of our celebration, God alone our only boundary. With Him we can go as far as the sky, and will one day.
For now, He brings us into The Holy Place. A castle of defense, David a son of Judah said, “The Name Of The Lord is a Strong Tower, the Righteous run into it and are safe.”
God has paid the price for all of us, slaying the sin that stood against us. Though the battle was fierce, and we faced oppression. The enemy even tried to lure us away, but God kept us.
He brought us into His stronghold, where He make all things new. We are surrounded by a wall of mercy and grace. Jesus is a fence around each and every one of us!
When you begin to tour where The Lord has brought us from, walking through where He has brought us to; and rejoicing about where He’s taking us, life takes on new meaning. It’s far more than time and experience, we can remember the heat of the battle. We can relive that moment when we thought we were about to be destroyed, and The Lord said No!
All of this reminds me of an old song Brother Louis Harrah wrote, “… when I look back down the road where I laid my heavy load, and I think of all the victories I’ve won, sometimes I get a thrill when I look back down the hill, and I see just where the Lord has brought me from.”
If you’re facing a battle today, I would encourage you to remember your southern border. Recall where you’ve been brought from, and how you got to here. When you get finished touring the cities, you may find your new battle has moved. It may go from a place of struggle, to a new city on the map of your testimony!
March 5, 2022
The Badger And The Snail – A Children’s Story
Horacio saw everything in life as a big adventure, which isn’t hard when you are a tiny snail who lives on in a little wooden house on the inside of a windowsill. Because of this though, every day became special. His Papa Edgar was special, even though he wasn’t a snail.
Edgar was a Badger that found Horacio on his rose bush after the wind had carried him there in a storm. As soon as he saw him, Edgar took care of the little snail, and raised him as his own. Every morning, Edgar would take Horacio his breakfast, usually some form of carrot, to eat.
Both Edgar and Horacio loved carrots. It didn’t matter whether it was carrot soup, carrot pancakes, carrot soufflé, though that was usually for special occasions. Edgar made it for Horacio’s birthday, Easter, and Christmas.
Every day to Horacio was wonderful, but Saturdays were extra special. This was the day that Edgar and Horacio went to town. Edgar would wear his special hat, the one that had a little room for Horacio, with it’s on window.
The first place they went was to the library. Edgar loved books, he had taught Horacio how to read. Though the library’s books were normally too big for Horacio, Mrs. Mouse would let him borrow one of her little one’s books. It was as big as Horacio, but much smaller than the others.
Edgar would prop it up outside Horacio’s house on the windowsill at home so he could read and turn the pages when they got home. After the library, they thanked Mrs. Mouse for the books, and went to the toy store. Most of the toys were too big for Horacio, but Mr. Otter always carved a little toy or two for Horacio to pick from that was his size. Mr. Otter had to use a magnifying glass to do it, but he became very good at it.
Next, the two would go to Edgar’s favorite stop, the museum. They would see all sorts of things, paintings, statues, suits of armor from the Great Rabbit War, and little teeny ant armor from the Fire Ant Conflict of the last century. That night Edgar would tell Horacio a different bedtime story about one of the things they saw there.
Both Edgar and Horacio loved stories. They loved learning, it was one of the gifts that Horacio inherited from his Dad. That and most importantly, a kind heart for all. Edgar would often say that “Love is the one thing you can give away, and only have more of when you’ve given it.”
After the museum Edgar and Horacio would stop by Warbler Market, and place their grocery order. While waiting for it to be filled, they would walk over to the diner for dinner. Edgar would have carrot soup, and Horacio would have carrot fries. While eating they would laugh and talk about all the funny things Willy and Winny Warbler said at the market.
At some point Horacio would always say “I Love You Dad, thanks for bringing me.” Edgar would always smile and say, “I Love You Son, thank you for being mine.” They’d share the big event of the day, a piece of Chocolate Tart, and head back to the store.
Edgar would pull the groceries home in a little wooden wagon, and they’d spend the rest of the night laughing and playing chess. At bedtime, Edgar would tell Horacio a story from long ago, and it would not be long before Horacio was sound asleep. He would hear the end of it tomorrow, and start a whole new adventure.
March 4, 2022
Art Unboxed – Banking Your Painting
The above watercolor may have been the last one I did that day. In many ways it was the best of the day. This little scene was random, not based on any specific scene, and a resort of banking ideas.
In my book, Writing In Real Time, A Guide For Writers With Busy Lives, I talk about banking ideas. Whether in art or in writing, it’s a valuable concept. While the watercolor above is simple, it’s not a first. I’ve painted a version of the scene more than once.
The idea of a painting of a statue is intriguing. Because it intrigued me, it’s a subject I’ve returned to. Because I’ve returned to it, practicing it, each version is somewhat better. It’s not a product of itself alone, but of those who came before. It also gives me a subject for my “I want to paint but am low on new ideas” list.
New ideas are important, they provide both inspiration, and insulate us against ruts and rusts as an artist. Painters should, on a far less important level, practice the same idea that Jesus wrote of in Scripture. He said that a Scribe in The Kingdom Of God brings out treasures both new and old.
Antiques have a petina, a surface affected by age, time, and experience. The same is true of ideas. Good new ideas are wonderful, aged good ideas can become great. Even thoughts which may have been lackluster in the beginning, can become great as they are improved upon over time.
We know that many great artists painted multiple versions of their paintings, even though one version may be the famous one. Sometimes more than one version becomes famous, Monet’s haystacks come to mind. Most likely, Monet learned something about painting haystacks that enhanced his other subjects also.
What ideas, subjects, or themes do you find yourself returning to? If you don’t have any here are some steps, Although chances are you do, and may just have not viewed them this way. First, write down three subjects that you like. Second, look for objects, ideas, and concepts within those larger ideas. Lastly, think of different times of day or night, and seasons you can paint those objects in.
You’ll be surprised the interest you’ll gain from making regular investments in your idea bank. One idea can go around the world and back. At the very least, it will allow you to practice a hobby you enjoy greatly, which is a wonderful use of an idea.
March 3, 2022
March 2, 2022
March 1, 2022
iPainting Happy Birthday Yellowstone
Happy 150th Birthday to Yellowstone National Park!!!!
February 28, 2022
Soft With Showers
Psalms 65:10 (ESV)
10 You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth.
This past week, we gathered to celebrate together at the IAF Conference. The letters standing for the International Apostolic Fellowship, and it was truly a celebration. I mention that because of the verse above, which according to commentators, refers to the heart of man, specifically the making it soft with showers.
God can take not only cleanse the blackest heart, He can and has softened the hardest ones. No one is too far from God for Him to reach. No one has been so mired by sin that God cannot cleanse and heal. The Lord doesn’t only save us from our past, He heals us to enjoy our present, and makes bright our future.
I can’t mention this without thinking of the great Apostle Paul. It was on the Damascus road that God stopped a man so full of hate, and poured in His love. It was with a blinding Light, He gave Paul the ability to see. So if you feel you messed up too badly, consider the man who called himself the chief of sinners.
While I’m sure we all would disagree with him on that, because I know where God brought me from, the point resounds. God has changed, and is changing us. Softening the hard edges, not with anger or judgement, but with goodness and mercy.
The Lord doesn’t only repair and restore, or even just make better, He softens with showers. In other words, He doesn’t only fill up the river, He continually replenishes it, or as David wrote in another place, by the still waters He restores my soul.
Are you having a hard day? Whether you’re not a believer, or one that is struggling, let me encourage you today. Come to the water, allow Him to pour into you, and to heal, restore, overflow, and soften with showers your life today.
