What Do You See?

                                     Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
                                     Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of
                                     analmond tree. Then said the LORD unto me, Thou
                                     hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.

                                     And the word of the LORD came unto me the second

                                     time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething 

                                     pot; and the face thereof is toward the north. Then the LORD

                                     said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall breakforth upon

                                     all the inhabitants of the land. 

                                                                                             (Jer 1:11-14)

 

Treasures are not found on main street. The books of the prophets are rich treasures for us to explore, but many have never ventured here. Their pages are for more than quotes for the New Testament writers, but are for our learning as well. Exploring these books we find the Biblical equivalent of fine art to display on the screen of our imagination. The Picasso’s and Rembrandt’s are nothing compared with these original masterpieces by God. Each one can be redisplayed for our personal viewing pleasure. Spend some time thinking on these scriptures, and hearing what God said about them. These have been given to us as an example.

In the opening pages of the Book of Jeremiah we find God's discipleship about visions. The still small voice of God came to Jeremiah, but now God showed him something as well. He is having a discussion with Jeremiah about seeing visions and telling him what they mean. We are privy to this personal lesson, as God walks him through a show and tell on interpritation.

First God shows him a still image; we might call it the internal equivalent of a photograph. God displayed this snapshot to Jeremiah and asks, “What do you see?” “The rod of an Almond Tree”. God then explains what He has shown to him, and what it means. Not being a native speaker, we miss the point. The Hebrew words for almond and hasten rhyme. The word for “almond” being pronounced shaw-kade', and the word for “hasten” being said as  shaw-kad'.

The next image is an active image; what we might call the internal equivalent of a video. God asks, “What do you see?” Jeremiah says, “I see a boiling pot, and it is facing the north.” Then God spends the next six verses speaking what this vision means and telling Jeremiah what to do.

This is Gods training program, and it is like no other. The Lord Himself will teach you if you allow Him. How many times did the disciples come to Jesus after a teaching to ask "What were you talking about?" There are other places in the Prophets that can be explored for the same “What do you see?” lessons: Amos 7:8 & 8:2, Zec 4:2 & 5:2.  Do not be amazed if God shows you something, then asks, “What do you see?” Or if He shows you something in a vision that rhymes. Or even if you have to get back to Him and ask, "What did I see?"

                                    Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil

                                    shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.

                                    For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of

                                    the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they

                                    shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates

                                    of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereofabout, and

                                    against all the cities of Judah. 

                                    And I will utter my judgments against them touching all

                                    their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned

                                    incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their

                                    own hands.

                                    Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and

                                    speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed

                                    at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.

                                    For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city,

                                    and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land,

                                    against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof,

                                    against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land.

                                    And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail

                                    against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.

                                                                                                      (Jer 1:14-19)