willows

September 6, 2016

The blessing of Israel (Isa 44:3-44:4)

“I will pour water

On the thirsty land.

I will pour streams

On the dry ground.

I will pour my Spirit

Upon your descendants.

My blessing will be

On your offspring.

They shall spring up

Like a green tamarisk,

Like willows by flowing streams.”

Yahweh continues in the first person singular to bless Israel. He was going to pour water on the thirsty land with streams of water on the dry ground so that it would be fruitful. He was going to pour out his Spirit on the descendents of Israel. His blessing would be on all the offspring of Israel. They would spring up like green tamarisk bushes or like willows along a flowing stream. There was nothing but good things ahead for the Israelites because of Yahweh’s blessing.

August 3, 2015

The life of the Behemoth (Job 40:19-40:24)

“It is the first of the great acts of God.

Only its Maker can approach it with the sword.

The mountains yield food for it.

It is there where all the wild beasts play.

Under the lotus plants it lies.

It lies in the covert of the reeds and in the marsh.

The lotus trees cover it for shade.

The willows of the brook surround it.

Even if the river is turbulent

It is not frightened.

It is confident though Jordan rushes against its mouth.

Can one take it with hooks?

Can one pierce its nose with a snare?”

Clearly this monster has limits since it was the work of God. Only God the maker can kill it. It lives in the mountains where all the wild beasts play. It lies under a lotus tree for shade in the reeds, willows, and marshes. Even when the Jordan River is turbulent, it is not worried. No one can catch it with hooks or snares. This sure sounds like a large hippo! It is not clear if there is more than one of these large beasts.