But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. —Malachi 4: 2, NIV
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“Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” —1 Samuel 1: 15 & 16, NIV Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. —Revelation 3:20, NIV At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail. Its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump die in the soil, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant. —Job 14:7-9, NIV There were no true Jews living in Jerusalem at the time. For those who were lucky to die, what ran to their shallow graves was their own decadence. For those unlucky enough to run to be forced to say under their masters' tutelage, they were either forced to marry and work and live their lives in the heart of Babylon. Their deepest songs of praise were fodder for the drunken whips. Their simple vestments attracted scorn and shame to themselves. Were they too poor to follow their heart? Were they too unworthy to return to their homeland?
Not that everyone was poor, though. Some were well-off and actually held important positions of power in the empire. Some were scientists. Some were advisers. Even some were lodged as concubines in the king's own harem! They had fruitful vines and shallow suns, enough to become kings and queens back in Judah. But for a moment, they forgot about Ephraim and Manasseh; about the parting seas and rocky waters, about the sun of battle and the quest for justice. For some, life was is they never left at all. Their kids knew Hebrew and Greek and Persian. They could make their little tabernacles and wave their own sacrifices on the holy days. They were still circumcised, although some wanted their foreskins back in order to mingle with the locals. Stories about Jerusalem were a far and distant fantasy as Gilgamesh and Troy. Being who they were was a heritage, but it was time to change. That is, until Cyrus allowed them to return. For those who survived captivity, this was a dream come true. For others who never wanted to leave their comfort, returning was never in their plans! But for those who have lived among the pagans, their lives needed to be expunged. As they marched to Jerusalem, the one-barren ground began to flourish again. The plows were sharpened, and the livestock began to regain its strength. What became of their Temple, their pride and glory, was reduced to rubble. They had to rebuild it as soon as they can. And what was left of the tree stump that awaited for them? Well, a small flower started to bloom in its heart... Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. —1 Peter 1:8 & 9, ESV Como si fuera la última canción. Como si fuera el útimo momento de pasión. como si fuera la última razón de vida de ellos dos. Entró el novio en calor. Desde entonces, un brillo emanó desde ambas cabezs. Desde sus venas, una coriente dorada restaur'su cuerpo. Todo el veneno se levantó y desinegró. Tembló el mar. Tembló la Tierra. Tembló el infierno y la Tierrra. Temblaron lágrimas sobre sus mejillas. Hubo un beso. Hubo un Te Amo de verdad. Con el desenlace, la novia bajó su cabeza para secar sus lágrimas. Más que un suspiro y una tocida, el novio recibió un nuevo hálito de vida. La novia recibió a su amado en su seno, y dio un lento sollozo suspirado de agradecimiento al Divino. Se sentía felíz, cómoda, contenta, realizada. Pero los cuerpos de ambos entraron en calor. Y nació un abrazo. Y la segunda prueba terminó. En la noche, el robusto novio y la joven novia marchaban hacia Belén. Una nube de fuego los cubría, y aquella mula rendía lo mejor de su ímpetu para llegar a Belén. En el viente de la novia, el niño anheló salir del mundo. Un niño de fuerza, un niño de promesa, y un niño de gloria. —¿Cómo quisieras llamar al niño? —Si fuera por mí—respondió el novio—, lo hubiese llamado... ¡José! ¡Por su puesto! —Pero, ¡qué nombre tan creativo! ¡Tú puedes hacer más que eso! —respondió mientras forzaba su indignación. —Está bien...Está bien. Tomaré tu segunda opinión. Yo le pondría un nombre como... ¡Zacarías! —¿Zacarías? Pero tu primo no se llama así? —¿Cuál es el nombre de—? —Juan. Su hijo se llama Juan. —Oh, el mismo. Me acuerdo del chisme cuando... —Pero, no estabas metido en eso... —No, no, no; no te equivoques, yo estaba haciendo una mesa para Poncio Pilato. Si fuera por mí, estaría tentado a pensar cosas malas para las personas que hablaron mal de su hijo. —O rabino. —O nazareno. —Pero, ¿por qué discutimos eso? Ambos empezaorn a reírse, como si fueran dementes. La mula alzó su cabeza y miró afanosamente, observado cómo sus amos se disfrutan la vida de un niño que no ha nacido— es más, la vida de un cordero inmolado. La risa parecía ser la única medicina del momento. Podían reírse, podían gozarse, pero el entretenimiento mayor era disfrutar la compañía de uno al otro. Como Adán y Eva en su tiempo, su amor volvió a ser uno puro e inocente. Pero ese amor, claro que estaría puesto a prueba dentro de no muchos días. Pasado el tiempo, los novios y su retono esconido, caminaron hacia tierra de Judá. De Belén nació David. De las estepas de la vaga y árida tierra nació el remanente decimado de las rodillas que no se doblegaron a Baal. no era una ciudad cosmopólita como Nazaret, pero hacía su mejor esfuerzo para estar cómoda frente a estar cómod ay decente para todos que anhelaran visitar. Hicieron parada en Jerusalén. Amurallado, de cincuenta a cincuenta. Llena, ataconada de mercaderes. Con el templo lleno de ofrendas sustraídas por un precio. Los novios vieron todo de lejos. Y se dijeron entre sí, “¿Viviremos aquí?” Continuará...
His splendor covered the heavens,and the earth was full of his praise. His brightness was like the light; rays flashed from his hand; and there he veiled his power. —Habakkuk 3:3b & 4, NIV You keep him in perfect peace —Isaiah 26:3, ESV “It’s all right,” he said. “Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver.” Then he brought Simeon out to them. —Genesis 43:23, NIV So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.—Genesis 41:41, NIV |
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