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The Tower of the Flock, Part 4 – Mary’s story
Mary’s story Luke 2:7 I cradled my precious baby, the Son of God. Soft, sweet cheeks, perfect little mouth, wispy dark curls. His belly full, he slept like a lamb. Shortly after Joseph brought me to this stable in the base of the watchtower, his aunt Shlomit bustled in. Poking her finger into his chest, she clucked her tongue. Her chin waggled as she upbraided him. “A stable? You brought your wife to a stable to give birth? I couldn’t believe my old eyes when I saw you leading her out here to a. . . This is where animals sleep.” And yet it was cleaner, quieter, and smelled better…
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My Redeemer Lives
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— Galatians 3:13 We’ve explored the name of Jesus as Savior. What depth of meaning does Redeemer add? A drowning man needs a savior, one who will pluck him out of the ocean waves. But a drowning man who’s shackled to a boulder needs someone to break his bonds. If you’re wearing cement shoes of sin, you’ll sleep with the fishes. Bless the LORD, my soul, And do not forget any of his benefits; Who pardons all your guilt, Who heals all your diseases; Who…
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The Tower of the Flock, Part 3 – Uncle Asa’s Story
Uncle Asa’s story Micah 4:8 My nephew’s upper lip disappeared under his lower one in a determined pout. What had gotten into him? Eliezer returned from Migdal Eder with a sullen Tobiah in tow just after sunset. Sighing with satisfaction or possibly relief, Eliezer plopped down next to me by the fire. He stretched out his long legs and leaned back on his elbows. But Tobiah slunk off to the shadows and sat with his cloak wrapped completely around him. He looked like a tent with the flap pulled shut. Keeping my tone light as I stirred the stew that simmered over the fire, I welcomed Eliezer back to our…
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Redeemer
Yet as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last, He will take his stand on the earth. Even after my skin is destroyed, Yet from my flesh I will see God, Whom I, on my part, shall behold for myself, And whom my eyes will see, and not another. – Job 19:25-27 Job, who lived before Moses, knew of the Redeemer. In Genesis 3, Moses recorded the first details of our redemption generations after Job declared his certain hope of redemption. And I will make enemies Of you and the woman, And of your offspring and her Descendant, He shall bruise you on the…
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Tower of the Flock, Part 2 – Joseph’s Story
Joseph’s story Luke 2:1-6 My heart squeezed when I saw Mary sitting on a boulder on the outskirts of town. Her eyes were closed, pinched shut in pain. Her jaw clenched, stifling a moan. My first memory of her flashed through my mind. Giggles filtered through the sycamore leaves overhead. I looked up to see her legs dangling from a branch as she and my little sister gobbled ripe, juicy figs straight from the tree. My sister jostled her reaching for another fig, and Mary lost her balance. She fell into my arms. I had no idea then that it was only the first time I would hold her. But…
