Tag Archives: Psalms

Bringing in the Sheaves

Posted on May 28, 2024 | 3 comments

The two main grain crops in Bible times were wheat and barley. Barley tended to be used mostly by the poor and for the feeding of the animals. It was planted and ripened about a month earlier than wheat.

Here is a list of the Biblical references to cutting the grain, binding it into sheaves so they could be brought into the barns.

The Psalmist said ” He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” (Psalm126:6 ESV). And again, the Psalmist says, with which the reaper does not fill his hand nor the binder of sheaves his arms (Psalm 129:7 ESV)

Sheeves of grain bound to be gathered into the barn near ancient Samaria. The tell can be seen on top of the hill to the left of the photo. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.
Grain that has been cut and bound so that it can be brought into the barn. The ancient hill of Samaria can be seen in the distance.
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“Dried up like a potsherd”

Posted on December 20, 2012 | Leave a comment

Simple things make good illustrations. Just ask Jesus.

David used many simple illustrations in the Psalms. In one he spoke of the common piece of broken pottery (potsherd) which could be found around every home and camp site.

my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. (Psalm 22:15 ESV)

In this text David describes his own feeling of weakness and/or that of the coming Messiah. There are times, I think, when each of us feels like this.

A common thing we see at archaeological digs is a pile of potsherds from ancient times. Archaeologists relish an unbroken piece of pottery, but even the sherds or potsherds reveal a lot about the age of the stratum being worked and the life of the ancient people. The broken jar handle from Ramat Rachel, south of Jerusalem, tells its own story.

Potsherds at Ramat Rachel excavation. Photo by Leon Mauldin.

Potsherds Potsherds at Ramat Rachel excavation. Photo by Leon Mauldin.

Unless it is an old college professor (pick your own), nothing is drier than a piece of broken pottery. Great illustration.

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Posted in Archaeology, Bible Study, Culture, Israel, Old Testament, Photography, Travel

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The wilderness — a dry and weary land

Posted on August 5, 2011 | 1 comment

Wilderness of Judea. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

A scene in the Wilderness of Judah. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. (Psalm 63:1 ESV)

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Posted in Bible Places, Bible Study, Israel, Old Testament, Photography

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