Monday, April 26, 2010

Ok, just a couple more....new camera!








Raspberry Bushes
Herb Garden
Romaine Lettuce

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4 comments:

  1. RogerApril 27, 2010 at 3:44 AM

    Your "To do" list is void of any entries. What does this mean? Any "To do" list should always have at least one entry, or it become irrelevant.

    Rhubarb is ready for use! Some stalks are already going to seed.

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  2. AllyApril 27, 2010 at 7:36 AM

    Would you like me to make you a pie? I am home sick today, but may be at the church later today (if you're working out or stopping by the church)...if you are going to be at the church tomorrow night you can give me the rhubarb then....let me know. First to do list complete, working on next phase of things to do in backyard..will post

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  3. RogerApril 29, 2010 at 5:26 PM

    I'm wondering if comments related to Jer 29:5 are best placed under pictures of three garden plants, but seeing no other place ...

    V. 1 makes clear that Jeremiah is writing to those already in Babylonian exile. Most likely, the target audience was those carried off in the first exile. Recall that there are three groups of exiles (604 BC, 596 BC, and 587 BC), the first being the most useful in terms of education, arts, etc. The Babylonians took the "cream of the crop" first, with the dredges in the last exile before Jerusalem fell.

    In v. 10, Jeremiah makes his important prophetic statement regarding the length of exile. He states that 70 years will pass before the Israelites will be released to return to Jerusalem.

    Vs. 4-9, the prophet is telling those in exile, "settle in, start to live a productive life while in Babylonia, get used to the setting because you will be here for awhile." He provides a list of very ordinary things of daily and family life, such as build houses, marry, have families, AND plant gardens to produce food. These are actions that are not unusual, or out of ordinary for those who were taken into exile. He even goes further to explain to them about being prosperous, and letting the city benefit from their presence.

    The remainder of the paragraph stating the prophetic timetable, Jeremiah makes promises of God's presence in their life. He speaks about their personal relationship with the Lord in what they do, and how He will remain faithful to them, even outside of Jerusalem.

    (continued in next post)

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  4. RogerApril 29, 2010 at 5:28 PM

    (continued from previous post -- didn't like my long-winded replay of >4,096 characters)

    V. 11 is often quoted, quotations that often make me cringe. I believe use of this passage is one of those taken from the context, "I have plans for you ...." I am doubting that many who quote this passage as an encouragement to others in a time of difficulty are able to articulate the context of the promise of God. But, I digress. I'm merely saying that the verse needs some context around it, when it is said, why it was said, and the intended outcome.

    Vs. 15-19, Jeremiah paints a negative picture of what happens to those who try to make Jerusalem out of Babylon. He makes clear that He wishes them to return to Jerusalem at the appointed time. And, He is foreseeing a problem when some will want to establish a royal throne in Babylon, rather than return to Jerusalem. Obviously, we know this warning was not heeded. When the appointed time for return was completed, only about ten percent of the exiled people chose to return to Jerusalem. The prediction of those who would choose to stay far exceeded those who choose to return.

    In brief form, this is what I think Jeremiah is writing about, and the context of v. 5 about gardens. Maybe their gardens in Babylon were so good, they chose backyard farming, rather than to be obedient in returning to Jerusalem.

    Ps 137 provides some insight into the initial reaction of the exiles. At the time this psalm was written, the people apparently still hungered much for their homeland. The psalm is very depressing in the sense they longed for their former surroundings. As their time spent in Babylon passed, the 90% who chose to stay must have done an about-face with regard to their feelings of their new surroundings.

    Is this the "frog in the pot" syndrome? Initially, the surroundings aren't comfortable, but as time passes, we get desensitized to hostile surroundings. After time passes, we can become more comfortable with our situation, and soon thereafter, we don't want to leave. How does this principle map out into putting ourselves into immoral, sinful, lustful, or otherwise objectionable settings? Initially, we respond in hostility, but later, we don't even feel the problem, it becomes the norm. Does this sound like USA 2010? Does this sound like government intrusion into private lives -- nobody knocking on doors, ready to take us away, but rather just making the people feeling more dependent upon what others are doing in our environment? Well, maybe I've stepped over the boundaries there, but the similarities are too obvious to miss (for me).

    Enough of insight (no insite here, just insight).

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