Images Of Nature – Intricate Detail
A myriad of miraculous images can be found throughout nature. Anywhere we look, in any part of the world, we can see the wonder of brilliantly colored flowers, exotic plant life, gently fluttering butterflies and birds or graceful marine life large and small. Fields of food sources such as the grain fields of Kansas and rice patties of China can be as beautiful as the seas of the Mediterranean or the Fjords of Norway. From picturesque mountains or sculpted dunes of sand to the glistening sunshine dancing across a crystal clear lake, creation provides images of beauty, awe and nourishment.
How can all this be? “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). God created all things. In this simple statement, we can begin to grasp one of the most mind challenging issues man ponders. Yet in the biblical account of creation we are given full explanation for how and why this all came about. By merely speaking, all things were brought into existence. His written word shows us that God has the ability to work out the tiniest of details in all things.
Images Of Nature – Flowers and vegetation
Genesis 1:11 says: “Then God said, ‘Let the land burst forth with every sort of grass and seed bearing plant. And let there be trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. The seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came.’”
Numerous flowering plants, spices, herbs, and fruits are referenced throughout the Bible. Some of them include almond blossoms, bulrush, caperberry flowers, crocus, roses, lilies, and mint. The flowers in the land of Israel are among the most beautiful and sweet smelling. For instance in the Song of Solomon, it says, “His cheeks are like sweetly scented beds of spices. His lips are like perfumed lilies. His breath is like myrrh” (Song of Solomon 5:13-14).
Myrrh had an aromatic resin used as a component in anointing oil (Exodus 30:23). It was used as perfume in Esther 2:12 and as a deodorizer for clothing in Psalm 45:8. It was also among the gifts brought to Jesus when he was born and used for embalming according to John 9:30. Bulrush is a kind of weed growing along the river banks and was woven into the basket that held Moses as a baby (Exodus 2:3).overs a wide variety of flowers ranging from ‘lily of the valley’ to fields of iris or lotus blooms. They were a favorite in the region and were used to decorate Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 7:19, 22, 26).
Images Of Nature – Butterflies and birds
Genesis 1:20 says, “Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind.” (This denotes anything that flies, including insects) “...Let the birds increase and fill the earth.”
The Bible has perhaps more than 300 references to various birds. Some of the specific birds mentioned are rooster, eagle, ostrich, vulture, quail, sparrow, and of course the dove. All four gospels use the innocence, gentleness, and faithfulness of the dove to describe the Holy Spirit of God. Exodus 19 and Deuteronomy 32 speak about the eagle as protective, caring, and strong. These characteristics are sometimes used to symbolize God’s manner of caring for us.
The ostrich, on the other hand, is described in Job 39:13-18 both complimentary and not so. Scriptures tell here of the ostriches inability to fly, unattractiveness, carelessness, and harshness to her young. But she is fearless, the swiftest of all birds -- even surpassing a horse, and very strong.
Images Of Nature – Marine life
Genesis 1:20-22 says, “And God said, ‘Let the waters swarm with fish and other life.’ So God created great sea creatures and every sort of fish… Then God blessed them saying, ‘Let the fish multiply and fill the oceans.’”
Perhaps one of the best descriptions of one of the many sea creatures is of the Leviathan. Isaiah 27:1 says it is “a swift moving serpent, the coiling, writhing serpent, the dragon of the sea.” Psalm 74:14 (KJV) mentions that it has “many heads” and in Job 3 it is called a “sea monster.” Whereas in chapter 41 its nasty temperament is described.
God continued to make animals, livestock, and wildlife in the following verses of Genesis. Then He made man, male and female in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). Mankind was made to have the very nature of God. The story found in Genesis shows us as much about the nature of God as it does all He created. God did not have to create this universe, He chose to out of love for the world and the people He created to fill it.
Images Of Nature – Food
Genesis 1:29: “Look! I have given you the seed-bearing plants throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. And I have given all the grasses and other green plants to the animals and birds for their food.” (More about specific food provisions can be found in Leviticus 11, Matthew 15:10, Romans 14:14).
In Deuteronomy 8:8 we’re told “It is a land of wheat and barley, of grapevines, fig trees, pomegranates, olives and honey. It is a land where food is plentiful and nothing is lacking.”
Pomegranates played a dual role throughout the Bible. They produced beautiful orange-red blossoms. They are frequently used in carved artwork but more importantly, God designated them to be used as a precious decoration on the robe of the High Priest (Exodus 28:34). The ripened fruit of the pomegranate is a brilliant red containing soft sweet seeds inside that are edible in many ways. Pomegranates are part of the Hanukah Feast fare, but may also be used to tan leather as well as having medicinal uses.
Each thing that God made He said was, “good and let them multiply, able to reproduce their own kind.” God is well pleased with each and every image in the nature He created. As an artist admires his most precious masterpiece, God is pleased to provide, share, and spread His beautiful, miraculous images of nature throughout the universe.
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