it will again be laid waste.
But as the terebinth and oak
leave stumps when they are cut down,
so the holy seed will be the stump in the land.” (Isaiah 6:13)
Thoughts: It isn't pleasant to live in a time of pruning and stumps for the people of God. Isaiah was talking about a time in which an enemy would arise and reduce the number and fruitfulness of God's people. We live in a time in which secularism is winning, and many vehemently criticize Christians, and in a time in which Christians give in to the immorality around them. Only a remnant is left. Sounds pretty negative- right?
Well Isaiah is telling the people there is hope even in such a time. Never is the Church totally destroyed. There is life even in a stump. Later (Isaiah 9) he says that a shoot shall come forth from the stump of Jesse. That is, the Messiah shall come forth. Christians see that prophecy fulfilled in Jesus' coming from the old, seemingly dead Davidic line. In this passage it speaks of "the holy seed." A seed is full of hope and the potential for life. Often when we think we have no hope, God surprises us. Christians are not such optimists that we do not think there are times of pruning. Yet, we believe God is in control and will not utterly forsake His people.
In Svalbord Norway there is a Global Seed Vault that duplicates major seeds in case of some kind of global crisis (the entrance is pictured below). Some would see this as a very negative thought, but in some ways it is positive- preserving a seed is important. So we too should pass the seed of our faith onto the next generation.
Prayer: Help me, Lord, to trust in you in the midst of a pruning time for your church. Help me to not fall away by temptation or be deceived. Preserve me, and help me to be a part of the passing on of the faith to others.
(Svalbord Seed Vault entrance)
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