“The Diamond Setting”
There are two parts to buying a diamond. The first step is picking out the diamond. This is the most important step because the quality, size, and cut of the diamond determines the worth of the entire piece of jewelry. So, the value of the ring, bracelet, or necklace that you are purchasing comes from the diamond itself.
The second step is choosing a setting which the precious gem will be displayed, i.e. the ring. This has a value of its’ own, but its purpose is to highlight the diamond. It magnifies the beauty of the diamond. It lifts and accents the characteristics of the stone so that everyone who sees it can appreciate it.
This is much like the land of Israel. It is the setting for the “diamond” of the Gospel of Jesus and the biblical history leading up to it. From the green hills surrounding the Sea of Galilee, to the Judean mountains of Qumran, its’ beauty is captivating. When one gets the opportunity to visit this land where Abraham, Moses, Elijah, and others lived, it changes the way you read the Bible. Seeing the physical landscape of Galilee or walking the stone streets of the old city of Jerusalem adds living color and depth to the stories of Scripture. It is easy to see how people become enchanted by the “land where Jesus walked”. But we must be reminded that the “land” of Israel, however beautiful and majestic, is still just the setting for the priceless jewel of the Gospel.
On my recent trip to the Holy Land, I was profoundly impacted by the places that I visited. I can honestly say that seeing the land has added to my understanding of the Scripture. But despite the wondrous landscapes, the value of a trip to Israel is recognizing that this is just the “setting” for the story of God’s loving pursuit of His people…and that includes you and me.
Over the next few weeks I wanted to share with you some of the things that were meaningful for me. My goal is to remind you that the places and people we read about in the Scriptures are real. And, it is my prayer that some of these things will challenge you to get into God’s Word with a renewed passion and a deeper conviction.
Blessings!