Comes the Word of Yahweh in Parables
Prophecy for Today

Comes Again the Word of Yahweh to Jeremiah

Comes again the Word of Yahweh to Jeremiah, saying, “Ben-Adam! O seer, what do you see?”

And answers Jeremiah the Word of Yahweh with these words, saying, “Yahweh, Lord of the garden and the orchard that is within it, I am weary of seeing. My eyes are distressed from the strain of sight. Is there nothing good to behold in the life of the trees in the orchard? Why must I look yet again? I cannot bear it!”

Then the Word of Yahweh becomes a branch in the tree beside Jeremiah. And the Word speaks to Jeremiah and says to him, “Ben-Adam, look upon me and know that I feel the pain of your sight. Look upon me and tell me what you see.”

Then Jeremiah turns and speaks to the very Word of Yahweh in the tree beside him, saying, “Beware the vine! It grows again to encircle you and to ensnare you!”

But the Word of Yahweh speaks to Jeremiah, saying, “Ben-Adam, be not afraid, for the vine cannot take away my fruit. It will pierce the bark of this branch and sap the strength that belongs to the branch alone, yet my branch will bear fruit. See, I will become another tree! Behold, the gardener will come and plant me in another place. There will I yet grow again and bear branches that give fruit for the enjoyment of the gardener and the Lord of the garden and the Master of the orchard that is within it. See, I have already planted myself all around. You need not fear the vine itself. Be strong in me. Hold fast to your source and let me fill you with strength and nourishment. I give you life and strength. The vine comes but to steal from you and sap your strength. Fear not, for in due time the gardener will come and rip it away. You will be stronger, for though the vine saps your strength, I will replenish you in full measure. Only hold fast to me, for I am your strength.”

Then Jeremiah is filled and renewed. So he looks, and, behold, the gardener comes and cuts him off of the tree! So Jeremiah cries aloud, saying, “Woe is me! Woe is me, for I am removed from the stump from which I was sprung! I am cut off from the One who gives me strength and nourishment! I will be thrown into the fire, though I have done no wrong!”

But the gardener takes Jeremiah to a clear spot and places his wound into the soil. Then he causes Jeremiah to grow roots that he might again have nourishment and strength. And Jeremiah stands in the ground.

Comes again the Word of Yahweh to Jeremiah, saying, “Ben-Adam, see I take you out of the clutches of the vine. I plant you in fertile soil. I give you roots for nourishment, and strength to help you grow. See now that you bear fruit for my orchard. In due time I will come again with shears to prune you that you might grow stronger and bear much good and wholesome fruit. See only that you are not enamored by the vine which grows for its own beauty and strength, but does not bear fruit for my orchard. Be strong, grow great, and bear fruit that my orchard may yield its increase.”

Then Jeremiah cries out to Yahweh, saying, “Behold, I do not know how to be a tree! I am but a branch! Graft me back into the stump from which I was removed, for I am afraid to be placed into the ground on my own!”

The anger of Yahweh is kindled against Jeremiah, for he says, “I am but a branch!” Then the Word of Yahweh comes against Jeremiah, saying, “Ben-Adam! What is this I hear? Are you now the gardener of my orchard? Would you give counsel to the Master of the Orchard in the care of its trees and the purposes of their growth?”

And Jeremiah hangs his head in shame and speaks to Yahweh, saying, “I am but a branch cut off from the tree that is the joy of the garden. I am afraid, and I speak in my fear, words without wisdom or understanding.”

Then the Word of Yahweh comes to Jeremiah once more, saying, “Fear not, for I AM with you. I AM the life in your stem and the roots that give you strength and nourishment. Only bear fruit and trust me.”

After these words, Jeremiah says no more.

Thus is the Word of Yahweh come to Jeremiah, the seer.

In the midst of his silence—in his search for rest—the Word of Yahweh comes again to Jeremiah, saying, “Ben-Adam! Awaken and open your eyes. What do you see?”

And Jeremiah answers Yahweh, saying, “Lord, I am weary with seeing, and my eyes are closed in slumber. I must sleep to regain my strength. I cannot look, for I am weary and worn, and I fear what I might see!” Yet speaks the Word of Yahweh to Jeremiah, saying, “Ben-Adam, I AM your strength and your rest! Rest in me, and you will find. Open your eyes and rest in my strength, not in your own.”

In his weariness, Jeremiah opens his eyes and sees again the gardener with the blade for pruning. Jeremiah sees the stump from which he is removed and a branch, large and green and full of leaves—a beauty to behold. Comes the gardener with the blade, to cut off the branch to cast it into the fire. And Jeremiah cries, for the branch is lovely to behold and full of green and vigor.

So Jeremiah answers Yahweh, saying, “I see the gardener with a blade to prune cutting off the most beautiful of all the branches left on the tree to throw it into the fire!”

Comes the Word of Yahweh to Jeremiah, saying, “Hear and listen. Open your ears that you might see and understand—hear and take it to heart. The branch you see that is cut off and thrown into the fire—the one so beautiful, green and strong—it will never bear fruit, for it seeks only after its own glory. It is like the vine that covers itself beautifully and robs the tree of its fruit and strength. It is fit but for the fire. Now raise your eyes once more, for the gardener approaches.”

Then Jeremiah raises his eyes, but he cannot bear the sight. And he speaks to Yahweh, saying, “Lord, stay his hand, for the gardener is raising his blade to cut off my crown!”

And the Word of Yahweh answers him, saying, “Ben-Adam! Hold your peace. A crown is not befitting to a mortal. It is well that your crown is cut off and cast into the flames. I AM your crown and your portion. You must be pruned, lest you grow too tall and forget to put out branches and bear fruit. I do not choose you that you might be great and tall and lovely, but that you might bear fruit for my orchard and my harvest. Your branches will be pruned, your crown cast away. Then will I be your strength and your supply. Worry not over your beauty, your height, or your foliage. See only that you remain in Me and I in you, that you might bear much fruit!”

Then in the quiet, Jeremiah heard the gardener approach. And he drinks nourishment from his root, strength from the One in him, and rests in the care of the gardener who would help him to bear fruit.

Thus is the Word of Yahweh come to Jeremiah, the seer.

¹ Ben-Adam: "Son of Man."

—©Copyright 2005 Christopher B. Harbin