Saturday, October 17, 2009

first Sojourn devotional cover

The Lamented


“Remember my affliction and my wanderings,
the wormwood and the gall!
My soul continually remembers it
and is bowed down within me.
But this I call to mind,
and therefore I will hope.
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul
‘therefore I will hope in him.’” Lamentations 3:19-24

The lament is from the lamented daughter of Zion. In the first verses of Lamentations, Jerusalem is referred to as a princess who has become a slave. Later verses show God’s wrath poured upon the rebellious people through the image of a rain and the reality of graphic bloodshed. Desolation stands where a once beautiful city now lays slain. One motif that has stuck with me is God’s glory shown through fire, gleaming metal, and flashes of brilliant light throughout Lamentations and Ezekiel. As I read these passages, my heart became increasing heavy under God’s judgment of Israel but mostly His majesty and power. However, “the Lord will not cast off forever” as in Lam 3:31. To the repentant He gives hope, mercy and grace. The girl in the picture is the mournful daughter of Israel but also this daughter of God that I am through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. I encourage everyone to read Lamentations and Ezekiel to increase their view of our Lord’s power and awesome majesty.

8 comments:

michael said...

This picture and artist statement is a fantastic expression of the theological tension found in Lamentations. Great job!

Unknown said...

love that verse, and the artwork is AMAZING

laceylou said...

B. I love it.

Erin said...

wow.

eric jarboe said...

I have always been intrigued with the prophets' descriptions of the God's glory. Your artist's eye has re-fired my interest in reading the major prophets.

B. Anne Jarboe said...

thank you all. this was very encouraging!

erin said...

LOVE.

totally tweeting.

Unknown said...

So, for the devotional cover, did you photograph this painting? I'm interested in learning the materials you used to create this piece of artwork. Looks like two types of paper on top of oil paints?
Maybe I'm misinterpreting the point of your blog, but I bet others would be interested in learning not just what inspired you but also the different techniques you used in addition to specifications about the piece (ie dimensions, materials, etc).
Keep up the inspiring work!
(This is Kelsy again.)