"but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid, for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken." Micah 4:4 ESV
A few years ago, I was entrusted with a group of momma's treasured possessions a couple of hours a week while the mommas were encouraged and inspired by Margaret Feinberg's delightful Bible study, "Taste and See - Discovering God Among Butchers, Bakers, & Fresh Food Makers". I was so encouraged and inspired by these loving and appreciative mommas and their precious babies and Feinberg's fantastic study of foods in the Bible that I carefully recorded recipes from the children and we created our very own cookbook!
Our cookbook included favorite recipes from the preschool gourmet chefs - like Jude's Salsa: Tomatoes, a whole lot of garlic salt, onions, lemons, bell peppers - I put it all in my special blender, the "Slap-Chop blender, eat with; salty chips"; and EmmaKate's Pizza - "Spread tomato sauce on Little Ceasar Pizza Dough, sprinkle mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese and Colby Jack cheese on top. You can add 'pep-roni'. Heat oven hot enough to burn you and bake about 10 minutes." You might prefer Zachary's adaptation: "Buy pizza at Aldi's. Put it in the oven and bake or order pizza from Casey's. Pepperoni is best!"
The Study included a recipe for Roasted Figs and Brussels Sprouts and I wanted to try it but knew my husband would not be impressed so I prepared it for the mommas and we discussed the importance of figs in the Bible. Did you know Fig Tree occurs in 32 verses in the ESV Bible? In his book, "Plants of the Bible", author Allen A. Swenson writes: "As you read the scriptures, you will note that when the prophets berated their followers, they frequently threatened that the vine and fig crops might be destroyed because of their people's wickedness. In other passages, especially the peaceful verses recalling how pleasant it would be to sit under one's own fig tree, you can realize that the fig tree had many meanings, including its symbolism of peace and plenty."
Several weeks later, Jude and Lily Sue's parents slowly drove the bumpy state road to church in their pick-up and when they arrived, the children jumped out, dancing and grinning from ear-to-ear as their daddy hoisted a heavy beautiful, blue ceramic pot containing a FIG TREE for ME into the back of our Yukon! My very own fig tree! I was flabbergasted that they would go to all that trouble to order and plant a fig tree for me! I was so blessed and this verse certainly came to mind: "but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid, for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken." Micah 4:4.
Peace and Plenty indeed! Happy Thanksgiving!
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