When I am in a fabric/crafts store, I sometimes look through the remnants of fabric. Recently I found a remnant of cloth just the right color. I wanted to repair a torn and fraying fabric. If you look closely, you can see the strip of fabric that is a patch on my sofa. I am pleased with the result.
In the Bible, remnants relate to restoration. Peter was speaking at the council of Jerusalem, explaining that salvation through Jesus was for both the Jews and Gentiles. He quotes the prophets.
“‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it,
that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord,
and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,
says the Lord, who makes these things
known from of old.’ Acts 16-18
The Bible also mentions grafts. When I went to Israel, I saw the olive trees that provide a rich harvest. Paul writes about olive trees in the book of Romans, comparing Gentiles to wild olive trees.
But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. Romans 11:17-18
Paul then refers to the Jews who have not believed the salvation offered by Jesus.
For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. Romans 11:24
Throughout the Bible we can read of God’s desire for all people to have a relationship with Him. Paul expresses this in a letter to Timothy.
First of all, then, I urge supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
I Timothy 2:1-6
These Bible verses are good for meditation.
Sharing this post with the Five Minute Friday writing community. Kates’s prompt is: REMNANT
