punica granatum

"Thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks (veil)" Song of Solomon 6:7. Upon reading this verse, my thoughts traveled to trips to the supermarket and the growing popularity of a new "superfood". Punica granatum, better known as pomegranate, seems to have become all the rage in food products these days. I am certain you have seen it mixed in juices or food products as well as being the new scent in candles and shampoos. I have even discovered it as a new gum and breath mint flavor of all things. It is touted as having antioxidant properties, preventing prostate, breast cancer, and clotting of the blood.


So what is this mysterious fruit? Bound up in a leathery skin are ruby red seeds full of juice and fiber. Clusters of seed are separated by a white spongy tissue. The fruit is native to the Middle East, but is becoming increasingly popular in California and other temperate climates. I recently tried to purchase one, but found that they were available in my area only from September to January.
.

There are numerous mentions of this fruit in God's word. We learn in 1 Kings that pomegranates were carved on the Temple. They were embroidered upon the hem of the priest's robe. Look into the fruit which is pictured here. Do you see the red fruit juice? Red represents the blood of Jesus. In the Song of Songs, it appears at her temples.
.

The actual temple in Jerusalem, built by Solomon, was where sacrifice and worship took place. Do these things take place behind the veil of our minds? From them come words and deeds which bring forth good fruit or bad.
.

*The fruit of the pomegranate is in the seeds. If the seeds are red, then they may be eaten and the sweetness savored. If the seed is not red it will taste bitter! Thoughts are seeds! For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he...Prov 23:7. Oh how important it is to apply the work of Calvary to everything that would enter your mind. Isn't this where true sacrifice and worship begins? If we sow the good seeds of His Word in our minds and abide (continually obey) in that Word, it will result in producing a pleasant crop of adoration and service for your Bridegroom to enjoy.

Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed

by Isaac Watts

.

Alas! and did my Savior bleed,

and did my Sovereign die!

Would he devote that sacred head

for sinners such as I?

.

Was it for crimes that I have done,

he groaned upon the tree?

Amazing pity! Grace unknown!

And love beyond degree!

.

Well might the sun in darkness hide,

and shut its glories in, when God,

the mighty maker,

died for his own creature's sin.

.

Thus might I hide my blushing face

while his dear cross appears;

dissolve my heart in thankfulness,

and melt mine eyes to tears.

.

But drops of tears can ne'er repay

the debt of love I owe.

Here, Lord, I give myself away;

'tis all that I can do.

.

*taken from Esher Shoshannah's Song of Solomon devotional.