It’s July and the season of flowers where I live. One look through my photo collection will show you how much I like them (maybe it’s because I’m named after a flower!).
Not many flowers are mentioned in the Bible, though, but there are a few.. For example:
- The shape of almond blossoms was to be part of the decoration hammered into the golden lampstand of the tabernacle – Exodus 25:31-36.
- Grape blossoms and pomegranate buds are part of the sensuous imagery of the Song of Solomon – Song of Solomon 7:12.
- Mallow and broom are mentioned in Job 30:4.
- There is a “rose” in Isaiah 35:1,2 (NKJV) but it is rendered “crocus” by other translators (Isaiah 35:1-2 NASB).
- Several Bible writers mention the flower of the grass and flower of the field as reminders of how brief and fragile our life is (1 Peter 1:24-25; James 1:10-11).
- And finally, we have the lily. Lots of lilies:
– The lily shape was to be the inspiration of the design of the Sea (a huge ceremonial basin that was part of the temple furnishings – 2 Chronicles 4:5).
– A scented lily, dripping “liquid myrrh” was the image the Shulamite used of her beloved (Song of Solomon 5:13).
– A growing lily was the example Hosea used of what Israel would be like after returning to God from her backsliding (Hosea 14:5).
– Jesus referred to lilies as examples of life lived completely free of self-care and dependent on God’s care (Matthew 6:28-30; Luke 12:27-28).
This month let flowers prompt your writing.
Perhaps your main character will be named after a flower, or your story will be set in a garden. That doesn’t mean it has to be a story of sweet innocence. Lots of nefarious things can happen with only flowers looking on.
Perhaps your essay will tell of flower-growing memories, or of how your black thumb makes you feel snubbed by flowers.
Perhaps your poem will take its inspiration from a specific flower becoming an ode to that flower, will make that flower iconic of other things, or will expand on a flower painting or photograph.
Let the flowers of the Bible and July inspire you and your writing. Happy blooming!
(Check out my Pinterest board of Bible flowers)
Violet Nesdoly 