Were is past tense. It’s a seemingly innocent, little verb. But it can contain implications SO intense that eternity is required in order to even begin to understand how intense.
As an example, I’m gonna share some words written by a guy named Ezekiel. He’s a famous Biblical prophet. In fact, he’s considered one of the major prophets. But I’m not sharing his words to talk about prophecy. No, I think this goes straight to the importance of relationships over selfishness.
As you read the word “were,” in this clip from four verses in Ezekiel’s 28th chapter, you’ll hear the sound of a heavy hammer slamming against metal in an echo chamber.
Ready? Go…
You were the seal of perfection,
Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
You were in Eden, the garden of God;
Every precious stone was your covering:
The sardius, topaz, and diamond,
Beryl, onyx, and jasper,
Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold.
The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes
Was prepared for you on the day you were created.
You were the anointed cherub who covers;
I established you;
You were on the holy mountain of God;
You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones.
And you were perfect in your ways from the day you were created.
OK. That’s the section. Take a few seconds to clear your head of that hammer sound.
Now. Did you notice how “were” is past tense, twice, in that last line.
Well, that’s because the hammer’s about to come down in the next line. It’s followed by a gigantic BUT.
(side note: I know gigantic “buts” are all the rage now, BUT this ain’t that kinda but.)
Anyway…
The person Ezekiel‘s message points to gets a massive blow to his ego in the next lines. And he finds out that he ain’t all that and/or a bag of chips. In fact, his chips are down. And he’s out! No amount of sardius, topaz, diamond, beryl, onyx, jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold will buy his way out.
But I won’t spoil the rest. Go check it out for yourself. And I hope, if similar descriptions fit you, that were is past tense for you very soon, too. Because, then, you’ll be able to embrace and appreciate what WILL be.
Emerald Embrace
I sat upon an emerald.
The green glow glazed my eyes.
And I beheld the art of God,
His brushstrokes in the skies.
The neon shone through bright chartreuse,
And pine and malachite,
And all the way into my heart
That still and liquid night.
I know, for God, the painting was
A glimpse of what will be,
In Heaven’s emerald embrace,
With Him eternally.
© 2022
By the way, I’ve written a bunch of books. For adults AND kids. As long as you’re already in the “Christmas buying mood,” get a little something for you and/or them:
(https://www.amazon.com/stores/Tony-Funderburk/author/B008R08LUG)
Stay tuned,
