Scriptures from Nehemiah: Chapters 1 and 2

"Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire." Nehemiah 1:3 (NIV)

Description of the illumination: five scriptures to accent a Bible study or sermon on Nehemiah, or journal perhaps, comes in purple, pale green

 

"When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven." Nehemiah 1:4 (NIV)

"but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.'' Nehemiah 1:9 (NIV)

"but I said to the king, "May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?" Nehemiah 2:3 (NIV)

"but I said to the king, "May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?" Nehemiah 2:5 (NIV)

Have a question about the illustration? Just type it in the comment box and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. I only publish content that is closely related to the subject folks.

Jesse Tree Ornament - The Sun

"And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also." Genesis 1:16 (KJB)

Patterns for crafting a sun symbol for your Jesse tree.

A color suggestion for painting the sun symbol.

       The sun; the great luminary which God created at the beginning, to govern the day. It furnishes a great part of the noble similitudes used by sacred authors, who to represent great public calamity, speak of the sun as being obscured, etc...

• "For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine." Isaiah 13:10
• "Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously." Isaiah 24:23
• "She that hath borne seven languisheth: she hath given up the ghost; her sun is gone down while it was yet day: she hath been ashamed and confounded: and the residue of them will I deliver to the sword before their enemies, saith the LORD." Jeremiah 15:9
• "And when I shall put thee out, I will cover the heaven, and make the stars thereof dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give her light." Ezekiel. 32:7
• "The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come." Joel 2:31
• "And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:" Amos 8:9

       To express a long continuance of any thing glorious and illustrious, it is said, it shall continue as long as the sun. 

• "His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed." Psalm 72:17
• "His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me." Psalm 89:36

So the reign of the Messiah, under whose happy dominion the light of the moon shall equal that of the sun, and that of the sun be seven times more than ordinary.

• "Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound." Isaiah 30:26

Christ is called the Sun of righteousness,

• "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall." Malachi. 4:2

The compass of the whole earth is described by the expression, from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same; or rather, from east to west, 

• "A Psalm of Asaph. The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof." Psalm 50:1
• "And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south." Psalm 107:3
• "From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised." Psalm 113:3

A baker's clay sample of the sun symbol.

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Jesse Tree Ornament - The Camel

"The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence." Genesis 24:7 (KJB)

Two patterns for the camel symbol.

Color suggestion for the camel symbol.

       The servant devised a test in order to find the right wife for Isaac. As he stood at the central well in Abraham's birthplace with his men and ten camels laden with goods, he prayed to God:

"And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master." Genesis 24:14

       To his surprise, a young girl immediately came out and offered to draw water for him to drink, as well as water to fill the troughs for all his camels. Rebekah continued to draw water until all the camels were sated, proving her kind and generous nature and her suitability for entering Abraham's household. The servant immediately gave her a golden nose ring and two golden bracelets (Genesis 24:22), which Rebekah hurried to show her mother. Seeing the jewelry, her brother Laban ran out to greet the guest and bring him inside. The servant recounted the oath he made to Abraham and all the details of his trip to and meeting with Rebekah in fine detail, after which Laban and Bethuel agreed that she could return with him. After hosting the party overnight, however, the family tried to keep Rebekah with them longer. The servant insisted that they ask the girl herself, and she agreed to go immediately. Her family sent her off with her nurse, Deborah (according to Rashi), and blessed her, "Our sister, may you come to be thousands of myriads, and may your offspring inherit the gate of its foes."

A baker's clay version of the camel symbol used to illustrate the
means by which a wife for Isaac was chosen. 

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Jesse Tree Ornament - The Rainbow

"I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh." Genesis 9: 13-15 (KJB)

Patterns for crafting the rainbow symbol for your Jesse tree.

Color suggestion for the rainbow symbol from Genesis.

       Promises of God, are the kind declarations of his word, in which he hath assured us he will bestow blessings upon his people.
       The promises contained in the sacred Scriptures may be considered,
   1.) Divine as to their origin.
   2.) Suitable as to their nature.
   3.) Abundant as to their number.
   4.) Clear as to their expression.
   5.) Certain as to their accomplishment.The consideration of them should,
          a.) Prove an antidote to despair.
          b.) A motive to patience.
          c.) A call for prayer.
          d.) A spur to perseverance

A baker's clay version of the rainbow symbol for a Jesse tree.

• Return To The Jesse Tree Index
• Wrap a rainbow colored wreath for your tree
• How to make a rainbow Christmas tree
• A tour of our rainbow Christmas tree ornaments

Jesse Tree Ornament - The Sandals

"Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:" Genesis 12: 1-4 (KJB)

and

"And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him." Genesis 12:7 (KJB)

Patterns for cutting Abraham's sandals from baker's clay.

You will need twine and glue and an embroidery needle along with baker's clay and acrylic paints for this sandal ornament. The holes in the color version of the ornament show where you will need to thread the twine for the upper parts of the sandals. It is also important that you not add feet to your sandals for Abraham. The symbol of Abraham's sandals removed denotes absolute subjugation to God.

Color suggestion for painting the sandals of Abraham.

A baker's clay version of Abraham's sandals.

Sandals, at first, were only soles tied to the feet with strings or thongs; afterwards they were covered; and at last they called even shoes sandals. When Judith went to the camp of Holoderness, it is said she put sandals on her feet; and her sandals ravished his eyes. They were a magnificent kind of buskins, proper only to ladies of condition, and such as dressed themselves for admiration. But there were sandals also belonging to men, and of mean value.

       The business of untying and carrying the sandals being that of a servant, the expressions of the Baptist, "whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose," was an acknowledgement of his great inferiority to Christ, and that Christ was his Lord. To pull off the sandals on entering a sacred place, or the house of a person of distinction, was the usual mark of respect. They were taken care of by the attendant servant. 

Other scripture denotes distinctions made in removing the shoes: In these cases there is a necessary submission to the Lord as supreme authority.

• "And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." Exodus 3:5 (KJB)
• "And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
  " 2 Samuel 15:30 (KJB)
• "At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot. And the LORD said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia;" Isaiah 20: 2-3 (KJB)
• "And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey." Joshua 9:13 (KJB)
• "Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel. Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe." Ruth 4:7-8 (KJB)
• "Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way." Luke 10:4 (KJB)

Who knew shoes meant so much?

• The Symbolism of the Shoe with Special Reference to Jewish Sources
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Jesse Tree Ornament - The Heart

"And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." Luke 1:28 (KJB)

Pattern for the Jesse tree heart symbol, given to the
Virgin Mary, mother of Christ.

       Mary being espoused to Joseph, the angel Gabriel appeared to her, to announce to her that she should be by a miracle of divine power, the mother of the Messiah. To confirm this message, and to show that nothing is impossible to God, he added that her cousin Elisabeth, who was old, and had been hitherto barren, was then in the sixth month of her pregnancy. Mary thus convinced, answered, "Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." Luke 1:38

       The Hebrews used this word, heart, for the soul, comprehending all its feelings and faculties. Hence are derived many modes of expression. "An honest and good heart," Luke 8:15 is a heart studious of holiness, being prepared by the Spirit of God to receive the word with due affections, dispositions, and resolutions.

A painted, baker's clay heart for the Jesse tree.

       Keeping the heart is a duty enjoined in the sacred Scriptures. It consists, says Mr. Flavel, in the diligent and constant use and improvement of all holy means and duties to preserve the soul from sin, and maintain communion with God; and this, he properly observes, supposes a previous work of sanctification, which hath set the heart right by giving it a new bent and inclination. 

1. It includes frequent observation of the frame of the heart, "I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search." Psalms 77:6
2. Deep humiliation for heart evils and disorders, "Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah." 2 Chronicles 32:26
3. Earnest supplication for heart purifying and rectifying grace, "Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults." Psalm 19:12
4. A constant, holy jealousy over our hearts, "He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him." Proverbs 27:14
5. It includes the realizing of God's presence with us, and setting him before us, "I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved." Psalm 16:8 and "And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect." Genesis 17:1.

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Jesse Tree Ornament - The Apple

"And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?" Genesis 3:6-9 (KJB)

Apple and leaf patterns for the Jesse tree.

Color suggestion for painting the apple symbol.

        The apple has long been used to represent our most ancient of ancestors because they changed their relationship to God by eating a type of fruit from the tree of knowledge of both good and evil. Why the apple, of all fruits, got stuck with such a evil association, we may never know. But, I suspect that this unfortunate fruit was selected for the symbol because of it's connections with Adam's apple.

       There are two main theories as to the origin of the term "Adam's apple". The "Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable" and the 1913 edition of Webster's Dictionary point at an ancient belief that a piece of forbidden fruit was embedded in Adam's throat (the first man, according to Abrahamic religions). However, neither the Bible nor other Judeo-Christian or Islamic writings mention such a story. In fact, the biblical story does not even specify the type of fruit that Adam ate.

       Linguist Alexander Gode claimed that the Latin phrase to designate the laryngeal prominence was very probably translated incorrectly from the beginning. The phrase in Latin was "pomum Adami" (literally: 'Adam's apple'). This, in turn, came from the Hebrew "tappuach ha adam" meaning "apple of man". The confusion lies in the fact that in Hebrew language the proper name "Adam" (אדם) literally means "man", while the Hebrew word "apple" means "swollen", thus in combination: the swelling of a man.  Proponents of this version contend that the subsequent phrases in Latin and other Romance languages represent a mistranslation from the start.

       Nonetheless, artists throughout history seem to have selected this fruit to represent the fall of Adam and Eve no matter what any of the rest of us may say or believe in the apples' defense.

       The fall, is a topic of great importance that should not be avoided when teaching young ones. However, it may be taught in a positive way through it's association with: 

1. The naming of the first man and woman. and...
2. Christ's coming to save the race of man from spiritual exile.

        The apostle Paul speaks to the congregation at Corinth about the first man and woman in relationship to Christ. Christ being the second man to replace Adam and Christ being the one who saves us from the fall by defeating the serpent that had so beguiled Eve.

       Adam; the name of the first man, the progenitor of the human race. It is derived from Adamah, which, in Hebrew and in all the oriental languages, originally signifies vegetable earth, or mould; and there seems to be an allusion to this derivation in 1 Corinthians 15:47-49. where, in relation to the two great heads of the human race, the natural and supernatural, the apostle says, "The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." Those who love God and follow Christ are eventually allowed to eat the fruit of the tree of life.

• What is the meaning of the tree of life?  

       Eve; the name of the first woman: Chava in Hebrew, is derived from the same root as chajim, life; because she was to be "the mother of all living." It is believed she was created on the sixth day, after Adam had reviewed the animals. The apostle refers to the fall when he speaks of the Eve to the early converts in 2 Corinthians 11:3 "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." Through his death and resurrection, Christ redeems all that was lost through the deception of the mother of our race and restores us all to Eden.

• How Eden is Restored?

Left, you can see that I have cut the apple from baker's clay, scratched it's surface and smoothed on a tiny bit of water before pressing the leaf gently on top of the apple's surface. Right, here I have painted my apple bright red and the leaf green and the stem brown. Seal the finished clay ornaments with clear acrylic spray after it has dried.

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Jesse Tree Ornament - The Shell

"For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." Matthew 3:3 (KJB)

Patterns for the Jesse Tree Shell Symbol.

Color suggestion for painting the shell symbol.

"In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matthew 3:1-3 (KJB)

A painted sample of the shell symbol on
the Jesse Tree.

       The baptism of John was evidently a preparatory ordinance. He came to "prepare the way of the Lord." He preached to the people that the Messiah was coming, and exhorted them to prepare to receive him; and in order that they might be prepared, called them to repentance and baptism. 

       One part of the design of John's baptism as stated by himself, shows it to have been entirely distinct from Christian baptism: "That he (Christ) should be made manifest to Israel, therefore I come baptizing with water," John 1: 31. It was an important part of the object of John's ministry and baptism, to point out the Messiah of the Jewish people, bear public testimony in his behalf, and induct him, by the washing of water, into the ministry. 

       Christian baptism originated in the express command of Christ: "Go ye and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." 

• Return to The Jesse Tree Index
• Craft tear drop shaped Chrismons with shells 
• Handmade Pearl Ornament
• Baptism tags at Christian Clip Art Review 

Jesse Tree Ornament - The Red Rope

"Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee." Joshua 2:18 (KJB)

or

"By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace." Hebrews 11:31 (KJB)

For this Jesse tree symbol, roll out three long ropes of clay on a floured surface and braid these together. Paint Rahab's rope red and hang it on your Jesse tree to remember her bravery.

       Rahab; an hostess of the city of Jericho, who received and concealed the spies sent by Joshua. The Hebrew calls her zuneh, (Joshua 2:1) which Jerome and many others understand of a prostitute. Others, however, think she was only a hostess or innkeeper, and that this is the true signification of the original word, from zoom, to provide food. Had she been a woman of ill fame, would Salmon, a prince of the tribe of Judah, have taken her to wife? Or could he have done it by the law? Besides, the spies of Joshua would hardly have gone to lodge with a common harlot, they who were charged with so nice and dangerous a commission. Those who maintain that she was a harlot, pretend that she perhaps one of those women who prostituted themselves in honor of pagan deities. But such women are called kadeshah, not zuneh, in the Hebrew.

       Rahab married Salmon, a prince of Judah, by whom she had Boaz, from whom descended Obed, Jesse, and David. Thus Jesus Christ condescended to reckon this Canaanitish woman among his ancestors. St. Paul magnifies the faith of Rahab, 

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Crosses from The Christian Celts

       Celtic Christianity or Insular Christianity refers broadly to certain features of Christianity that were common, or held to be common, across the Celtic-speaking world during the Early Middle Ages. "Celtic Christianity" has been conceived of with differing levels of specificity: some writers have described a distinct "Celtic Church" uniting the Celtic peoples and distinguishing them from the "Roman" Catholic Church, while others classify it as simply a set of distinctive practices occurring in those areas. Scholars now reject the former notion, but note that there were certain traditions and practices used in both the Irish and British churches but not in the wider Christian world. These include a distinctive system for determining the dating of Easter, a style of monastic tonsure, a unique system of penance, and the popularity of going into "exile for Christ". Additionally, there were other practices that developed in certain parts of Britain or Ireland, but which are not known to have spread beyond a particular region. The term therefore denotes regional practices among the insular churches and their associates, rather than actual theological differences. Read more...

Scripture References for Celtic Cross Chrismons:

• "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Timothy 1:17 (NIV)
• "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." Deuteronomy 33:27 (NLT)
• "Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?”
   God said to Moses, “ I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘ I AM has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:13-14 (ESV)
• "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." 2 Peter 3:8 (NIV)

Celtic sing, "The Call"

The Gospel has a call as well.

Answer The Call of The Gospel:

•  Has God Called You? The Calling of the Christian Minister
• The Doctrine of God's Effectual Call
• Charity and the Call of the Gospel
• The Two Natures of the Divine Call
• What is The Gospel?
• Answering the Call of God

Jesse Tree Ornament - The Altar

"And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD by God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word." 1 Kings 18:21 (KJB)

Patterns for the altar symbol used to represent Elijah on the Jesse tree.

painting suggestion for the altar

"And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down. And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:  And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed. And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time. And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.  And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.  Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.  And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God." 1 Kings 18:25 - 39 (KJB)

Above is a painted baker's clay version of the altar symbol
representing the story of Elijah and The Prophets of Baal.

God Incinerates The Altar by Superbook.

Watch the Superbook for children!

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Jesse Tree Ornament - The Colorful Coat

"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." Genesis 50:20 (KJB)

and

"Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him." Genesis 37: 3-4 (KJB)

Above are two patterns for you to print and cut around when crafting the colorful coat symbol.

Joseph's father Jacob (also called Israel) favored him
 and gave Joseph the coat as a gift; as a result, he was
 envied by his brothers, who saw the special coat as
an indication that Joseph would assume family
 leadership.

       Joseph's half-brothers were jealous of him; (Genesis 37:18-20) wherefore, in Dothan, most of them plotted to kill him, with the exception of Reuben, who suggested to have Joseph thrown into an empty cistern, intending to rescue Joseph himself. Unaware of this secondary intention, the others obeyed his first. Upon imprisoning Joseph, the brothers saw a camel caravan carrying spices and perfumes to Egypt, and sold Joseph to these merchants. Thereafter the guilty brothers painted goat's blood on Joseph's coat and showed it to Jacob, who therefore believed Joseph dead. (Genesis 37:12-35)
       Joseph suffered through slavery and imprisonment before God raised him up to a high position in Pharoah's court.
       He eventually saved both his immediate family and all of Israel from a deadly famine by moving them to Egypt before his father passed away.

"And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants. And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." Genesis 50: 15-20 (KJB)

Joseph's colorful coat made from baker's clay and acrylic paints.

 Lee Mead as Joseph

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The Gospel of John Clip Art Index

About: The genuineness of St. John's gospel has always been unanimously admitted by the Christian church. It is universally agreed that St. John published his gospel in Asia; and that, when he wrote it, he had seen the other three gospels. It is, therefore, not only valuable in itself, but also a tacit confirmation of the other three; with none of which it disagrees in any material point.

Sample clip art from The Gospel of John Index.

All graphics/illustrations/clip art on this web journal are free to download and use for personal art projects, church related hard copy or webpages. Images are not to be redistributed in any other collections of clip art online. Please include a link back to this web journal if you use the materials for web articles. Link back to http://christianclipartreview.blogspot.com

Sometimes multiple scripture using the same image are uploaded onto the same page. Keep looking on the post and you will find that there is a scripture from the Book of The Bible it is listed under here.

1.  Fidelity of His Cross or Throne - John 15:5
2. "Scripture Might Be Fulfilled" - John 19:36
3. All Tied Up! - John 8:34
4. "Let not your heart be troubled..." - John 14:1
5. Searching for Answers? - John 6:44 and John 9:39
6. The living bread - John 6:51
7. The Lady of The Lamp - light filled words
8. The Precious Lamb of God - John 1:29
9. In His Resurrection There is Hope! - John 16:33
10. A Purple Crown of Thorns - John 19:2
11. The Black Sacred Heart Paired with Sacred Scripture - John 2:19 and John 6:29
12. A New Palm Sunday Set - John 12:26 and John 12:12-15
13. Hands Sign, "Mercy Seat" - John 15:5
14. John 19:36 - decorative words
15. Your Word is TRUTH - John 17:17
16. Scriptures About Salvation: Fall Motifs - John 14:16 and John 3:16-17
17. Salvation Verses Paired With Fall Wreaths - John 1:12
18. Remember The Faithful in South Africa - John 3:3
19. Blue and Green Illuminated "N" - John 1:18
20. John 3:16 and 17 with illuminated letters
21. John 10:11 - church window
22. Illuminated scriptures about prayer - John 6:35
23. The staff of Moses - John 3:14
24. Illuminated quotes by Jesus about knowledge - John 6:45, John 15:15 and John 17:3
25. John baptizes Jesus
26. John 19:2,3 - Christ crucified and cross
27. "Now Fish For Men" painting - John 21:6
28. Tailpieces in floral motifs - John 14:27
29. The I AM statements of Jesus from The New Testament - John 19: 21, 11:25, 14:6, 15:1, 6:51, 10: 9, 10:11, 8:12
30. Illustrated and illuminated scripture for Lent - John 17:17
31. John 15:16 - Jesus quotes
32. John 14:2,3 - tiny birds
33. John 14:9 - pool reflections of Christ
34. "I Thirst!" - John 19:28
35. A Lighted Lamp - John 1:5
36. "Now fish for men" (black and white clip art version) - John 21
37. John 14:20 - communion wine and bread
38. The Word Became Human - John 1:14 (the adult version)
39. John 10:10 - the thief
40. Branches of The Vine - John 15:5
41. Loaves and Fish - John 6
42. "Love One Another" - John 13:34
43. John 15:13 - two hearts design
44. "I have overcome the world" John 16:33
45. The Word Made Flesh - John 1:14 (infant version)
46. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 - John 1:5
47. Ephesians 6: 14-15 - John 19:30
48. Bathe in The Pool Siloam - John 9:7
49.  Light of The World - John 8:12
50. The illuminating lamp light... - John 1:5 
51. I have given you an example..." John 13:14
52. Wedding at Cana... - John 2:1-11, John 2:3-5, and John 2:6-7
53. The Raising of Lazarus - John 11:43-44 
54. Lighthouse and John 8:12 
55. Wisdom for those who are foolish... -  John 3:16 and John 5:43
56. Who the Son sets free... - John 8:36
57. Jesus doesn't answer to men... - John 19:10
58. A shepherd with a staff... - John 10:1, 2
59. Jesus Meets With Nicodemus - John 3:1-21 
60. Wedding feast at Cana - John 2:1-12
61. The Grave Is Empty!  - John 20: 1-18
    

Questions and Answers About the Gospel of John:

1. The meaning behind "The mother whose hour is come..."
2. How did Jesus respond to the parents of a blind son?
3. Are any by nature "Children of God?" 
4. Woman at The Well or Woman of Samaria "God Is A Spirit"
   

Video by The Bible Project.

Page last updated on April 12th, 2024.

Jesse Tree Ornament - The Stump or The Root

"And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD" Isaiah 11:1-2

Patterns/templates for the Root of Jesse stump symbol.

Color suggestion for painting the stump symbol.

       Genealogy, signifies the line of descent, or a list of a person's ancestors. The common Hebrew expression for it is Sepher-Toledoth, "the Book of Generations." No nation was ever more careful to preserve their genealogies then the Jews. The sacred writings contain genealogies extended three thousand five hundred years backward. The genealogy of our Savior is deduced by the evangelists from Adam to Joseph and Mary, through a space of four thousand years and upwards. Matthew gives the line of descent through Joseph, his reputed or legal father, and Luke through Mary, his mother. In reading these genealogies we should remember that the Messiah was restricted by divine appointment:

   1. To the posterity of Abraham. 

   2. To the family of David. 

   3. To the existence of the line, the elder branch of the royal family, in short the very person who, had the dominion continued in the family of David, would have legally sat on the throne. 

• "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be." Genesis 49:10 (KJB)  Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
  
• "For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Acts 2:25-36 (KJB) Peter Preaches to The Crowd from the Berean Study Bible.

       The Jewish priests were obliged to produce an exact genealogy of their families, before they were admitted to exercise their function. Wherever placed, the Jews were particularly careful not to marry below themselves; and to prevent this, the originals of which were lodged at Jerusalem, to be occasionally consulted. These authentic monuments, during all their wars and persecutions, were taken great care of, and from time to time renewed. But, since the last destruction of their city, and the dispersion of the people, their ancient genealogies are lost. But to this the Jews reply, that either Elias, or some other inspired priest or prophet, shall come and restore their genealogical tables before Messiah's appearance; a tradition, which they ground on a passage in Nehemiah 7:64,65. --Calmet; Watson

Left, cut pieces of baker's clay ornament. Center, use a pencil to draw directly onto the dried clay pieces if you need to. Right, the finished project.

Baker's clay version of the Jesse Tree Stump ornament.

• Return To The Jesse Tree Index

Ancient Laurel Crown Symbolism

God The Father presents the victory laurel crown to Christ,
the Holy Spirit symbol is in the center of it.

The Divine Hand presenting a Crown to The Infant Jesus.
This crown is the form of an ancient Roman symbol.

Scripture References for Laurel Chrismons:

• "For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." Deuteronomy 20:4 (NIV)
• "For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.
  " 1 John 5:4 (NLT)
• “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 (ESV)

The Chi Rho (/ˈkaɪ ˈroʊ/; also known as chrismon) is one of the earliest forms
 of christogram, formed by superimposing the first two (capital)
letters—chi and rho (ΧΡ)—of the Greek word ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ (Christos)
 in such a way that the vertical stroke of the rho intersects the center of the chi.

 

A laurel crown refers to victory. It is an
ancient crown symbol, not as popular as
the medieval Christian crown symbols
depicted in Chrismon trees, but a crown
often attributed to Christ by ancient
 believers in Rome.

         A laurel wreath is a circular wreath made of interlocking branches and leaves of the bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), an aromatic broadleaf evergreen, or later from spineless butcher's broom (Ruscus hypoglossum) or cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus). In Greek mythology, Apollo is represented wearing a laurel wreath on his head. In ancient Greece wreaths were awarded to victors, both in athletic competitions, including the ancient Olympics made of wild olive-tree known as "kotinos" (κότινος), (sc. at Olympia) and in poetic meets; in Rome they were symbols of martial victory, crowning a successful commander during his triumph. Whereas ancient laurel wreaths are most often depicted as a horseshoe shape, modern versions are usually complete rings. Read more...

• Read about the diadem in ancient cultures
• Wreath it's use and meaning in ancient visual culture