Today’s reading includes Exodus 29:1-30:10, Matthew 26:14-46, Psalm 31:19-24, Proverbs 8:14-26.

To continue our discussion of the repetitive colors found in the scriptures, I wanted to take a look at the color scarlet.  The color scarlet is mentioned throughout the Bible.  It often refers to blood atonement and sacrifice.  It can also represent sin.  It is interesting that our sins of scarlet is atoned for by the scarlet blood of Jesus.

A scarlet cord was tied around the wrist of Zerah (Genesis 38:28-30).  It is used a great deal in the tabernacle (Exodus 25:4).  It is the color of the cord hung from Rahab’s window (Joshua 2:18).  It is a mark of prosperity (II Samuel 1:24; Proverbs 31:21).  It is the color of the robe placed on Jesus (Matthew 27:28), though scarlet and purple were not always distinguished (Mark 15:17).  It is color of the beast ridden by the harlot Babylon (Revelation 17:3) along with some of her garments (Revelation 17:4) and those of her followers (Revelation 18:16).

Yesterday we looked at Mark 15:17 which described the soldiers mocking Jesus and placing a purple robe on Him.  In Matthew 27:28 we find the same account but the robe is said to be scarlet.  This should not worry us too much.  Those two colors were not always distinguished.  And the truth is that God allowed both accounts to be included in His Word, for both colors represented Jesus very clearly.  Yes, the robe may have appeared purple, for He is the King of kings.  And yes, the robe may have appeared to be scarlet, for His scarlet blood was being shed for our scarlet sins.  Only the King of kings would have that kind of strength and authority.  And it is only by that strength and authority are we cured of our scarlet sin problem.  Let’s look at Isaiah 1:18 in two different translations.

ESV ““Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

NIV “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

I love both of those translations and both have words that shout truth to my soul.  Come, let us reason together.  God is saying, “Let’s reason this out.  Let’s talk reasonably.  Let’s listen to reason.  I’m got this figured out.  I’ve got this handled.  You can’t handle it, but I can.”

He also says, “Let’s settle the matter. Let’s settle it once and for all.  Let’s look to the Only One and the Only Way it can be settled.  You can’t settle it, but I can.”

In today’s reading we see many hits at the symbolism of scarlet.  Aaron and his sons are at the entrance of the Tabernacle and they are getting ready for an important event.  Aaron was getting dressed in his priestly garments, which we already know would have blue, purple, and scarlet thread woven throughout.  He is then anointed with oil and a sacrifice is made.  Blood from a bull is put on the horns of the altar and poured out at the base.  Then scarlet blood of a ram is splattered on the sides of the altar. Then another ram is slaughtered and this one is not applied to the altar.  This one is applied to Aaron and his sons before it is applied to the altar.

19 “Now take the other ram, and have Aaron and his sons lay their hands on its head. 20 Then slaughter it, and apply some of its blood to the right earlobes of Aaron and his sons. Also put it on the thumbs of their right hands and the big toes of their right feet. Splatter the rest of the blood against all sides of the altar.

                                                                        Exodus 29:19-20

Where was the blood to be applied to Aaron and his sons?  To the right earlobe, to the thumbs of the right hand, and to the big toes of their right feet.  Now, what in the world is that all about?  These parts of the body are vital as little as they are.  What is it to live without thumbs?  Take notice today as to what all you do with your thumbs.  And how difficult it is to walk without a big toe?  One does not understand the stability it brings to the body until you experience walking without it.  And then there is the earlobe.  It doesn’t appear that the earlobe has much function, however, it does.  The nerve endings are very sensitive and the shape may assist the pinna in capturing sound waves and help us hear better.  And let us not forget that the earlobe carried the markings of identification, as in the piercing of the ear of the slave when he chose to remain with his master forever.  These “little” parts of the human anatomy may not seem important, but they help to complete us, help us function to the best of our abilities.  And in these scriptures, we see that all parts of us, both big and small, both knowingly important and seemingly small, must be consecrated to God and set apart for His glory.

As we see in Exodus 29: 2, the bull and the two rams were to be without defects—perfect specimens, symbolic of the perfect Lamb of God to come.  There were several types of sacrifices mentioned here.  There was the sacrifice of loaves and oil, and there was the burnt offering of the bull.  When we get to the sacrifice of the rams, it is a peace-offering to God.  This shows the constant striving to reach a peaceful union of a sinful people to a holy God.  Interesting to note that there were two sacrificial systems in place throughout the Bible, just as there were two rams sacrificed as a peace offering.  There was the sacrificial system of the Old Testament which only provided temporary relief from our sin and peace with God.  Then, there was the sacrificial system in the New Testament which only included the sacrifice of the perfect Lamb of God.  It is an everlasting sacrificial system.  The only one that truly offers us eternal peace.

Note that the second ram was the one whose blood was applied to Aaron and his sons.  It was the second system, the New Testament system that is applied to us and our sin.  We “plead the blood of Jesus” over ourselves and our families.  We apply the blood in prayer, as we proclaim, “What can wash away my sin?  Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

The blood of the second ram was applied to their right earlobe, that they could clearly hear the voice of the One who lead them to the promise land.  It was also applied to the thumbs of their right hand—the one which is most commonly the dominant hand, that whatever they accomplished with their hands would glorify God.  And it was applied to the big toes of their right, dominant feet, that wherever they walked, wherever they went they would walk with God.  And so it is with us.

Lord, take our ears today, that we may be cleansed to hear Your Voice saying, “This is the way, walk in it.”

Lord, take our hands that whatever our hands find to do, we may do it for Your glory.

Lord, take our feet today that where ever we go we can walk in the light of Your Love and take it to others.

This is what I found in Benson Commentary as pertaining to Exodus 29:19.

There must be a peace-offering; it is called the ram of consecration, because there was more in this, peculiar to the occasion, than in the other two. In the burnt-offering, God had the glory of their priesthood, in this they had the comfort of it. And in token of a mutual covenant between God and them, the blood of this sacrifice was divided between God and them, part of the blood was sprinkled upon the altar round about, and part upon them, upon their bodies, and upon their garments. Thus the benefit of the expiation made by the sacrifice was applied and assured to them, and their whole selves, from head to foot, sanctified to the service of God. The blood was put upon the extreme parts of the body, to signify that it was all, as it were, enclosed and taken in for God, the tip of the ear and the great toe not excepted. And the blood and oil signified the blood of Christ, and the graces of the Spirit, which constitute and complete the beauty of holiness, and recommend us to God.

May we be consecrated to Him.  May we find our peace in the Prince of Peace.  May we be wholly His, from head to toe.

Today’s reading includes Exodus 28:1-43, Matthew 25:31-26:13, Psalm 31:9-18, Proverbs 8:12-13.

Yesterday we looked at the repetitive symbols of colors in our current readings.  We talked first of the color blue used in the curtains of the tabernacle and the robes of the priests.  The color blue represents heavenly things.  It can also represent the sky, heaven itself, holiness, and the Holy Spirit.  Another of the prominent colors displayed in the building of the tabernacle and the robes of the priests was the color purple.  This color was the most precious of ancient dyes made from a shellfish found in the Mediterranean Sea. A total of 250,000 mollusks (or more!) was required to make one ounce of the dye, which partly accounts for its great price. It was highly valued within the nation of Israel.

The color purple symbolizes kingship and royalty.  At times in ancient history, this color was banned from common use and was only allowed for royal family.  We all can picture kings in purple robes, which announced the prestige and authority of their position.  The color purple was used in several features of the tabernacle (Exodus 26:1, 27:16) and the temple (II Chronicles 2:14); the color of royal robes (Judges 8:26); the garments of the wealthy (Proverbs 31:22; Luke 16:19); the clothing of a harlot (Revelation 17:4); and the robe placed on Jesus (Mark 15:17, 20).

It occurred to me that the purple in the curtains and in the priests clothing represented two things, which still apply to us.  First, they pointed to the King of kings.  The purple was a reminder that they served a king—The King.  Secondly, it pointed to the fact that because they belonged to the King—were children of the King—they, too, were royalty.  And so, as children of God, we too must remember His royalty and realize our own.

9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

                                                                                                            I Peter 2:9-10 NIV

I love to read this verse in several different translations.  Here are a few of my favorites:

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests,^f a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

“Once you had no identity as a people;

now you are God’s people.

Once you received no mercy;

now you have received God’s mercy.”^g

                                                                                    1 Peter 2:9-10 NLT

9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

                                                                                      1 Peter 2:9, BSB

9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

                                                                                        1 Peter 2:9-10, ESV

There is only one reason we are chosen as royalty, and that is to proclaim to others the goodness of God, to proclaim the excellencies and virtues of Him who has called us.  We often live as spiritual paupers when our true identity is as a prince or princess.  We are made a prince or princess so that we may proclaim His goodness and point others to the King of kings.

Notice that neither the robes of the priests, nor of the people were solid purple.  There was a smathering of purple. My interpretation of that is one that we can remember every day.  We are not the big deal, He is the big deal.  We are not the king of our life, He is.  We are not the famous ones, He is the famous One—and we proclaim His fame to others that they may become royalty, too.

In Mark 15 we see that Jesus was mocked when a purple robe was placed on Him.

16 The soldiers took Jesus into the courtyard of the governor’s headquarters (called the Praetorium) and called out the entire regiment. 17 They dressed him in a purple robe, and they wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head. 18 Then they saluted him and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” 19 And they struck him on the head with a reed stick, spit on him, and dropped to their knees in mock worship. 20 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.

The intent of the soldiers was to mock, to ridicule, to taunt.  But in reality they were proclaiming who He really is.  He wore the mocking robe so we would not have to.  And this sacrifice for the love of His people showed His greatest authority, His greatest strength, His greatest power.  He is the King of all kings.  He could wear the full purple robe, we can only wear a smattering of purple, which points to Him.

Today, know who you are and Whose you are.  Don’t ask like a pauper. If you are a follower of Jesus, you are a royal priesthood.  Bravely dress in a the spiritual robe sprinkled with purple and point to the Only One worthy of wearing a purple robe.

Today’s reading includes Exodus 26:1-27:21, Matthew 25:1-30, Psalm 31:1-8, Proverbs 8:1-11.

One word comes to mind as I read today’s text.  The word is “details”.  Our God is a God of details.  We need not fret over the details of life, for He has it all determined exactly the way it should be.  We must trust Him in these details.  He is not only our Creator, but His creativity continues through the details of the world and the details of our lives.

Because He is a creative God of details, He uses patterns throughout His words.  If you stay alert to the patterns, the scripture will have a deeper meaning and your understanding will deepen, as well.  We have already seen the patterns of the holy numbers, especially three, seven, twelve, and forty.  And hopefully, recognizing these numbers has caused you to pause and think about the deeper meaning when those numbers are revealed.  God uses repetition in other ways, not just in the use of numbers.  When you see reoccurring descriptions, you may want to pay attention.  For example, think of all the colors which were repeated in Exodus when you read about the building of the tabernacle.

Make the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into them by a skilled worker.

                                                                                                Exodus 26:1

Over and over, God instructed those working on the embroidery on the curtains, as well as the clothing of the priests to use blue, purple, and scarlet.  Today, let’s look at the color blue.

Blue is a color which represents heavenly things.  It describes the sky, heaven, and the Holy Spirit.  When you see blue mentioned in the scriptures, pause and ask God what the deeper meaning is in His color choice.  Color often plays a great, yet subtle role in the symbolic meaning of the passage.  We see this in today’s reading and as you go forward in the scriptures you will continue to notice this repetition. In Numbers 15:37-38 we find:

37 Then the Lord said to Moses, 38 “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: Throughout the generations to come you must make tassels for the hems of your clothing and attach them with a blue cord. 39 When you see the tassels, you will remember and obey all the commands of the Lord instead of following your own desires and defiling yourselves, as you are prone to do.

The purpose of the blue cord was for them to be reminded of heavenly, holy things.  This world is not our home.  We should not be carnally minded, but spiritually minded.  We should offer ourselves each day to the Lord for the renewing of our minds, for the grace to think differently, see differently.  But sometimes we need a reminder.  The blue cord reminded them to think of heavenly and holy things—to think of the Holy One who sits on His holy throne in heaven.

Tomorrow we will talk of another one of the colors, but I want you to notice in the coming chapters that most of the colors are used in conjunction with and to compliment the other.  The common colors in the building of the tabernacle were blue, purple, and scarlet.  Contrast those colors to what we read in Revelation 17:3-4.

3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries.

Look at the details describing this vile symbolic woman.  What colors are mentioned?  Purple and scarlet.  What color is missing?  The color blue is absent.  This evil woman has the affluence of purple and she has the blood of the scarlet, which could represent her own sins or the blood she caused others to shed.  But she is missing the blue.  These colors attached to her were missing the holy and heavenly component.  This was evil, not holy.  Some scholars believe this reference of the two colors represents that affluence of the woman was obtained by evil means, not through the blessing of the Lord.

So, we can be encouraged at the creative, detailed traits of our mighty God.  Today, look about you.  Notice the details of the world around you.  Thank the Creator for these details and ask Him for wisdom in understanding.

Today’s reading includes Exodus 23:14-25:40, Matthew 24:29-51, Psalm 30:1-12, Proverbs 7:24-27

Yesterday’s reading included lots of “don’ts”. Don’t follow the crowd in doing wrong.  Don’t deny justice to your poor in their lawsuits.  Don’t accept a bribe.  And on and on and on.  Those who are skeptical may think, “Yep.  Here it comes.  Just as I thought.  Christianity is a set of rules and regulations of which I want no part.”  And the truth is, Christianity does have rules and regulations, or rather boundaries.  But boundaries are good things.  Boundaries create stability and banish confusion.  Boundaries create peace in place of disorder.  Boundaries actually satisfy our souls when we understand their purpose.  But if we think that God is just a God of “don’ts”, we don’t know Him very well.  In fact, keep reading in today’s passages and we find that God is a God of “do’s”.  Yes, many of the “do’s” are obligations, but many of the “do’s” are celebrations.  Our God is a God of celebration–  Or, to borrow the title of Tony Campolo’s book, the kingdom of God is a party.

In Exodus 23:14-19 we are introduced to three annual festivals that God said to celebrate: The Feast of Unleavened Bread, The Feast of the Harvest, and the Feast of the Ingathering.

When we get to Leviticus we will find out more details about these feasts and what they required and what they represented.  But today, I want to focus on the fact that God set these special days up as a lasting ordinance.  The feasts were about celebration.  The feasts were about remembering.  And the feasts were about looking forward.  It is significant that God called for feasts and fasts and celebration throughout the year.  There are Jewish holidays in the winter, spring, summer, and fall.  Some are somber, but all are celebratory.  So, our take away is that no matter the day, no matter the season, the matter the dark days, no matter the days filled with light and love and joy. No matter what has happened, no matter what will happen … joy comes in the morning. A celebration is right around the corner.  And through the knowledge of these days, we, too, can celebrate, remember, and look forward to the great things He has in store for us.  And, even more importantly, we can share our spirit of celebration with those around us.

When I was living in Costa Rica as a missionary, we held weekly Bible School events in a very poor refugee camp called Los Guidos.  After one of our Saturday Bible Schools, we found ourselves in the home of a precious lady named Alicia.  When she walked with her children to the great big tree in the center of sector 8, where we held our weekly program, she pulled me aside to invite us to come to her house after Bible school.  We gladly accepted the invitation, although I must confess that I was a bit nervous.  We did not know the lady very well, and at that point, we had never been invited to enter any of the dilapidated shacks, which covered the mountainside.

As soon as all of the other children had walked back to their own homes, we walked to Alicia’s home with her 3 children.  My eyes had to adjust a bit when we first entered the dirt-floor dwelling.  There was no electricity, so therefore the only light was from the doorway, and from a “window” which had been cut from the tin and wood-scrap walls.  The home was just one room, which was partitioned by sheets hanging across rope, which was attached to the ceiling.

Alicia excitedly welcomed us to her home.  I noticed that the dirt floor had been neatly swept, and all of her meager belongings were in order.  On the table, I noticed several broken glasses from several different patterns, a small plate full of saltine crackers, and a chipped pitcher of lemonade.  There were no chairs for us to sit, so we simply stood around the table and listened while she talked of her life and her love for the Lord.  Such sweet fellowship of believers we experienced that day!  She offered us the crackers and lemonade, which we received with a gratitude that had nothing to do with what was offered.  I was overcome with her pure hospitality.  Although we had been repeatedly warned against eating or drinking in that area, I took what was offered, and silently prayed the prayer that my missionary friend, Ben Pierce, had once shared with me: “Lord, I’ll get it down, if You keep it down!”

When we were thanking her for her invitation and hospitality, she joyfully responded, “Este es mi fiesta!”, “This is my party!”  A party given in honor of us. A party given with grace and elegance, yes elegance, despite the resources that she had to work with.  Such pure hospitality and generosity I have rarely, if ever, seen since that day.  And such conviction it brought to my soul.

How many times do I resist reaching out to others because my house is not perfect, or my dishes don’t match, or I don’t have time to create an extravagant meal?  And how many times do my guests leave my house feeling the joy of being honored, and the warmth of sweet fellowship.  After that day in Los Guidos, I am without excuses.  I need to share my “party”.  The kingdom of God is a party, to be shared by all with whom we are privileged to come in contact.  And scripture tells us that when we do it for “the least of these”, we do it unto Him. So whenever you reach out to anyone with a pure, loving heart, you are reaching up to Jesus. And that shows extravagant love for Him.

 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

                                                                                                            1 Peter 4:8-10

Today’s reading is Exodus 21:22-23:13, Matthew 24:1-28, Psalm 29:1-11, and Proverbs 7:6-23.

My thoughts, however, are still in Exodus 21.  The ten commandments had been given, and then other instructions were also given.  The ten commandments are applicable for our life today.  The next instructions had a lot of significance for the ancient times and customs.  And yet, they are still applicable for today. We just need to dig a little deeper and find the meaning behind the commandment, even if the details are not applicable in our current society.  For example, the first one mentioned in Chapter 21 refers to how one should treat his slaves.  Thankfully, slavery is no longer applicable to our current society, though, sadly, there are still forms of it in existence.  So, maybe the details of releasing a slave does not refer to our current life, however, if we dig a bit deeper, we can find a rich, spiritual application.

But the slave may declare, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children. I don’t want to go free.’  If he does this, his master must present him before God. Then his master must take him to the door or doorpost and publicly pierce his ear with an awl. After that, the slave will serve his master for life.

                                                                                    Exodus 21:5-6, NLT

Oddly enough, this is one of my most favorite passages.  When I first read it, I was in a time of deep spiritual growth.  I was being stretched and tested.  I had come to that precious place of surrender.  And during that time of surrender, I was introduced to a little tune based on this passage of scripture.  I remember where I was when I first heard it.  I was on a van in the middle of nowhere in Costa Rica.  I had been a missionary there for the past six months and an American team had come to visit for a week.  It was refreshing to my soul.  The leader was a dear friend and mentor, and while we were on a bumpy ride up the mountain, he sang the little jingle and told us about the verses it was based upon.  And the words spoke volumes of what my soul was feeling.  These were the lyrics:

Pierce my ear, O Lord, my God.

Take me to Your door this day.

I will serve no other God.

Lord, I’m here to stay.

Jesus is called the Great Shepherd and we are the sheep of His pasture.  So many lessons can be learned by studying the habits of sheep and shepherds.  Sheep are marked on the ear with the distinct mark of their shepherd. In Exodus 21: 2, we find a reflection of this distinct marking.  In the Sabbath year, which happened every seven years (notice that holy number!), all the slaves were set free.  But if a slave loved his master and wanted to stay with him forever, he would ask to be a slave for life.  The master would then take him to the doorpost and place his ear against the doorpost and with a sharp instrument, the master would pierce his ear, marking him forever as belonging to the master.

We have just studied of another blood on the doorpost.  The lamb whose blood was shed and placed on the doorpost so death would pass over.  And this led to freedom for the slaves.  Of course, this represented the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus, the only One who can conqueror death.  But it is a great and humble privilege that we can say, “Here am I, Lord! May my blood be added to the doorpost.  May I be a slave sleep forever aligned to the Great Shepherd.”

Do you have the distinct mark of the great Shepherd?  You have been bought with a great price, the blood of the Shepherd, who was willing to die for his sheep.  Do you belong to him?  If not, consider now what it would mean to surrender wholly and fully to Him.

Today, I thought I would give you a sneak preview of a new book I have written.  It is a fairy tale, really.  But it is based upon scriptural truths. It is not quite finished, but Chapter Six is applicable to today’s reading.  The book is an allegory about a young slave girl and her relationship with the King who set her free.  The name of the King is Tetelestai, which is a Greek word meaning, “It is finished” or “Fully Paid”.  The young slave girl is named Martus, which is a Greek word meaning, “A witness”.   I hope you enjoy!

Chapter Six

Twenty-four hours seemed to both fly by and, at the same time, pass at a snail’s pace.  But then it was time.  Martus  made her way quickly, but quietly, to the Great Hall.  King Tetelestai was there alone.  He smiled as she entered, calming her nerves.  However, though the smile was genuine, he had a seriousness about him that had not been present in the garden.  This seriousness did not scare her, but rather, caused her to be alert and at attention.  She came closer to the King before either of them spoke.  He was the first to greet.

“Welcome, my girl.  I knew you would come.  I am all ready for you.  Are you ready, my Martus?”

“Yes, sir, I am ready.”

“Well, let us begin.”   With that, the King reached into the deep pockets of his robe and brought forth another scroll.  This brought the memory of the other scroll to her mind, and Martus felt thankful that today was today and not yesterday, or yestermonth, or yesteryear.  Today was today.  Today was the day.  And she felt no fear.

The King cleared his throat and then began to read the following decree:

This day you will become a Gatherer.  You will gather my children—not flesh of my flesh children, but soul of my soul and spirit of my spirit children.  Some are in deep dark places and they think I have forgotten and forsaken them.  I haven’t.  Find my children and tell them:  I am coming soon for them.  In time, maybe time and a half, and then I will come and take them out of the dark places and carry them to the high places, filled with light.  But tell them to remember until then, they are not forgotten, they are not alone.

            Others, too, are my spirit of my spirit and soul of my soul children; they just don’t know it yet.  They need someone to bring that truth to their attention.  It is not your responsibility what they do with the truth.  You simply must state the truth.  It is yours to hold out, not yours to force.  It is yours to extend, not yours to apply.  They must receive.  And they will, in time.  Maybe time and a half.

            Gather my children.  Show them truth.  Be strong.  Be courageous.  Remember.  And Go in peace, for you are not alone.

“Do you, my girl, have anything to say—or to sing?” he said with a twinkle in his eye.

“Yes, my King, I have a new song for you.  Would you like to hear it now?”

“Oh, yes!  Please sing!”

And with that the girl began to hum a beautiful tune, which was both joyful and serious.   And then she added words to her joyful noise.  This is what she sang:

“Pierce my ear,

Oh my great king.

Put in place

Your royal ring.

So all may know

And all may see.

Always, only,

I serve thee.”

Martus sang this simple verse through several times. Each time her voice grew stronger and lovelier.  As she finished the last note, she looked at the King and saw great pleasure in his face.  And she felt great pleasure in her heart, as well.

“Perfect, my girl!  That was beautiful and perfect!  Thank you!”

And without another word, the King brought a small knife with a very pointed tip out of his great pocket.  He took her hand and led her to the doorpost of the great hall.  Gently, he placed his hand on her head and turned it slightly to the right.  His gentle hand then pressed the lobe of her left ear flat against the doorpost.

Martus quickly closed her eyes tightly shut and clenched her teeth and pressed her fingernails into the palm of her hand, hoping that the pain of that gesture would lessen the pain of the piercing.

The King lifted the sharp, pointed knife and brought it close to Martus’ ear.  With one swift motion, the king pierced her ear.  Blood began to trickle down her neck and she felt the warm sticky moisture of it.  Tears burned her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away, although a lone tear found its way out of her left eye and began to fall slowly down her left cheek.

The King then took a cloth from his deep pocket and gently wiped the blood from her neck and with the cloth in hand placed gentle pressure on the wound until the bleeding stopped.  He then wiped the knife clean and placed both the cloth and the knife back into his great pocket.  Then, reaching into his other pocket, he pulled out a beautiful velvet box.   In one hand, he held the velvet box, close to her face for her to see.  With the other hand, he gently wiped the lone tear away until her face was free of the salty tear.

He then opened the velvet box to reveal a simple, yet elegant, diamond earring.  It lay in a gold setting.  The King lifted the earring from the velvet box, then with one hand closed the box on its hinge and slipped it back into his great pocket.  With both hands, he then placed the diamond earring into her newly pierced ear.

Martus felt a dull throbbing in her ear, but she didn’t mind.  The worst part was over, and she felt happy and peaceful and content.  The king once again cleared his throat and said in a loud voice the following words:

“Diamonds are the most solid and durable gem.  Let this be a reminder of how solid and durable is my love for you and my confidence in you.

The gold surrounding the diamond is pure and beautiful.  It has been tested in the great furnace of the castle and shaped to perfectly surround the diamond, which was chosen just for you.  May this be a reminder, that though the road may not always be easy, though at times it may feel as if you are walking through a refining fire, it is right for you to walk in it.  This journey will bring out your purity and beauty, as well.

My Martus, you are now a Gatherer.  You are in the company of many great ones, fellow Gatherers who have all had their Day of Piercing.”

With that last sentence, Martus heard a great stirring and shuffling of chairs and feet.  And both she and the king looked up, he with a great smile, she with a look of surprise.  All around the great hall rose many fellow Gatherers, all identified with a unique diamond earring in their left ear.  There were old ones, and young ones.  There were large ones, and small ones.  There were ones with dark, ebony skin and those with caramel colored tones.  There were those with fair complexions, dotted with freckles, and those with olive colored skin.  But all had an earring.  All shared the common status of Gatherer.  And when all had risen from their chairs, which had moments ago been concealed by the great stone railing, a thunderous applause filled the Great Hall.  There was clapping and cheering and laughing and other sounds of great joy.  The surprised look on Martus’ face then turned to a great smile, which lit up her whole face.

Then the King raised his hand, and everyone grew silent once again.  The King looked at Martus,and then back at the other Gatherers.  He then said in a loud voice, “Martus will begin her first Journey tomorrow.  But tonight, we celebrate!”

They all moved into the largest dining room in the castle.  A feast was already prepared.  The celebration lasted well into the night, with all feasting and laughing and having a grand time, especially Martus.  And the King never left her side.