Theophany Series
A theophany is an encounter where someone sees God.
These pieces were a part of a women's retreat with 1st Evangelical Free Church Moline, IL
These pieces were a part of a women's retreat with 1st Evangelical Free Church Moline, IL
Encountering God - Isaiah
$600
Reflections by the Artist on
Encountering God- Isaiah
Isaiah sees God. He finds himself in the midst of the throne room of the LORD of hosts, surrounded by heavenly being shouting earthquake inducing praises to their king: the king who clothes are so regal and luxurious that they fill the depth of the temple boasting that his resources are limitless. The air itself is thick with smoke indicating the ceaseless offerings owed to the most holy one of all, Isaiah’s own God, the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah sees himself. He sees the tattered dirty semblance of his clothes, but more than the dirt on his robes it is the filth of his life that he recognizes. And to his horror he sees that he is merely one in a crowd. His entire people, his friends, family, nation, and everyone he sees or has seen is just as dirty, just as unholy as he now realizes himself to be.
But God chose him. God sought him out. Revealed himself to Isaiah and cleaned him up. By his atoning power he prepared Isaiah for the task before him. Because the dirty filthy crowd he was in the middle of, needed to hear a word from heaven.
God’s word would not be easy to carry. It was a difficult, unwanted account of their sin and the punishment to come. God’s justice would be vindicated, but there was hope in the message as well. He would save for himself a spattering of people. He would not allow the filth of the world to swallow his precious children. He would provide a way and ensure healing for those who would hear, who would see, who would turn back to him.
S. Jewell S. McGhee October 2011
Encountering God- Isaiah
Isaiah sees God. He finds himself in the midst of the throne room of the LORD of hosts, surrounded by heavenly being shouting earthquake inducing praises to their king: the king who clothes are so regal and luxurious that they fill the depth of the temple boasting that his resources are limitless. The air itself is thick with smoke indicating the ceaseless offerings owed to the most holy one of all, Isaiah’s own God, the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah sees himself. He sees the tattered dirty semblance of his clothes, but more than the dirt on his robes it is the filth of his life that he recognizes. And to his horror he sees that he is merely one in a crowd. His entire people, his friends, family, nation, and everyone he sees or has seen is just as dirty, just as unholy as he now realizes himself to be.
But God chose him. God sought him out. Revealed himself to Isaiah and cleaned him up. By his atoning power he prepared Isaiah for the task before him. Because the dirty filthy crowd he was in the middle of, needed to hear a word from heaven.
God’s word would not be easy to carry. It was a difficult, unwanted account of their sin and the punishment to come. God’s justice would be vindicated, but there was hope in the message as well. He would save for himself a spattering of people. He would not allow the filth of the world to swallow his precious children. He would provide a way and ensure healing for those who would hear, who would see, who would turn back to him.
S. Jewell S. McGhee October 2011
Paul encountered God
$600
Reflections by the Artist on
Paul encountered God
Saul was a passionate man, committed and single-minded. Before he encountered Jesus he was rushing running, beating, binding, ravaging those he thought were blaspheming God’s name; he was stopped. He was thrown to the ground and forced to face the God he thought he was helping.
God blinded him so that he could finally see clearly. He finally heard God’s voice though he’d been studying God’s Scriptures his whole life. He finally stopped his raging.
Instead of acting before God, he waited for God. He waited blind and hungry for 3 days until God sent a new, gentler, word to him.
Gentle, but not easy. “I will show him how much he will have to suffer for my name.”
But in the face of his encounter with Jesus, God’s Messiah, the very one he was working so hard for. He was not intimidated by his future.
He had burned so hot, like a fire eating kindling. But now his purpose and mission were clear and his heart was rooted, like a tree planted purposely a constant source of water. Bearing fruit and spreading seeds like God designed.
After he encountered God, he confounded everyone. There was only one explanation. When you encounter God, when you really see God, you are changed.
S. Jewell S. McGhee 10-08-11
Paul encountered God
Saul was a passionate man, committed and single-minded. Before he encountered Jesus he was rushing running, beating, binding, ravaging those he thought were blaspheming God’s name; he was stopped. He was thrown to the ground and forced to face the God he thought he was helping.
God blinded him so that he could finally see clearly. He finally heard God’s voice though he’d been studying God’s Scriptures his whole life. He finally stopped his raging.
Instead of acting before God, he waited for God. He waited blind and hungry for 3 days until God sent a new, gentler, word to him.
Gentle, but not easy. “I will show him how much he will have to suffer for my name.”
But in the face of his encounter with Jesus, God’s Messiah, the very one he was working so hard for. He was not intimidated by his future.
He had burned so hot, like a fire eating kindling. But now his purpose and mission were clear and his heart was rooted, like a tree planted purposely a constant source of water. Bearing fruit and spreading seeds like God designed.
After he encountered God, he confounded everyone. There was only one explanation. When you encounter God, when you really see God, you are changed.
S. Jewell S. McGhee 10-08-11