The Ardent Dreams of a Destiny Devotions – Anna Thomas Brief Concept Review Pictures 1, 2, 3 & 4 Picture 5

Creation and Its Concepts – OT-1

Creation and Its Concepts – OT-1

Hands lifting the earth out of hazy mist — God created the heavens and the earth.

Halo of white light circling the earth — God created all things good.

Fingers opened on the right hand — God relinquished the earth to humankind as a gift. 

White links attached to the arms and globe — God binds himself to his creation.

Creation and Its Concepts – OT-1

Lettered banner flying on the earth — God claims ownership of all creation.

Figure grasping staff — Humanity, too, is owned by God.

Banner furling around figures — Fashioned and owned by God, humankind has freedom only within limits.

Halo of light behind figures’ heads — Male and female are fashioned in God’s image.

Creation and Its Concepts – OT-1

Figures holding crowns — Fashioned in God’s image, people are the very crown of God’s creation and have been given four basic responsibilities toward the earth on which they dwell:

First jewel in crown —To replenish the earth

Second jewel in crown —To subdue the earth

Third jewel in crown —To till and keep the earth

Fourth jewel in crown — To have dominion over the earth

Divine Intentions – OT- 2

Divine Intentions – OT- 2

Notes extended from heavens — God ushered humankind into a domain where it might have harmony with all things.

Four fingers below note bar — The harmony which God coveted for humankind was fourfold in nature:

Raised arms of central figures — Harmony with God

Banner enfolding central figures — Harmony with self

Divine Intentions – OT- 2 Clasped arms of central

figures — Harmony with others

Placid and peaceful lake scene — Harmony with nature

Central figures with faces lifted upward — Prevailing harmony was contingent upon obedience to God.

Halos behind central figures’ heads — Fashioned in the fullness of God’s image, male and female in Eden had the capacity for a perfect response to God’s will.

Disharmony – OT-3

Disharmony – OT-3

Broken note — The intent of God that the inhabitants of the world should dwell in a domain where they would have harmony with all things is mutilated and maligned.

Figure facing away from outstretched hand — The Edenic account portrays that dilemma as the direct aftereffect of disobedience to God.

Outstretched arms of central figure — Discontent and unsatisfied with the limited freedom (Gen. 2:16-17) demanded by God, humanity (Gen. 5:1-2) revolts against God.

Disharmony – OT-3

Space between central figure and outstretched hand — Disobedience and revolt issues in separation and estrangement from God.

Painful countenance on central figure’s face — Estrangement issues in disharmony with God.

Broken note penetrating flesh — Estrangement issues in disharmony with self.

Broken note striking second figure — Estrangement issues in disharmony with others.

Disharmony – OT-3

Broken note penetrating earth — Estrangement issues in disharmony with nature.

Cracked earth and parched ground — Estrangement issues in the misuse of creation.

Yoke-like appearance of broken note — Disobedience, revolt, separation, and estrangement leaves God’s created ones carrying the burden of guilt and a “sense of guilt.”

Disharmony – OT-3

Large hand extended in beckoning position — God does not abandon sinful people. A new promise is given.

Pronouncement of a Destiny-OT-4

Pronouncement of a Destiny-OT-4

THE DESTINY

“. . . I will bless you . . .”Shaft of light strikes prism.

“. . . so that you will be a blessing.”Light diffuses and passes through kneeling figure.

“. . . by you all the families of the earth shall bless themselves.”

Rays of light pass through kneeling figure and extend over the whole earth.

Ardent Dreams of a Destiny -OT-5

Ardent Dreams of a Destiny -OT-5

Figure sitting on rock ledge (lower right) — Israel

Ring encircles figure — Israel is set apart by God to carry out a unique destiny upon the earth.

Figure surveys scenes in misty clouds — Israel contemplates some of the promises, disciplines, and circumstances which belong to its future.

Ardent Dreams of a Destiny -OT-5

Land scene (lower left) — Covenant entails promise of a land.

Kingdom scene (middle left) — Covenant entails promise that seed of Abraham will multiply, and Israel will become a great kingdom.

Small figures encircled by ring (upper left) — Israel is called to maintain ethnic separation.

Ardent Dreams of a Destiny -OT-5

Small figure separated from circled figures (upper left) — God brings about separation within families to ensure fulfillment of the destiny.

Circled figure and land scene (lower left) — Divine circumstances lead Israel to geographic separation.

Prism symbol — Land, kingdom, and separation concepts — all are understood to be means to an end which will permit Israel to become the blessing which it was called to be.

Deuteronomy 7:6-10

Promise of Land Genesis 12:7 Genesis 13:14-17 Genesis 15:18-21 (boundaries

identified)

Promise of Land (cont.) Genesis 23:17-20 Genesis 47:29-31 Genesis 50:24-26

Promise of Seed Genesis 15:5 Genesis 16 – Hagar and Ishmael Genesis 18 & 21 – Birth of Isaac

Command to be Separate Ethnic Separation Separation Within Family

Separation Within Families

Abraham Lot13:8-9 13:10-1313:14-18 19:15-1614:18-2014:21-24

Isaac Ishmael15:2-5 16:7-1217:19-21 17:1824:1-6 21:15-21

Jacob Esau27:28-29 25:29-3428:1-5 26:3428:16-22 27:4132:24-3035:2-4

Command to be Separate (cont.) Geographic Separation

Promise of Blessing