Make Them Like Tumbleweed O God
January 26, 2021 6:15 PM
Cryptic1
On 1.25.21 I had a flash vision of a strange looking object, like a rolled up dustball. It was an odd sight and at first I thought I was seeing things. But then the word ‘tumbleweed’ came to mind. When I googled ‘tumbleweed’ I saw a picture of the very image I was given. The Holy Spirit will use whatever He wills to get His point across.
tumbleweed – a plant that breaks away from its roots and is driven about by the wind as a light rolling mass, scattering seeds as it goes (Britannica.com)
I was led to the following post from the site ‘different spirit.org’ titled ‘God’s deliverance of Israel’. The excerpt follows.
‘There is a plant that grows in arid areas of Israel that the Bible uses as a prophetic picture of what is to happen in the future. The plant is the “galgal”. The galgal starts growing as an innocuous looking weed. However, unseen below ground, a huge root structure is forming. The galgal matures into a large, rounded shrub, covered with vicious thorns. It grows in clumps and is virtually impenetrable when fully grown. For the landowner it looks disastrous. And then a miracle takes place. Overnight the plant dies. The stem separates from the root at ground level and the lightest breeze blows the “tumbleweed” away. This is the image that the Bible uses of those who oppose God’s purposes.
The plant “galgal” is mentioned twice in the Old Testament – once in Psalm 83 and again in Isaiah 17.
In Psalm 83 the context is the threat of the immediate enemies of Israel.Psalm 83 1 O God, do not remain silent; do not turn a deaf ear, do not stand aloof, O God. 2 See how your enemies growl, how your foes rear their heads. 3With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish.4 “Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation, so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.”
Later comes the prophet’s call to make those enemies like the galgal. However, a few verses further on, we also see the redemptive purposes of God in the deliverance of Israel. It is “so that men will seek your name”.
13 Make them like tumbleweed, my God, like chaff before the wind. 14 As fire consumes the forest or a flame sets the mountains ablaze, 15 so pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your storm. 16 Cover their faces with shame, LORD, so that they will seek your name. 17 May they ever be ashamed and dismayed; may they perish in disgrace. 18 Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD—that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.”
Psalm 83 parallels much of what is going on in the nation of America now. It is also a timely prayer to call upon the Lord in the face of adversity and in the face of our enemies.
Scripture Reference:
Psalm 83 1 O God, do not remain silent; do not turn a deaf ear, do not stand aloof, O God. 2 See how your enemies growl, how your foes rear their heads. 3With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish.4 “Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation, so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.” 5 With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against you— 6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites, 7 Byblos, Ammon and Amalek, Philistia, with the people of Tyre. 8 Even Assyria has joined them to reinforce Lot’s descendants. 9 Do to them as you did to Midian, as you did to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon, 10 who perished at Endor and became like dung on the ground. 11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, 12 who said, “Let us take possession of the pasturelands of God.” 13 Make them like tumbleweed, my God, like chaff before the wind. 14 As fire consumes the forest or a flame sets the mountains ablaze, 15 so pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your storm. 16 Cover their faces with shame, LORD, so that they will seek your name. 17 May they ever be ashamed and dismayed; may they perish in disgrace. 18 Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD—that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.
