Roy Rogers and the Riders of the Purple Sage made the song Tumbling Tumbleweed popular in the 40’s. Israel preceded them by centuries with its biblical version as referred to by the psalmist as he pleads the case in metaphor to describe Israel’s prayer for deliverance from their oppressors by praying they’d blow away.
Psalm 83:13
O my God, make them like
whirling dust, like chaff
before the wind.
The OT is written in Hebrew and the word for whirling is gulgal meaning "a wheel", "a rolling thing". The Bible uses this plant .
The plant often rolls to a wet spot, is moistened, expands and appears to be resurrected, hence the name Resurrection Plant. Hebrew legend states that a rolling plant became green and blossomed again at Jesus’ birth. The event is commemorated ever since. Monks of the Jericho area call it Rose Jericho or Mary’s Flower.
It is an annual thistle with tiny white blossoms and leaves, and many branches. At first prostrate and dry, the stems harden upon maturing and the plant breaks away from its heavy taproot. When several of them stick together in great heaps they resemble grotesque balloon-men.
I'm all for unity but how do I reconcile myself to a thorny wild plant that has the capability of morphing itself back to life. Ah. There it is, as the common name Resurrection Plant suggests, isn't that just what I want for me and all those who I touch in my life? After a rough and tumble life and exposing my barbs to those around me, wouldn't rolling to a new spot and start life anew ala resurrection be just the ticket? The metaphor is striking.
God is amazing. Creation is amazing. Plants are amazing
Many blessings to you and yours,
Vern Schanilec
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