Deer
Children's sermon
Learning From the Lizard
Bible Animal Object Lessons
Object:
A Longing For God
As a deer longs for a stream of cool water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for you, the living God (Psalm 42:1-2 TEV).
Although the word "deer" does not occur in the King James Version of the Bible, there are references to "hart" (eleven times), "hind" (ten times), and "fallow deer" (two times). Roebuck and roe most likely refer to the gazelle, which is discussed later.
At the present time deer are nearly extinct in the Palestine area. In biblical times there is evidence of three types of deer, the red deer, the fallow deer, and the roe deer. Deer meat was considered a great delicacy and was plentiful in King Solomon's sophisticated court kitchen (1 Kings 4:23).
The insightful Hebrew authors showed a remarkable ability to observe the deer's characteristics and habits. They stressed the deer's beauty and stately carriage which turned their thoughts to noble heroes. Habakkuk says: "The Sovereign Lord gives me strength. He makes me sure-footed as a deer and keeps me safe on the mountains" (Habakkuk 3:19 TEV). Another symbolic statement from the Song of Solomon speaks of the bridegroom as a "... young stag upon rugged mountains" (Song of Solomon 2:17).
The deer's leaping ability and sure-footedness was clearly observed and provides the setting for a famous passage in Isaiah in which he speaks of the joy of the redeemed: "The lame man will leap up like a deer, and those who could not speak will shout and sing!" (Isaiah 35:6 TLB).
Having observed the dark, gentle eyes and graceful limbs of the roe deer, the writer of Proverbs compares this to the charm of a woman: "So be happy with your wife and find your joy with the girl you married -- pretty and graceful as a deer. Let her charms keep you happy; let her surround you with her love" (Proverbs 5:18-19 TEV).
The most familiar passage about deer is that given for the opening, Psalm 42:1-2. With the picture of a thirsty deer the writer has successfully dramatized the intense thirst for spiritual refreshment. In a country where droughts are prevalent during the hot summer this truth is especially meaningful.
Lessons From The Deer
Hunger and thirst for righteousness. Food and water provide physical satisfaction, but only the Living Water from our Lord can provide the inner satisfaction whereby we will never thirst again.
Prayer
Creator God, the scriptures speak in colorful pictures of the gracefulness and swiftness of the deer. May we be swift to do your will and graceful in our service of others. Forgive us for so often depending on our strength alone. May our longing for you find full satisfaction in your love for us through Jesus our Lord. Yes, Lord. Amen!
As a deer longs for a stream of cool water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for you, the living God (Psalm 42:1-2 TEV).
Although the word "deer" does not occur in the King James Version of the Bible, there are references to "hart" (eleven times), "hind" (ten times), and "fallow deer" (two times). Roebuck and roe most likely refer to the gazelle, which is discussed later.
At the present time deer are nearly extinct in the Palestine area. In biblical times there is evidence of three types of deer, the red deer, the fallow deer, and the roe deer. Deer meat was considered a great delicacy and was plentiful in King Solomon's sophisticated court kitchen (1 Kings 4:23).
The insightful Hebrew authors showed a remarkable ability to observe the deer's characteristics and habits. They stressed the deer's beauty and stately carriage which turned their thoughts to noble heroes. Habakkuk says: "The Sovereign Lord gives me strength. He makes me sure-footed as a deer and keeps me safe on the mountains" (Habakkuk 3:19 TEV). Another symbolic statement from the Song of Solomon speaks of the bridegroom as a "... young stag upon rugged mountains" (Song of Solomon 2:17).
The deer's leaping ability and sure-footedness was clearly observed and provides the setting for a famous passage in Isaiah in which he speaks of the joy of the redeemed: "The lame man will leap up like a deer, and those who could not speak will shout and sing!" (Isaiah 35:6 TLB).
Having observed the dark, gentle eyes and graceful limbs of the roe deer, the writer of Proverbs compares this to the charm of a woman: "So be happy with your wife and find your joy with the girl you married -- pretty and graceful as a deer. Let her charms keep you happy; let her surround you with her love" (Proverbs 5:18-19 TEV).
The most familiar passage about deer is that given for the opening, Psalm 42:1-2. With the picture of a thirsty deer the writer has successfully dramatized the intense thirst for spiritual refreshment. In a country where droughts are prevalent during the hot summer this truth is especially meaningful.
Lessons From The Deer
Hunger and thirst for righteousness. Food and water provide physical satisfaction, but only the Living Water from our Lord can provide the inner satisfaction whereby we will never thirst again.
Prayer
Creator God, the scriptures speak in colorful pictures of the gracefulness and swiftness of the deer. May we be swift to do your will and graceful in our service of others. Forgive us for so often depending on our strength alone. May our longing for you find full satisfaction in your love for us through Jesus our Lord. Yes, Lord. Amen!
