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OPINION
April 15, 2022 • 7
Reflections: Symbolism connects us with the Old Testament
BY CINDY THOMAS Staff Writer
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tudying Leviticus has been eye-opening. Although the life, death and resurrection of Jesus eliminated the need for the Old Testament sacrificial system (not the moral law, by the way, according to Jesus), it’s fascinating to see how laws and rules pointed to Jesus and continue to encourage Christians.
Just one of many examples of symbolism is in Leviticus 24. Requirements for certain offerings, the continuous lamplight, and the table of bread included “fine flour” and purest olive oil, as opposed to those used in more common purposes, as reminders of God’s presence. The process of making flour, of course, begins with crushing a grain, grinding it between millstones. “Fine flour,” though, added extra levels of grinding, plus shaking and sifting to eliminate any contaminants or hard pieces. Think of the prophecy in Isaiah 53 that the Messiah would be bruised and broken, and Jesus’ words, “This is my body, broken for you.” In other words, the crushing and bruising Jesus endured
produced perfect atonement before God. About hearing and obeying his teachings, he reminds us, “I am the Bread of life.” Jesus knew his followers, then and now, would experience crushing and pressing. Jesus said Peter would be “sifted like wheat,” but Peter went on to become a leader in the early Church. Multiple New Testament passages tell Christians not to be surprised by trouble. Symbolism is equally evident in the pure olive oil used for anointing the high priest and keeping the lamp burning in the tabernacle. To produce oil, olives are pressed and crushed, also seen in the Isaiah prophecy. Jesus said of himself, “I am the Light of the world,” and urged his follow-
ers to light the way for people to turn to Him. The olive branch was also a symbol of peace, ultimately pointing to the Prince of Peace. The oil’s significance continues with the Holy Spirit’s presence within the believer, lighting the way for the Christian life. Jesus said, “He [the Spirit] will guide you into all truth.” It also lights the way for others as Christians share the good news. The importance of this is seen in the parable of the bridesmaids whose job was to keep lamps lighted while awaiting the bridegroom. The foolish ones allowed their lamps to go out, just as Christians who do not daily practice listening to the Holy Spirit’s guidance may find themselves woeful-
ly unprepared to resist temptation, persevere despite persecution, and witness to family and friends. We mustn’t be surprised to be refined by crushing and pressing. Scripture is intentional (2 Timothy 3:16), so don’t rush through those Old Testament chapters; rather, allow them to illuminate the path. Christians in many countries have experienced terrible persecution, and freedoms are under attack in the United States. Shaking, sifting, and pressing are not comfortable, but they produce fine flour and pure oil in our lives to bring the Holy Spirit’s presence and the good news of Jesus into a fallen world, until the day we stand in the presence of God.
Been Thinkin’ About... The blue mountain beneath the moon
BY JOSHUA HESTON StateoftheOzarks Media & Design
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aster has two color palettes for me these days (and this makes sense when you figure out I think in colors almost as much as I think in words): The color palette
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Historically a recession is near when the yields invert or flop, where the shorter-term yield pays more than the longer-term rate, because the near-term is riskier than the long term. A yield curve inversion is an anomaly that happened on 03/31/22 and again on 04/04/22 and in both cases, it was the 2-year Treasuries yielding more than 10-year notes according to CNBC. So, here’s my take. I agree that
with which we all grew up. And the color palette I’ve made for my own. No surprise, I like mine better. You know the colors of which I speak — the pastels of Easter — jelly beans, marshmallow peeps, little Easter dresses and big Easter hats. ’Tis the season of cream yellows, delicate pinks, pastry lavenders and sea foam greens. There are frolicking egg hunts, a roasted ham shank, the sometimes terrifying coconut-encrusted chocolate bunny cake with big candy eyes staring balefully into your four-year-old soul as you open the refrigerator door to fetch the jar of olives… Okay, I’m
fairly sure that last memory is mine alone. But you get the idea. Eastertide often comes with its own social impositions. Sit tight in your nice clothes. Wait for the right time before digging into your Easter basket. And by the end of a day possibly made interminable by an Easter service sunrise, there’s often little more than a picked-over ham bone and some jellybeans to remind one of the sacred tidings. I’m not big on social imposition. And so, perhaps a handful of years ago, I sought council and began my own traditions, mostly on Good Friday.
Going to the mountains as dusk fell and an indigo sky cradled an ivory-tide moon. Crystal water splashing beneath my boots. The sarvisberry blossoms twinkling white like fairy lights in the understory of the dark forest. There is something very old and new and sacred and earthy about the blue mountain beneath the moon, contradictions that must be felt before they can possibly be understood. Gray-green granite and lichen eons old, cycles of wildflower, the little fresh pink anemones and purple-hued verbena, returning each for a brief
season, shining, childlike beneath a spring forever young and forever passing and dying in the cycle of time. The creamy plum blossoms have opened as well, with a smell as sweet as one can possibly imagine. And in that moment, a holy sense of peace that passes all understanding. And a long trek home, to warmth and wine and cherry cheese blintzes. Very old traditions made anew beneath candlelight and surrounded with friendship and laughter. Even amid the night.
inversions are genuine warning signs for recessions, but I think it can take years before a recession happens. A recession could be coming but I don’t see it happening this year. The last six times the 2-year and 10-year part of the yield curve inverted, on average a recession came a year and a half later. That’s on average, one came six months after the inversion but another time the recession took almost three years to happen. I think we need to stay invested because there is a potential return
to be made before and a potential good return to be made after the recession. We don’t slow our cars down because there’s a speed bump a couple of miles away. We become more watchful and ready to slow down as we see more signs saying the speed bump is close. Like the bumper stickers from the ‘80s, “Recessions Happen.” There were 12 recessions in the 20th century and so far, the 21st century has had three recessions according to thebalance.com. Most investors will experience multiple recessions in their lifetime.
The inverted yield curve, inflation and the Fed’s rate hikes are all concerning, but the American consumer and the labor market seem strong which will make the economy continue to grow this year. This would be a good time to meet with your financial adviser to make sure you are invested in the right amount of risk for your comfort level and goals. I hate speedbumps and stoplights and will drive a long way out of my way to avoid them. I don’t use that alley that my
son uses because of my hatred of speedbumps, but they don’t bother him. He thinks speedbumps are just part of the drive and stays focused on where he is going. Financial recessions are a lot like speedbumps, just part of the trip. If handled correctly they don’t mess up your journey. Thankfully his driving is getting a lot better too. Have a blessed week! https://www.steadfastwealth. net/richard-baker 2760 East Sunshine St. Springfield, MO 65804
