Fear not, you worm...

There's a verse in Isaiah 41 that has messed with my head for a long time!  You see, in this portion of scripture, God is busy assuring Israel of His help, comfort and deliverance.  He repeatedly encourages them, telling them not to be afraid of the future and that He is holding them.  Then, in verse 14 He comes out with this, "Fear not, you worm Jacob...!"  Why would God say that to them?!

So, I went searching and found the meaning of the word... The original word (Towla) according to Strong's is:  worm, scarlet stuff, crimson.  Now this gets really good, so keep reading...  Listen to what is written as explanation to the above meaning: 

"the worm "coccus ilicis" ++++ When the female of the scarlet worm species was ready to give birth to her young, she would attach her body to the trunk of a tree, fixing herself so firmly and permanently that she would never leave again. The eggs deposited beneath her body were thus protected until the larvae were hatched and able to enter their own life cycle. As the mother died, the crimson fluid stained her body and the surrounding wood. From the dead bodies of such female scarlet worms, the commercial scarlet dyes of antiquity were extracted. What a picture this gives of Christ, dying on the tree, shedding His precious blood that He might "bring many sons unto glory" (Heb. 2:10)  (from page 73, "Biblical Basis for Modern Science", 1985, Baker Book House, by Henry Morris)

Isn't this amazing!  This word wasn't used by God to mock or shame Israel, but to purposely prophesy & affirm that He had chosen them to be the very lineage of Jesus.

Take time to ponder this passage.  Jesus has laid His life down, shed His crimson blood for us to have life now & forever.  He protects us (Psalm 36:7), died for us (John 12:24), shed His blood for us (Colossians 1:19-21) and now lives again through us (Colossians 1:26-28).

What a wonderful Saviour!   What incredible love...

"Do you feel like a lowly worm, Jacob? Don't be afraid. Feel like a fragile insect, Israel? I'll help you. I, GOD, want to reassure you. The God who buys you back, The Holy of Israel."  Isaiah 41:14 MSG