Recently, someone commented on a blog post of mine from 2016. I was so blessed that somehow a woman found my post and the Lord used it to minister to her. I couldn’t remember much from what I wrote about the Bible’s reference to “tent peg” so I looked up my post.
As I read it, I thought, “Wow, this could help us all in this uncertain time. So I’m reposting it and praising God that it might be re-used by Him.
Here’s what I wrote:
I love words! And I love finding out the meaning of seemingly obscure words in the Bible. For instance, what in the world does the word “nail” or “tent peg” in Zechariah 10:4 mean:
“From him shall come the cornerstone, from him the tent peg, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler–all of them together.” (ESV)
This verse refers to Christ and I was curious about the “tent peg” reference. In some Bible versions the word “pin” or “nail” is used. The word “nail” was particularly curious to me.
Here’s what I found. One commentator says the Hebrew word yathed can refer to:
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a peg that fastens the cord of a tent
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a nail used in building with timber
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peg for hanging up arms and utensils on the walls of a house.
It’s definitely the idea of supporting and providing a strong load-bearing resource.
Curiously, this idea of a nail or tent peg is mentioned other places, although not to Christ, but to other people. Isaiah 22:23-24 tell us about God choosing a man named Eliakim to be a “peg.”
“I will drive him like a peg in a firm place,And he will become a throne of glory to his father’s house.
So they will hang on him all the glory of his father’s house, offspring and issue, all the least of vessels, from bowls to all the jars” (NASB)
Unfortunately, he failed at the task. Isaiah 22:25 tell us,
“In that day,” declares the LORD of hosts, “the peg driving in a firm place will give way; it will even break off and fall, and the load hanging on it will be cut off, for the LORD has spoken.”
Although Eliakim failed, we can depend upon Jesus as our peg and nail because He will never loosen His grip on us nor be pulled away from His working in our lives.
Michael P.V. Barnett writes,
“It is good to know that not only did Christ bear the load of our guilt and sin, but that He is ever able to bear the load of our troubles and cares. We can hang it all on Him.” (Beginning at Moses: A Guide to Finding Christ in the Old Testament).
Amen!!!!!
P.S. If we’re looking to another human person to be our tent peg or nail, guess what? He or she will eventually be like Eliakim. Not capable of pulling the load of being our strength and provision. Only Jesus is strong enough.
How do you rely upon Jesus as your strong tent peg in this uncertain time?
(Thank you to congerdesign’s photo I found at Pixabay.com which I used for my meme)
Had not yet been blessed to know you or Mr. Larry in 2016, so this is new (and much needed) information for me. So grateful God led you to re-post ma’am. Thank you so much. Such an important message for today. We never know the impact the words God leads us to write in His service will be used. What a great reminder to be sure and pray through each article, post, and manuscript we write. God’s blessings friend.
Thanks, J.D., for your continued support and encouragement. I know my readers also appreciate your wisdom. Take care, even on your ranch! I’m glad your animals can’t get COVID.
That is awesome, Kathy. I had not read that one, either. In addition to picturing a peg in the wall of an ancient dwelling, I picture the construction of the dwelling: pegs at the corners, holding the four walls together. All the “rooms” in our Father’s “house” are held together all around by Him. I also see Him as the tent pegs in the desert sand storms: though the winds buffet us, we must not let go of Him; He does not let go of us and let us go flying away in the storms of life.
Kinda relates to my picture of “abiding” that we’ve talked about before. And we, too, are pegged on Him. He is the Nail that will not fail to support us.
Deb, as always, I love your wonderful metaphors and I totally agree with the connection to abiding. So important especially in this time of uncertainty and seeming danger. Thanks for stopping by. Take care of yourself and stay safe!