Scarlet Robe Creations

Meribah, where the chosen children showed displeasure. Voices calling out to the one whose staff they have followed. Ungrateful, as we all tend to be. Meribah, a place where sanctity is beheld. The holiness of the one, who parted the waters, who plagued Egypt, who caused rivers to flow blood. The holiness of one who promises, despite our complaints. Meribah, the waters where we quarrel. Given what sacrifices have dared to ask, still drawn by bread, water and golden calves. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr. https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

God appears to Moses in the Burning Bush  If they ask what is His name, this God who created the soil and plants, the sky, and the water. If they ask what is He like, this God who seeks our worship and obedience, offers to free us from slavery. If they ask have you seen Him, will a burning bush and a voice that says "I Am" be sufficient. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

Christ in the Wilderness - painting by Moretto da Brescia I will give you all your heart desires. The tempter waits. He is vigilant in his observance. He waits for you in your wilderness, seeking the moment when you lose sight of the Lamb. He will mock you by offering the objects you yearn for, or the emotions you crave. The tempter waits. He is patient in his action. Soon you will hunger, soon you will thirst, soon you will question faith. The Lamb has gone before you. He has ventured out, as example, knowing the angels will protect Him, lest He dash his foot against a stone. In His weakness the Lamb protects His own. In His weakness there is more strength than earthly kingdoms of gold, or elaborate wealth. I will give you all your heart desires. The tempter waits, for the wilderness to empty you, into its vastness. Without the weakness of the Lamb, to save, you would surely be lost. copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

And this became a sin; the people came to worship the one at Bethel  and went as far as Dan to worship the other 1 Kings 12:30 Andrea di Leone (1610-1685) - Adoration of the Golden Calf Calves of gold, and sin takes reign. Who are we to decide that enough time of sacrifice has passed. One placed here, one placed there. Golden statues are blasphemed as gods without any degree of holiness. Images to celebrate, an icon to adore. A life of immorality becomes acceptable because a thing deemed perfect, by the deities of the world, has said so. Calves of Gold, Jerobaum's evil. An empty king, an empty palace. A sacrifice made by false priest to a malleable piece of metal. A house of such sin, one here and one there, will be cast out in its pride. copyright 2024 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author

We grumble against Your spoken word when it guides us against our choosing, allowing a discontented spirit to take root. The desert consumes us if we allow its sand to swallow our souls. We wander the vastness without direction, deciding to vacate the path of our guide. We thirst for You more than water. Like Peter we will always be stupid men, yet his confession of weakness is not ours due to pride. You will draw a river from a stone. Your skies will rain manna. You will fill our needs in abundance. Your blood will cleanse away our sins and still we grumble. copyright 2017 - Donald P James Jr https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donald-P.-James-Jr./author