Of Nails and Sparrows

Heman was an important man.

He was the grandson of Samuel, the prophet, in the Old Testament days of conquest. He was a Levite, of the tribe of Levi, specially chosen to serve God in regard to the holy things of the tabernacle. 

Talented. Pedigreed. Chosen. Capable. 

During David’s reign, Heman was appointed as a leader of the choral arrangement, having charge of all the others who would sing praises to God while the Ark of the Covenant was moved into Jerusalem. Together, they wrote eleven of the Psalms.

Yet, Heman wrote that it would be better to be a sparrow building a nest at the Lord’s altar. “Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in Your house, ever singing Your praise!”

All Heman desired, by the grace of God, was to dwell in the presence of God, like the birds that built nests near His altar.

Ezra was also an important man. 

“He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the Lord, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him.”

Intelligent. Godly. Blessed. Powerful. 

He was a leader of men and a shaper of his times. 

Yet, he wrote that it was better to be a nail in the holy place: “But now, for a brief moment, grace has been shown by the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant and to give us a secure hold within His holy place…” A “secure hold” is literally translated “tent pin.” 

All Ezra desired, by the grace of God, was to be a tent pin in God’s presence. 

Jesus was so much more than an important man. 

“For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.” He was God, eternally reigning over creation as Creator and Sustainer.

Mighty God. Everlasting Father. Prince of Peace.

He was the spotless lamb who takes away the sin of the world, God’s beloved Son. 

Yet, He said that it was better to be a servant. He “emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men, and being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

All Jesus desired was “to bear our sins in His body on the tree” as nail holes so that we would be able to dwell eternally in His presence. 

In the clamor of voices raised to demand their places of honor, their right to resist the patriarchy, their reasons to deconstruct, remember the sparrow. Remember the tent pin. Remember the suffering Servant who laid down His life. 

And remember that now, you have been invited to dwell with the Lord of the universe for all eternity. That position is the only one that matters.