Psalm 127 is well-known and oft-quoted. It's one of my favorite psalms. After establishing that it is the LORD who builds the household and guards it too, this psalm sings that children are a heritage and reward.
But the verses make clear that children aren't meant to be hoarded like gold. No, they are like arrows. They are to be tuned and loosed.
Psalm 127:3-5
But the verses make clear that children aren't meant to be hoarded like gold. No, they are like arrows. They are to be tuned and loosed.
Psalm 127:3-5
[3] Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
[4] Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one’s youth.
[5] Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Half an Arrow
When our second daughter was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition, the geneticist went out of her way to remind us that Ruth was still Ruth. At first we thought that was a silly thing to say, but once we got off the phone, it started to make sense. We found that it was difficult to see our lovely little daughter beyond the shock of the diagnosis and the power of a label.
Thankfully, that sticker shock wore off after a few days. Ruth was still Ruth, fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:13-14), and we love her as only parents can.
But that doesn't mean there aren't still subtle temptations to think wrongly.
Thankfully, that sticker shock wore off after a few days. Ruth was still Ruth, fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:13-14), and we love her as only parents can.
But that doesn't mean there aren't still subtle temptations to think wrongly.
I am ashamed to admit it, but there have been moments when I’ve thought that I don’t have two arrows in my quiver—only one and a half. I'm tempted to think that Ruth isn't fully fletched. That her genetic condition makes her either unfinished or broken.
But that is a lie, and like Bard the Bowman standing steadfast against Smaug, I am determined to slay it.
But that is a lie, and like Bard the Bowman standing steadfast against Smaug, I am determined to slay it.
The Strongest Arrow
Helpful in this endeavor is remembering that God's ways are not my ways—His are far higher (Isa. 55:8-9). His foolishness is infinitely wiser than my wisdom; His weakness is infinitely stronger than my strength (1 Cor. 1:25). In supreme irony, the Lord is happy to wield foolishness against the wise and win; He is pleased to wield weakness against the strong and conquer (1 Cor. 1:27). He shames those who would boast in themselves so that none may boast unless they are in Christ and boasting in Him (1 Cor. 1:29-31). Yes, our God is one who takes what is low and despised and redeems it for His high purposes (1 Cor. 1:28).
The pinnacle of this was the cross of Christ. This was so foolish, so weak; the enemies of God thought they had secured a major victory when they had really secured their ultimate defeat.
So should I be surprised if what I see as my weakest arrow is—in God's hands—the strongest?
The pinnacle of this was the cross of Christ. This was so foolish, so weak; the enemies of God thought they had secured a major victory when they had really secured their ultimate defeat.
So should I be surprised if what I see as my weakest arrow is—in God's hands—the strongest?
Better Bowmen
From this vantage point, only God knows His ultimate purposes for Ruth Truth. It may be that, like the black arrow that struck down Smaug, she smites a dragon.
Or perhaps His purposes for her are more humble than that. Maybe, like the arrows of Jonathan, she signals safety or danger (1 Sam. 20). Or maybe, like the arrows of Elisha, she declares the Lord’s victory (2 Kings 13).
Or, at the very least, Ruth is the strongest arrow simply because she's made us better bowmen.
Or, at the very least, Ruth is the strongest arrow simply because she's made us better bowmen.
Though Ruth’s story is still being told, the Author of Life has written all her days in His book (Ps. 139:16). Not one of them will be a surprise to Him. Whatever His purposes, I will count Ruth not as half an arrow but as one fully fletched. After all, who am I to judge the work of the Maker? Who am I to determine its merit? Only a fool would dare do so. No, she came from the forges of the True King. He is the one who fills my quiver, and He has seen fit to give me this small but mighty arrow. She is more to us than seven sons (Ruth 4:15).
Already the Lord has used Ruth to shame the strong—I know because I was one of them.
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien, Chapter XIV: "Fire and Water"
Then Bard drew his bow-string to his ear. The dragon was circling back, flying low, and as he came the moon rose above the eastern shore and silvered his great wings.
“Arrow!” said the bowman. “Black arrow! I have saved you to the last. You have never failed me and always I have recovered you. I had you from my father and he from of old. If ever you came from the forges of the true king under the Mountain, go now and speed well!”
The dragon swooped once more lower than ever, and as he turned and dived down his belly glittered white with sparkling fires of gems in the moon—but not in one place. The great bow twanged. The black arrow sped straight from the string, straight for the hollow by the left breast where the foreleg was flung wide. In it smote and vanished, barb, shaft and feather, so fierce was its flight. With a shriek that deafened men, felled trees and split stone, Smaug shot spouting into the air, turned over and crashed down from on high in ruin.
Photo Credit: "Bard the Bowman" by Anke Eißmann