The Strand Study Bible

JEREMIAH JEREMIAH “What new creation is this,” they all pondered, “that our CREATOR just created to join us in our quest to please Him?” Immediately, the CREATOR answered, “NATURE, YOU WILL DO AS YOU ARE TOLD, FOR THAT IS HOW YOU WERE CREATED. AND YOU, CREATURE WORLD, YOU TOO WILL OBEY ME, FOR YOU WERE DESIGNED TO DO SO. HOWEVER, THIS ONE, THIS CREATION THAT I JUST FORMED WITH MY OWN HANDS WILL BE LIKE ME, FOR THIS ONE WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO CHOOSE.” A hush, like no other hush, fell over both Nature and Creature (the great duo). “What does our MAKER mean,” asked Nature and Creature, “by: THIS ONE WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO CHOOSE?” The CREATOR then reached into Himself and removed something almost microscopic. A minute seed appeared to hover between his fingers. Both Nature and Creature wondered in silence. “What is this marvel,” they asked one another, “that our MAKER now holds between His fingers?” Then with one mellow gesture, as if in slow motion, the CREATOR gently planted the tiny seed into the lifeless clay form. Suddenly, that which was without breath began to breathe. The great duo stepped back. Trees that bowed backed off. Bushes that leaned in to see the new creation leaned away. Birds that hovered out of curiosity headed for cover. Animals scurried. Fish moved out into the deep. Insects flinched. Even Nature itself was moved by the movement of this special creation, for no other creature on earth had ever been given the ‘seed of choice.’ Would the unity and harmony that has existed between Nature and Creature now be at risk? Troubled by their thoughts concerning the entrance of this newest creation, the great duo questioned their MAKER. “What kind of creature will he be, GREAT MASTER?” asked both Nature and Creature. “Will the man you just created love you? Will he obey without question as we do? What if he chooses not to love you?” Worried that their oneness and synchronization might be disrupted, both Nature and Creature huddle together in anticipation of the answer. “COME,” answered the CREATOR, “I WILL SHOW YOU.” Unbound by time, GOD took the great duo by the hand and led them into a large room with a screen. “THERE!” pointed the GREAT FATHER to the screen. “DO YOU SEE THAT TREE THAT APPEARS IN THE MIDST OF THE GARDEN?” The great duo acknowledged, “We do.” The GREAT FATHER continued, “THAT TREE HOLDS BOTH THE SWEET AND THE BITTER ‘SEED OF CHOICE’. SHOULD MY NEWEST CREATION CHOOSE WHAT IS AUTOMATICALLY NATURAL TO YOU, THE SWEET SEED OF OBEDIENCE, THEN ALL OF CREATION WILL EXPERIENCE AN UNPRECEDENTED BEAUTY NEVER BEFORE WITNESSED BY CREATION.” Suddenly the screen began to change scenes. Both Nature and Creature marveled at what they saw. Unprompted love. Voluntary devotion. Chosen tenderness. Never had the great duo seen anything like it. Trees that had backed off bent over again. Bushes that had leaned away leaned in again. Birds that had headed for cover flew out into the open. Animals came out from hiding. Fish moved back into the shallows. Insects jumped acrobatically. Even Nature itself breathed a sigh of relief. “Well, bring it on,” they shouted in unison. “Let us see this new creation in action,” they gleamed. “AH,” said the MAKER, “BUT I’VE ONLY SHOWED YOU THE SWEET SIDE OF THE ‘SEED OF CHOICE.’ BEHOLD THE BITTER. All of a sudden the scene abruptly changed. BothNature and Creature, once again, drew back in horror as they viewedmillenniums of decadence. Never had they seen such filth, such selfishness. Broken promises. Forgotten loyalties. Unforgiving hearts. The great duo bowed in disgust… they could stomach no more. Just then the CREATOR lifted up their faces toward Him and reminded them of their earlier response. “BRING IT ON,” you said. “LET US SEE THIS NEW CREATION IN ACTION,” you boasted. “But we had not seen the other side of the ‘seed of choice,’” said the duo. “We did not know what we now know. Please, MASTER, do not allow this creature of choice to disrupt our world.” Unmoved by their response, the GREAT FATHER continued the scene. What both Nature and Creature saw next sickened them beyond belief. Because this newest of creations, with the ability to choose, chose to disobey, Nature would clash with Nature, Creature with Creature, Nature with Creature as Creature cursed Nature. “No, MASTER, no, you cannot allow this to happen,” cried the duo. “We’ve only known harmony with one another. To allow this new creature to exist is to bring devastation upon us all.” “WOULD YOU I RATHER NOT CHANCE IT WITH THIS NEW CREATION?” asked the CREATOR. Without hesitation, the great duo exclaimed, “We would not take the chance, GREAT FATHER. A creature with the ability to choose is much too risky.” The LORD paused for a moment, as if to understand their argument, and then replied, “LONG BEFORE YOU TWO WERE EVER CREATED, I CREATED YET ANOTHER CREATIONWITH THE ABILITY TO CHOOSE. I CALLED THEMANGELS. 1158