A String of Pearls
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| In loving memory of my father Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023 |
There is a knowledge of natural things
Fine gem-quality saltwater and freshwater pearls can and do sometimes occur completely naturally, but this is rare. Many hundreds of pearl oysters or pearl mussels have to be gathered and opened, and thus killed, in order to find even one pearl, and for many centuries that was the only way pearls were obtained. This was the main reason why pearls fetched such extraordinary prices in the past. In modern times, almost all the pearls for sale were/are formed with a good deal of expert intervention from human pearl farmers.
A true pearl is made from layers of nacre, by the same living process as is used in the secretion of the mother of pearl which lines the shell. Nacre is strong, resilient, and iridescent. A "natural pearl" is one that formed without any human intervention at all, in the wild, and is very rare. A "cultured pearl", on the other hand, is one that has been formed on a pearl farm. The great majority of pearls on the market are cultured pearls.
Imitation or fake pearls are also widely sold in inexpensive jewelry, but the quality of the iridescence is usually very poor, and generally speaking, fake pearls are usually quite easy to distinguish from the real thing. It is not difficult to discern the evil. However, in the realm of the Spirit, it requires no less than the discernment given by the Holy Spirit to distinguish between cultured pearls and natural pearls ... between that which is "good" and the will of God.
The song, "A String of Pearls," was/is a big band and jazz standard, first recorded by Glenn Miller and his orchestra in November 1941. It was very popular in the "big band" era of the late 1940's and early 1950's. The song was so popular that it was also recorded by Benny Goodman, Harry James, Stan Kenton, and a dozen of other well-known orchestras. The record was ranked number 1 in the United States for two weeks in 1942 on the Billboard Best Sellers chart in a chart run of 21 weeks. I heard it played live by Benny Goodman, Harry James, and Glenn Miller around 1951.
In the natural realm, a string of "natural pearls" is so expensive that only a very small proportion of the human population could afford it. In the spiritual realm, only a small proportion of the church is willing to buy such a pearl. The price we must pay is everything we own.
But God is sovereign
The Lord is inconspiculously preparing an instrument of deliverance in the earth. That instrument of ten strings is still largely hidden, but will be brought forth to light very soon (Isaiah 66, Revelation 12, Joel 2, and many others). His preparation method is similar to how real pearls are formed ... without any human intervention. Many are called but few are chosen because few choose to pay the price.
And wisdom is the excellent gift of God
The Lord still asks, "Where is His fear?" What is polluted bread? The bread (teaching, preaching) offered by the priests who minister to the house (Ezekiel 44:4-14) ... those priests who do not choose to eat from the table of the Lord.
BUT!!! The Lord always has a remnant, and the priests, the sons of Zadok, will soon be unveiled by the Master Musician on Neginoth, that instrument of ten strings that He is preparing ... that perfect string of pearls which will speak forth the word of God with power. Selah!
1 Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they fine it.2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass is molten out of the stone.3 He setteth an end to darkness, and searcheth out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shadow of death.4 The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant; even the waters forgotten of the foot: they are dried up, they are gone away from men.5 As for the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire.6 The stones of it are the place of sapphires: and it hath dust of gold. Job 28: 1-6
Fine gem-quality saltwater and freshwater pearls can and do sometimes occur completely naturally, but this is rare. Many hundreds of pearl oysters or pearl mussels have to be gathered and opened, and thus killed, in order to find even one pearl, and for many centuries that was the only way pearls were obtained. This was the main reason why pearls fetched such extraordinary prices in the past. In modern times, almost all the pearls for sale were/are formed with a good deal of expert intervention from human pearl farmers.
A true pearl is made from layers of nacre, by the same living process as is used in the secretion of the mother of pearl which lines the shell. Nacre is strong, resilient, and iridescent. A "natural pearl" is one that formed without any human intervention at all, in the wild, and is very rare. A "cultured pearl", on the other hand, is one that has been formed on a pearl farm. The great majority of pearls on the market are cultured pearls.
Imitation or fake pearls are also widely sold in inexpensive jewelry, but the quality of the iridescence is usually very poor, and generally speaking, fake pearls are usually quite easy to distinguish from the real thing. It is not difficult to discern the evil. However, in the realm of the Spirit, it requires no less than the discernment given by the Holy Spirit to distinguish between cultured pearls and natural pearls ... between that which is "good" and the will of God.
The song, "A String of Pearls," was/is a big band and jazz standard, first recorded by Glenn Miller and his orchestra in November 1941. It was very popular in the "big band" era of the late 1940's and early 1950's. The song was so popular that it was also recorded by Benny Goodman, Harry James, Stan Kenton, and a dozen of other well-known orchestras. The record was ranked number 1 in the United States for two weeks in 1942 on the Billboard Best Sellers chart in a chart run of 21 weeks. I heard it played live by Benny Goodman, Harry James, and Glenn Miller around 1951.
In the natural realm, a string of "natural pearls" is so expensive that only a very small proportion of the human population could afford it. In the spiritual realm, only a small proportion of the church is willing to buy such a pearl. The price we must pay is everything we own.
45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Matthew 13:45-46
But God is sovereign
7 There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not seen:8 The lion's whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it.9 He putteth forth His hand upon the rock; He overturneth the mountains by the roots.10 He cutteth out rivers among the rocks; and His eye seeth every precious thing.11 He bindeth the floods from overflowing; and the thing that is hid bringeth He forth to light. Job 28:7-11
The Lord is inconspiculously preparing an instrument of deliverance in the earth. That instrument of ten strings is still largely hidden, but will be brought forth to light very soon (Isaiah 66, Revelation 12, Joel 2, and many others). His preparation method is similar to how real pearls are formed ... without any human intervention. Many are called but few are chosen because few choose to pay the price.
And wisdom is the excellent gift of God
12 But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?13 Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.14 The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me.15 It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.16 It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.17 The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold.18 No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies.19 The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.20 Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?21 Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.22 Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears.23 God understandeth the way thereof, and He knoweth the place thereof.24 For He looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven;25 To make the weight for the winds; and He weigheth the waters by measure.26 When He made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder:27 Then did He see it, and declare it; He prepared it, yea, and searched it out.28 And unto man He said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. Job 28:12-28
6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is Mine honour? and if I be a master, where is My fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise My name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised Thy name?7 Ye offer polluted bread upon Mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted Thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. Malachi 1:6-7
The Lord still asks, "Where is His fear?" What is polluted bread? The bread (teaching, preaching) offered by the priests who minister to the house (Ezekiel 44:4-14) ... those priests who do not choose to eat from the table of the Lord.
BUT!!! The Lord always has a remnant, and the priests, the sons of Zadok, will soon be unveiled by the Master Musician on Neginoth, that instrument of ten strings that He is preparing ... that perfect string of pearls which will speak forth the word of God with power. Selah!
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