LightGrams
June 27, 2024
Volume 28, Number 17
In my childhood I was introduced to Mr. Potato Head. Introduced in 1952, the toy was originally designed to use an actual potato. It was the first toy to be advertised on television, I learned from a Wikipedia article. After all these years it remains a popular toy for young and old, with a large number of variations and pieces that regularly are released / sold to collectors.
Declan McFerrin of Northern Ireland recently claimed his first Guinness World Record by assembling the eleven pieces of Mr. Potato Head in 5.15 seconds. He was .28 seconds faster than the previous record-holder, Lim Kai Yi of Malaysia. We’re confident McFerrin’s record will be toppled. No doubt some are already honing their skills in speedily piecing together this celebrity spud.
Adam was the first “Mr.” to be pieced together; Genesis 1:27 records that event: “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27). It took place on the sixth day of creation, so it was a skillful piecing together of hundreds of parts that resulted in “a living being” (Genesis 2:7) named Adam.
Centuries later David reflected on the marvel of the human body: “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well” (Psalm 139:14). Truly, God’s work in designing bodies of flesh is astonishing; it’s one of many signs of the greatness of God.
Someone might object that human bodies are mortal; they are doomed to failure after several years. But that’s not the end of the story. In Ezekiel 37 we are brought to a valley filled with human bones, obviously the scene of a battle where many soldiers had died. Ezekiel is told to prophesy to the bones: “… as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over” (Ezekiel 37:7,8). Finally, breath was put into their lungs and a great army stood again.
Putting together a few pieces of a toy potato in just over 5 seconds is impressive, but what happened before Ezekiel’s eyes was a feat that tops all others! It was a sign that the nation of Judah would be restored to their homeland. But it’s also assurance to us in the 21st century.
Jesus prophesied of our future: “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth – those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (John 5:28,29). That statement includes you and me, and all who have ever lived. God will reconstruct decomposed bodies in a matter of moments.
How amazing is our God! How important it is that we serve and honor Him!
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2024, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
Permission to reproduce and/or use the messages for noncommercial purposes is freely granted provided the messages are not altered.