How are you doing in
self-isolation and social distancing? We all hope to be able to move more
freely in the not too distant future. Some of us are even emerging from our
homes as stay-at-home orders relax. Others of us don’t feel secure enough to leave the
safety, even if some restrictions are lifting.
As spring warms up the ground
and plants start popping up, we may feel like it’s time to get out and stir in
the soil, too. I know I do. Getting out in the sun is good. If you have a place
where you can plant something, even if it’s just a little planter on your deck,
do it!
Women throughout the ages, as we
saw last time, have always been in the vanguard of planting and
harvesting. During Easter-tide we are
looking at ways to find solidarity with the women of centuries ago by creating
some of the foods and beauty products they might have used. We have looked at
how milk and grains have been part of the human diet since before recorded
history. We’ve seen how innovative women could have used these products for
things beside food. Another staple is fruit and nuts, which had multiple uses.
Fruits and nuts were likely
incorporated early on. They were easy to find as they grew wild on trees and
bushes. Even though there was competition with animals to harvest these
delicious items, they were gathered and stored. Drying fruits for future use
may have been accidentally discovered, or something that women experimented and
learned so they could keep the delicious sweet products longer. Nuts were
easier to store, although they had to learn to seal them up so that mice, rats, or squirrels (like this cute guy) wouldn’t get into the precious supplies.
In A Sampler of Bible Beauty,
the story of Abigail is used to illustrate the importance of fruit. She took
food, including fruit, to stave off David’s attack on Nabal’s household. We
hear that Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves, two skins of wine,
five sheep ready dressed, five measures of parched grain, one hundred
clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs (I Samuel 25:18).
The ‘cakes of figs’ were not desserts; they were finely chopped figs pressed into a form and dried. The clusters of raisins were in fact raisins pressed into a form and dried. These dried fruits were easily carried when traveling. Later, in 1 Samuel 30 we learn that David’s warriors are pursuing the Amalekites who burned Ziklag and kidnapped the women. They are carrying supplies, of course. In the open country they found an Egyptian and brought him to David. They gave him bread and he ate; they gave him water to drink; they also gave him a piece of fig cake and two clusters of raisins. When he had eaten, his spirit revived; for he had not eaten bread or drunk water for three days and three nights. (I Samuel 30:11-12)
Fruit and nuts are mentioned many places in scripture. Pomegranates were used to ornament the bottom of the priestly garments, interspersed with bells. (Exodus 28:33) Rabbis taught that it was a pomegranate that Eve shared with Adam in the Garden. The design of pomegranates is also incorporated into the design of the Temple. (1 Kings 7:20, 42; 2 Kings 25:17; 2 Chronicles
Fruits were highly desired
foods. Because they could be stored better than many other fruits, dates, figs, and
raisins were used over the winter as were dried apples. The date palm itself
provided more than just fruit. Nearly all parts of the tree were used for
something. The leaves provided thatch and the wood was used for building. In
the desert, the palm tree was a sign that water was near.
The fig and fig tree are used
as metaphors for the people of Israel, as are almonds. In Numbers (17:8),
it is because Aaron’s almond tree staff budded that he is affirmed as priest.
The shape of an almond flower was used in the golden lamp stand in the Holy of
Holies of the Tabernacle and later the Temple.
Jesus tells us that “you
will know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16-17). In the fifteenth
chapter of the Gospel of John, Jesus says “I am the true vine” and compares all believers to the branches
that abide and flourish. Those that do not bear fruit are “cast forth…and gathered and thrown into the
fire.” Paul uses the term “fruit of
the Spirit” to explain the change to our lives that comes when we follow
God. (Galatians 5:22-23) He says, “The
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”
The COVID19 pandemic has affected so many. Lines at food distribution sites are longer than ever. Consider making a donation to a food pantry or other organization focused on feeding people, or finding another way you can assist, even while staying safe.
To make the fruit even sweeter, Bible women might be rolled in honey and left to dry slightly. The coarse texture of chopped nuts and the oils in the nuts meant that it was useful for beauty products as well as eating. Try one of these items this week.
Ahinoam’s Citrus Almond Face Scrub
3 almonds
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon honey
In mortar and pestle (or food
processor), grind almonds finely. Mix in juice and honey. Massage gently onto
face in circular motion. Rinse with warm water.
The citrus and honey together tighten the pores and the ground almonds provide just enough texture to scrub the face gently.
Honeyed Dates
Remove seeds from 20-30 dates. Insert a whole almond into each date. Pour ½ cup honey in bowl and roll each almond filled date in the honey. Air dry or roll in sugar and then let dry.
More recipes and stories of women of the Bible are
found in A Sampler of Bible Beauty by CynthiaDavis.
