The Wall

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“What a dear old wall that is that runs along by the river there! I never pass it without feeling better for the sight of it. Such a mellow, bright, sweet old wall; what a charming picture it would make, with the lichen creeping here, and the moss growing there, a shy young vine peeping over the top at this spot, to see what is going on upon the busy river, and the sober old ivy clustering a little farther down! There are fifty shades and tints and hues in every ten yards of that old wall. . . . It looks so peaceful and so quiet, and it is such a dear old place to ramble round in the early morning before many people are about.” Jerome K. Jerome, “Three Men In A Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog)” Ch. 6 (1889)

Have A Seat (Day 11)

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“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness…” (Psalm 45:6)

We’ve often heard about “Air Force One” and many Americans know that The President on occasion travels by jet referred to as “Air Force One.” Ever wonder about the planes that make up the fleet?


Teddy Roosevelt was the first President to fly in a plane in 1910 (Taft was actually in office) but the call sign “Air Force One” was not created until the late 1950’s, when travel became more widespread. Technically, any Air Force plane carrying the President is called “Air Force One” although specific planes are set apart for this purpose.

I use this as an example to illustrate the difference between a “stool,” a “seat”, and a “throne.” The Hebrew word for all three is the same word כִּסֵּא (kicce'). But how do we tell the difference? For starters, we can watch for where the King sits and wherever He sits changes the meaning of the device. A stool remains a stool until used by the King, then it becomes a throne and will always be a throne from henceforth and forevermore. The throne is the ceremonial chair signifying sovereign power.

Get the idea now? “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.”

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