This composite is quite simple in meaning, so I won't have to write much here. Obviously this depicts danger and the need for guidance, protection and deliverance from evil, as the title says.
The waves and the rocks are one easy-to-find danger: there are many difficulties and obstacles to overcome in our lives (a ship represents a person's life, and/or ministry), including natural disasters that happen at an increasing pace. The lighthouse is shining, which is the Truth of the Gospel (and thus, the Church, who has the Truth in her). We do not have to fear, for He is with us always:
This does make it clear that He expects us to hear and obey His commands.
Jesus instructed us to pray for deliverance from evil in what we call "The Lord's Prayer" (which is really His example for us to pray):
"And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen." Matthew 6:13
Some translations say simply "evil" rather than "the evil one". One reference stated that the presence of a certain article makes it clear it is being specific about "the evil one" rather than simply "evil". If we know what Jesus accomplished by His life, death and resurrection, we realize that Satan is already defeated, and that Jesus gave us an example of how to resist the enemy: "it is written". I don't intend to go into depth on that today, as it is a topic clearly seen in Scripture and much written about. I exhort you to study it out yourself if you feel that Satan is constantly defeating you. Jesus won the victory over Satan and over all evil. He made you to be "more than a conqueror"!
In the artwork, there are some gold coins in the corner. This is a representation of this truth:
"For the love of money is a root of all [kinds of] evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. " I Timothy 1:10
Notice that "kinds of" is in brackets, meaning that these words are not in the original: therefore it says "a root of all evil". I didn't write it! Is is so hard to think that any evil you see can somehow be coming out of a root of the "love of money"? In the picture, somebody buried some treasure, and someone apparently died over it! In a "parable" sort of way, pirates are the epitome of the "love of money." Don't we all have greed, selfishness and whatever else that is unholy and unworthy inside of us, until we allow the Holy Spirit and the Word to rout it out of us. The danger depicted in this artwork is not only physical danger, danger from a marauding enemy, danger from the temptations of this age, but also the evil that lurks in the depths of our own hearts (God calls it "iniquity"). Thank God Jesus paid for this as well, forgives us and cleanses us.
Another part of "The Lord's Prayer" is relevant to this:
And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us." Luke 11:4
Taken very literally, we see we must forgive "those who are indebted to us". If we're greedy, we won't even forgive someone a monetary debt. But there is pride and other things that keep us from releasing others from whatever debt they may have incurred, for example, even a small thing such as "hurting our feelings". So I see unforgiveness as a definite danger we need to be delivered from.
I could go on and on, but I'll try to stay close to the picture. The last symbolic reference I see here is the burning bush, representing God's manifest presence, as Moses saw it:
Moses had a fear of the Lord, which enabled him to obey Him and deliver the Israelites from their land of captivity. Moses is a "type" of Christ, showing in a real-life parable everything that Jesus would do for us, including delivering us from evil and leading us to His Kingdom flowing with milk and honey.
"Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." Galatians 1:3-5
Without a proper fear of the Lord (not a "phobia" that keeps us away from Him), we do not listen for His voice, follow His lead, or enter in by faith into the promises. I, for one, want to submit to Him so that I can not only watch the devil flee from me, but be freed from the iniquity that leaves me open to temptation. I want to overcome all the obstacles of this present age and enter safely into my King's presence.
If you see anything else in this artwork, I'd love for you to leave a comment and share it with me.
Here are the credits for the individual licensed images I used:
Three-Masted Schooner On York River in Virginia © Kcastagnola | Dreamstime.comThis blog and artwork is by Karen Gladys Henry, Copyright 2009, All rights reserved. For permission to use please email me at ArteZoe@gmail.com Thank you.
This work is available for purchase at Imagekind.com, See my gallery.
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