Tree

 Protect us like a tree that casts a cool shadow in the heat of noon, & let us rest in your shade.

Isaiah 16:3

With temperatures reaching 33 C in Japan yesterday, this verse stands out. Long before A/C, shade was & still is a blessing. Even though these days in contemporary English, to "throw shade" is seen in negative terms.

Isaiah is a tough read to be honest. The longest book in the Bible, it is not easy to get through without some knowledge of the political background. But it does have some of the most beautiful poetic language, and is rightly called the 5th Gospel because of its uncanny predictions of Christ's life 600 years or so before His birth.