The Prophets - Beth-El's Stained Glass Windows

Fifth panel on the West Side

(Upper Section): Amos, the eighth century prophet of Israel is known as the spokesperson of justice. The Hebrew word for "justice," "zedek" dominates the window.

God's punishing fire breaks out of the darkness upon those who commit injustice. Amos criticized the users of deceitful balances and those who "would buy the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of shoes." Both the pair of shoes and the silver coins are depicted in the panel. That God's words would be fulfilled is indicated by the wall being constructed with a plumb line.

Yet, a remnant of the people would survive destruction. The pieces of an ear sticking in the mouth of the lion as well as the basket of ripe summer fruit are symbols of survival. In the days to come, said the prophet Amos, "will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen."

In order to ensure God's solicitude, Israel's only recourse is to do justice. In the window, the artist depicts Amos' exhortation: "Let justice well up as the waters." This mighty stream of water representing justice can also quench the fires of God's wrath. The words of the Lord unto the Jewish people were quite simple and expressive: "Seek me and live."

(Lower Section): The theme of the book of Jonah can be summarized in the Hebrew word, "t'shuvah" or "repentance." Jonah was called by God to prophecy the destruction of the city of Nineveh but refused because he felt certain that God would certainly forgive the city. Fleeing God's wrath, Jonah went to Joppa and bought a ticket for a sea voyage. In the window, the artist has depicted the boat and the stormy sea. Indicating that he was the cause of the sudden storm, Jonah asked to be tossed into the sea. The sailors obliged and Jonah was swallowed by a whale and subsequently regurgitated.

Once again, the Lord called Jonah to warn the inhabitants of Nineveh of their forthcoming destruction. The city is portrayed on the extreme left hand section of the window. However, the people of Nineveh repented whereupon Jonah, disappointed because of God's forgiveness, left the city. He took refuge under a flourishing plant. Suddenly, the plant wilted and died. Jonah had great remorse. Both the flourishing plant (right side) and the wilted plant (left side) are depicted in the window.

The climax of the book is a plea for universal compassion. The Lord said to Jonah, "You had pity on the gourd for which you did not labor. . . . should I not have pity on Nineveh. . . wherein are more than a sixscore thousand persons?”

In Loving Memory of Our Dear Husband and Father, Charles Scher

 

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