Claude Mariottini
Emeritus Professor
of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary

This week is Spring Break at Northern Seminary. Our students are taking a week off to rest, to recuperate from the rigors of a cold winter here in Chicago, and to prepare for the Spring Quarter, which begins on Monday, March 31.

Even prophets need to get away to unwind and to get away from the stress of their work. The prophet Jeremiah was no exception. Tired of being rejected by the people and weary that his work was not prospering as he thought it would, Jeremiah cried: “I wish I had a lodging place in the desert where I could spend some time like a weary traveler. Then I would desert my people and walk away from them” (Jer. 9:2 NET)

I am not tired of my students and I am not weary of teaching seminary students. In fact, I love what I do and I love working with men and women who are committed to prepare themselves to serve the Lord.

Professors, like Jeremiah, also need “a lodging place in the desert” where they can spend some time resting like a weary traveler. Thus, it is just fitting that while my students are taking sometime away from me, that I should take some time away from my work.

My wife and I are planning to take a few days off. We are going to a lodging place in the desert to get away from this Chicago cold. We are also planning to spend quality time with our granddaughters and have a lot of fun, even though these glorious days will be only a few.

It is for this reason that I will not be posting again until next Monday. When I come back, I will continue my series on the rape of Tamar. My next post will deal with David’s family. I will be saying a few words about David’s many wives and concubines. I will also talk about his many sons and, as far as we know, his only daughter.

Thank you for following my blog. I am honored that you have chosen to learn more about the Old Testament by visiting my blog on a regular basis.

I will see you next week.

Claude Mariottini
Emeritus Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary

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