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NATHANAEL
by John E. DeCock
 
There is a mention of a man,
whose story should be told.
And let me try as well's I can
his secret to unfold.

He was an Israelite indeed;
Who walked in righteousness,
he did not lie, he did not cheat
and stood for faithfulness.

Nathanael which means "Gift from God".
A  precious lovely name.
Bartholomew some scholars thought,
is probably just the same.

His character was shaped by law.
In synagogue and schools,
examples in his home he saw;
God's formed him with these tools.
 
There 's little written in the Word,
except what Jesus said,
when Philip brought him to the Lord,
the first time that they met.

We do not know what did expire
one day under a tree,
but Jesus knew his heart's desire,
his longing He did see.

He was a man without deceit,
still he felt emptiness.
and looking for the truth indeed
He searched without success.

Until that day when Philip came,
And this is what he said:
"We found the Christ and you should come.
He lives in Nazareth".

Nathanael did truly fear;
"Could good come from that place?
No scripture did he ever hear;
That town had no such grace".

Nathanael, was an honest man.
He walked on solid ground.
And only followed faithful then
what in God's Word is found.

And Jesus saw his honesty;
The time he spent in prayer.
His longing underneath  his tree,
He knew what happened there.

"You are the One we're looking for"
Nathanael exclaimed.
He knew he had to search no more;
and so with Christ remained.

Among the twelve that Jesus chose
Bartholomew had his place.
Three years they walked and were so close
and talked from face to face.

From that day on, I'm not surprised,
he always did proclaim
the Gospel  of the living Christ,
did wonders in his Name.

He spread the message without fear.
Many were saved and blessed.
And being fruitful year to year,
he gave his life at last.

Please see the lesson if you can,
't Is "When you seek you'll find,
and for the honesty of men,
the Lord is never blind".

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