CRACKED TOOTH and GLUE – SONG, November 19, 2025

By day’s end, Hup was back at the dentist’s office… cracked tooth apparently. His friend from way back – Phil Paxton – had always made room for him on his schedule. The office manager, Phil’s wife Diane, enjoyed seeing him too. She’d hear some of the lively back and forth Phil and Hup would engage in. Of course, Diane laughed when Phil heard enough and she’d hear Hup protest – words muffled. 

 

“So – you have the eyes of a dove now- is that what you’re telling me?”

 

“Yes, and no. You don’t listen to me.”

 

“I listen,” Phil argued. “It’s just that you come up with some of the wackiest stuff I’ve heard:  thou hast doves’ eyes within thy locks? thy hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead?”

 

“Yeah, that’s what I said… that’s what Solomon wrote – speaking of Jesus Christ, as Jesus saw and spoke of his bride. Come on, Phil, haven’t you said some crazy stuff to Diane about her hair… her eyes, and she’d blush?”

 

“No!” Diane answered from outside the room. 

 

“Well, that’s telling,” Hup said and called out, “No wonder your husband doesn’t get what I’m saying Diane!” 

 

“My husband’s grasp of allegory is as a lidded cup to catch the wind. Take the lid off, Hup, and explain in plain words.”

 

“Later dear… Novocain is working.” 

 

“Isssss thaaaaaat whaaaat heeee’s askkkkking for?” Hup said, his lips felt like thick rubber.

 

Phil and Diane laugh, as she left the room.

 

“Whhhhhy diiiiiidn’t youuuuu saaaaay sooooo?”

 

At that point Hup knew it was useless to try to make any sense of the verse to his old, agnostic friend, but the reference to Gilead was clear to him. Christ Jesus was the balm of Gilead that was spoken of in the Old Testament… to bring healing to God’s chosen people. As for the locks and hair… oh what a covering – a blood covering, that the bride would wear entering the holy of Holies. Christ her sanctification – his death on the cross –  the propitiation of her sin… as the Levite priests sent away that one goat into the wilderness… sending away their sin as far as the east is from the west. Cracked tooth indeed… cracked for good reason… challenging his friends to think, asking God to grant them his quickening Spirit.

 

Hup left the office to go to the Post Office, but then returned. The Novocain had worn off. As Hup entered the office, Phil stood talking to Diane, saw him and laughed. “Sorry about that old man – cutting you off like that, but rubber lips do bounce back – especially your. I think the glue will work for now.” 

 

“Yeah, thanks. I came back because I forgot something.”

 

“Yeah? What? Oh, just to say that God’s work is not done with you Phil.”

 

“You think so – huh?”

 

“Yeah – I do.” That said, Hup left and gave Diane a wave. She waved back and smiled, as she combed back her hair.