I read an article recently in the Tennessee magazine called, “Arrow Dynamics.” It was the story of how Mike Conkle of College Grove, Tennessee, who works as a farrier, has tried to keep the Indigenous people of America alive, by making arrowheads as their ancestors did originally. The process is called “flintknapping,” which is “the making of flaked or chipped stone tools,” and it is said to be one of the oldest trades known. “The flintknapping process entails using controlled yet predictable fracturing of the stone to produce sharp edges,” Conkle says. “The primary flaking is done by a technique called percussion, and an antler billet or hammer stone is used to strike the stone along carefully prepared edges, which precisely removes flakes to shape and pattern the point or blade.” A friend of his, John Phillips of Fayetteville, Tennessee, who has been finding arrowheads for over 35 years stated, “Interestingly, I agree that many “arrowheads,” as they are known today, were most likely knives or blades if they are longer than a couple inches. True projectile points are smaller, usually 1 inch or 1.5 inches long.”
I know I have seen arrowheads before, mainly in museums, but I learned new fascinating facts from the pictures in this article, which made me investigate a little further. Briefly, I discovered from the trusty, rusty internet that all arrowheads that we see are not created equal. It states,
The diverse range of tools used by Native Americans for hunting and fishing included specialized butchering tools, bows and arrows, bone tools, ground stone artifacts, pottery, and projectile points. These hunting and fishing implements played a crucial role in different periods of Native American history.
Arrowheads can be categorized into three main types: target arrowheads, blunt arrowheads, and broadheads. Arrowheads can also be categorized based on their specific use. Here are some common types of arrowheads and their uses: Bullet Point: Steel point used for target shooting and small game hunting. Blunt Point: Used for small game hunting and some types of target shooting; made of steel, hard rubber, or plastic. Field Point: Steel point used for target shooting and small game hunting. Broadhead: Designed to kill large animals quickly. Hunting Arrow: Designed for smaller game. Target Arrowhead: Specifically made for taking down large game.
Farming and agriculture tools held a vital role in sustaining Native American communities, complementing the hunting, and fishing implements by providing essential resources and cultivating crops. Native American agricultural tools, utilized during the Archaic period, were essential for tilling soil, planting seeds, and weeding. These tools, including digging sticks, hoes, and planting sticks, were crafted from materials such as wood, bone, antler, and stone, showcasing the resourcefulness and ingenuity of Native American tribes.
The expression ‘straight as an arrow’ means, “Literally and totally straight, as in the road is straight without curves or bends; the genuine article; upright and direct; truthful, honest, dependable, and morally upright.” It is mentioned in English literature, dating back to medieval times. The concept comes from the accuracy of arrows being shot from a bow and can be used to describe “someone or something that is honest, unwavering, and consistent in their actions or beliefs.” The directness and straightness would come from not only the accuracy and skill of the hunter with his bow and arrow or spear, but also from using the proper tool for the job. Each tool is constructed in a precise way for a specific purpose. If a tool had a hook for example, it may have been constructed and used as a sickle. If it were flat and pointing downward on its handle, though sharp, it may have been a farm implement for planting corn or other crops, such as a hoe. If it were longer than an inch and a half, it could have been considered a knife or hand tool, as Phillips and Conkle stated. If it was made with a square flat edge on one side and a sharp edge on the other, you might be holding an axe. Though paper, cardboard and many other items can cut, and hurt, they are just minor inconveniences and not considered tools or weapons; however, back in the day when people relied on hunters to ‘bring home the bacon’, the proper tool could make the difference in whether a family had supper that day or not.
Killing the animal, was only the beginning of the process, therefore, every tool was needed to complete the dinner preparation as avid hunters of today know. Though the tools may be different, there still must be multiple implements. Using twenty first century hunting terms, they must first kill the animal, field dress it, skin it and butcher it. You will need a sharp skinning and boning knife, a bone saw, game bags, gloves, and a cooler. Precise instructions can be found all over the internet from written articles to short snippets, to long, more involved videos, which can include how to make all cuts of meats that should or can be butchered from the meat. Though hunting is only considered a sport these days by most, historically, every part of the animal would be used in numerous ways. The pelts were used to provide shelter as in tents, or as a bed pallet, or coverings for warmth, and the innards could be used for multiple things, including making oils for burning, for light or skin care and more, with the meat being their sole source of food. This made it more incumbent on the hunter to be a skilled marksman with his bow and arrow than our hunters today, who could potentially take his wounded ego and buy a meal from the grocery store or restaurant at any given time if they came back empty handed.
The concept of being “as straight as an arrow” has also carried over into the making of firearms that we have today. We have all seen in the ‘shoot ‘em up, bang, bang’ movies, whether the old cowboy shows or the newer military inspired offerings, that this is the goal when choosing their weapon. Of course it makes sense, because as my husband would say, why have a gun if you’re not going to use it and you have not practiced with it and developed a skill set, and why shoot the gun if you don’t plan to hit your mark. This means the sights must be set while you are at target practice for accuracy. Newer technology has also assisted in this process even more than the hand made guns. The one that stands out to me for its precision is the ‘sniper.’ They have the latest and the greatest rifles with the best sights attached. They pinpoint their target, they consider the weather elements, such as the wind and rain, they consider the movement of the target, factoring in the precise degrees of latitude and longitude before they ever consider taking their shot. Often the sniper has a supporting team mate, called a spotter, who carries his own special scope to assist in the precision of the shot. I read in an article, in 2017, Craig Harrison, a British sniper’s record of a 2,475 meter, 1.5 mile shot he made in Afghanistan, killing a Taliban fighter, was broken by a Canadian special forces’ sniper. He made a 3,540 meter, 2.2 mile shot in Iraq against ISIS. However, in 2022, Kyiv, a Ukrainian sniper, shattered that record when he killed a Russian soldier at a record distance of 3,800 meters, 2.4 miles. This is incredible precision and would meet the description of ‘as straight as an arrow.’ Their motto is, ‘one shot, one kill.’ They take this very seriously.
The importance and intricacies of their job depends on their developed skill, and because of them, these snipers as well as others have earned their reputations, in their circle of friends, professions and the world. In the same token, an individual who conducts their lives with the motto of being, ‘as straight as an arrow,’ will also begin to form an acceptable and desirable reputation because of it. The very use of the expression when referring to a person could mean that this individual will deal with others with complete candor, and not beat around the bush or mince words to deceive. It also means that this is an individual that is honest, forthright, has integrity and is therefore trust worthy. In our grandparent’s day, you would have heard them say, ‘you are only as good as your word,’ and this was known of a person by their past dealings with others. If they broke their word, they were known as being, ‘not worth their salt.’ People who are as ‘straight as an arrow’ often get the difficult jobs, like telling an employee unwelcome news, or making tough decisions, because they are known as being reliable, are not jelly-bellied nor cowards. They are the ones who can place their hand on the Bible in a court of law and say they will ‘tell all the truth and nothing but the truth’ and mean it. We should not mistake these people as having no people skills, or as being harsh or unkind. They usually have the winning combination that we should all aspire to, which is integrity coupled with wisdom.
I do not follow politics much, but we know that Politician is equated with Liar a lot of the time, because of the reputation they have created over the years as a group. However, we know that everyone should have a chance to be innocent until proven guilty. So, if I would have to choose a President of the United States that I think had integrity, my choice would be the 40th, Ronald Reagan, who was in office from 1981 to 1989. His approach and dealings were always straightforward, with the American people and the world, along with a kind demeanor, even when difficult things had to be said. The statements he made would not be extremely popular today and were not all accepted in his day either. Here are a couple of example quotes, “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.” “A nation that cannot control its borders is not a nation.” “We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.” “Government is not a solution to our problem; government is the problem. Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them. The government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. If it stops moving, subsidize it. The problem is not that people are taxed too little; the problem is that government spends too much.” Two quotes that stand out to me that show how he knew the source of his strength and integrity are, “Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, leave the rest to God.” And “If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.”
We see in scripture a contrast of two men, who just happened to both hold the station of being King. I say this in this way, because our position, and what we do in life, as we mentioned about politicians earlier, does not integrity make. 1 Samuel 13:13-14 shows the consequences of not being ‘as straight as an arrow’, “And Samuel said to Saul, thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: for now, would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel forever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.” We see in Acts 13:21-23 the contrasting scenario and rewards of conducting our dealings ‘as straight as an arrow’, “And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years. And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Savior, Jesus.” We know that David was not perfect, but he had integrity. 1 Kings 9:4 says, “And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments.”
Saul of Tarsus proves the point I made earlier, because he did have integrity even though he was persecuting the saints. This statement may ruffle feathers; however, it is still true. He was ‘as straight as an arrow’ and was following the law of God that he had studied all his life, to the letter, yet he did not realize that the Old Testament had been fulfilled in Christ, and a New Covenant was now in place. Acts 9:1-6 tells us, “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.” After this encounter, when he found out what he needed to do and realized that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, he was conducted himself ‘as straight as an arrow’ with as much or more figure than ever before.
Subsequently, Saul, known as Paul for the duration of the New Testament began to share his testimony, build churches, and train saints for the work of the ministry without mincing words. He had the heart of a shepherd and yet like David, he was not perfect. We are all a work in progress just as Paul was, yet still let it be said that all we do is as unto the Lord and with integrity. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 is one such passage to saints, “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”
To the ministry, Paul gives these instructions, 1 Timothy 3:1-9 says, “This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he falls into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Likewise, must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.”
Those who may think that a ‘little white lie’ is okay, something that will not be seen or found out, should look at the words of, and the life of Jesus, who was our supreme example of how to be ‘straight as an arrow.’ James 2:1-11 says, “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that wears the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, do not commit adultery, said also, do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.” Of JesusHebrews 4:15 says, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
Though you may be thinking that Jesus is a hard act to follow, living with honesty, integrity and uprightness is possible through the Holy Ghost, which is his spirit living within us. When we are born again, we become a new creature in Christ and take on his very nature. Our life changes for the better, just as Paul’s did at his conversion. We just need to use the right weapon, which is the Word of God, and keep it sharpened and straight for the situations that will arise in our lives. This in turn allows our rough edges to be honed for His purpose before going into the fray, causing us to hit the target of Chirstian living dead on. 1 Peter 3:15-17 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.” Living this way no matter what comes your way will allow God to say with pride, of you as he did of Job, in Job 2:3, “And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God, and eschews evil? and still he holds fast his integrity, although thou moved me against him, to destroy him without cause.” It is said that your life may be the only Bible that some people will ever read. Lord help us all today to make sure that what our life is saying meets the description, “as straight as an arrow.”