Within this Insight I want to look at some of the people, trees and birds in the Bible that may combine to teach us how faith works out in different life situations and what lessons we may learn from them. This Insight is part of a mini-series that includes Seeds, Saplings and Mature Trees and the Presence of Birds in the Bible. At this point I want us to consider six such situations that are found in the Bible.
Adam and Eve – The Tree of Knowledge and Evil
In Genesis 1 the Lord had created all living things that included all birds of the air. Then in Genesis 2: 8-9 we read that the Lord planted a garden in the east called Eden and all types of trees grew in it that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
In Genesis 3: 1-5 we find that Adam and Eve were tempted by the devil to eat the fruit that was forbidden. In eating the forbidden fruit their lives changed forever.
Knowledge in life is a big deal. For lots of people having their own understanding and knowledge separates them from having to submit to a higher being with a superior knowledge. Many people are happy worshipping their own sense of knowledge which separates them from a perfect relationship with God in paradise, the renewed Garden of Eden.
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Refugee – The Tree that is Cut Down
In Deuteronomy 19 we read about the cities of refuge and the rule concerning someone who had killed a person intentionally or unintentionally. In verse 5, a man went into the forest with his neighbour to cut some wood. As he swung his axe to cut the tree, the axe head came off and accidentally hit his neighbour who died. The man had to hide safely in a city of refuge from those who would want to avenge the death even though it was an accident.
All trees represent places of shelter, shade and refuge for all types of birds and other living creatures. They are able to enjoy its safety away from those who would want to kill them for fun or eat them for food. Trees and people can suffer intentional and unintentional actions against them that result in death threats, fires, drought and flood caused by human neglect or abuse.
The Man of God – The Tree that provides Shelter and Shade
In 1 Kings 13 we read about a man of God from Judah travelling to Bethel. He spoke a word from the Lord to King Jeroboam about the priests misused of the Temple offerings at Bethel and outlined that the Alter at the Temple would be split apart. Immediately the King’s men were ordered to seize the man of God and as the King stretched out his hand it shrivelled up and the Alter split apart.
The King asked for healing and the man of God prayed and the King’s hand was subsequently healed. The King was very grateful and offered food and drink to the man of God. He declined because he had been ordered by the Lord not to eat food, have a drink or return from Bethel the same way he entered.
An old prophet approached the man of God who had in verse 14, been resting under the shade of an oak tree and offered the man of God food and drink. The reply was the same one that he had shared with the King. The old prophet said to the man of God that an angel had visited him and implied that it would be okay to have some food and drink in his own home.
Thank you Keith pexels.com
So the man of God turned and ate and drank, not knowing that the old prophet had been lying to him. Then at the shared table the Lord spoke through the old prophet to say that as a result of the man of God eating and drinking he would die and his body would not be buried in the family tomb. As they left the home the man of God was attacked by a lion and died. His body was later buried in the tomb of the old prophet and the sons of the old prophet were instructed for him to go alongside the man of God when he dies.
We live in a world of fake news and false prophets. What should we eat and drink and where should we go and stay. What actions should we do on behalf of the Lord and not do when asked by the Lord. What consequences will we face if we obey or disobey the Lord’s command and give in to false teaching and advice?
It raises the question of where do we get our guidance from and if we get it wrong and end up under an oak tree depressed and not in tune with the birds of the air around us how do we recover and know the forgiveness and will of God for the future.
Zacchaeus – The Tree that takes us to a Higher Level
Luke 19: 4
Zacchaeus was a rich tax man working for the Romans and collecting from all the people. Whatever our financial wealth or lack of it, such status will determine how we follow or disregard the call of Jesus to be followers and disciples of him.
Zacchaeus is an example of what is possible with God, for one who was despised as a tax gatherer. Jesus passed by the sycamore tree where Zacchaeus was placed. It has been suggested that he was hiding from those he taxed and embarrassed about having an interest in Jesus.
Nonetheless, Jesus saw him and in love and compassion asked to visit him, to share hospitality in his own home. Zacchaeus believed and repented of his excessive taxation actions and promised to repay money he owed to people. Typically Jesus was criticised for associating himself with such a sinner and friend of the Romans.
Jesus sees us better than ourselves. The birds nestle in the trees for shelter and hide away from all their foes and that is good. Jesus looks out for both people and birds in trees and on the ground to love and care for. He call us all to serve him and if required to be honest and upright in every way both for the benefit of the ruling authorities and the general public. It is also very important to pay our taxes that we owe and to repay all the debts that we have incurred even over the years we have forgotten about or avoided.
Gentiles – The Broken Olive Tree branch and a New Shoot from it
Romans 11: 11-24
Here the apostle Paul uses a metaphor to explain the relationship between the Gentile Christian and the Jewish believer. The Gentiles are not to boast and be arrogant about their Christian faith as a result of the life and ministry of Jesus. The gift of saving grace can cause them to feel proud in a wrong sense and it is not to be seen as a separation from the Jewish faith. Rather the Gentiles as olive branches are supported by the root and not the other way around.
Pride comes before a fall, so we always need to be humble and dependent on God’s grace and not on our own strength or abilities. Branches of a tree brake off and wild olive strains are grafted to replace the broken branches.
Thank you Anita unsplash.com
Gentiles are like a wild olive shoot grafted onto the purposes of Gods redeeming grace. A grafted shoot feeds off the goodness of the original roots. Trees cut down do restore and renew themselves in time. The Christian faith represents new shoots from the original olive branch and as we abide in the Lord he prunes us and enables us to flourish and blossom in our own unique ways.
A Relationship Restored – The Tree of Life
Revelation 22: 1-6
In the beginning instructions were given in regards the use of the trees of knowledge and evil. During these closing chapters in Revelation the apostle John shares his vision of a Holy City that relates to the vision shared in Ezekiel 40. In Genesis the perfect relationship between God and his creation was broken. Here we read about a reconnection that includes a picture of a crystal clear river that flows from the throne of God and the Lamb.
On each side of the river grew Trees of Life, bearing twelve crops of fruit that produced a fresh crop each month. The leaves of the trees were used for medicine to heal the nations. Within the city it is only God’s presence that exists and there will be no place for any form of evil.
Everyone in the city will worship the Lord and be able to see personally his face and have his name shown on all their foreheads. There would be no need for light as there is no night, for the Lord is the light and reigns forever.
In this perfect world the perfect birds will freely enjoy the trees of life and all the people will live a new and restored life. The Holy City represents the church prepared as a bride and adorned for her husband. The hope for us all is that heaven comes to earth and establishes the Kingdom of God and in the mean time we can experience that ‘thin line’ between heaven and earth knowing the personal presence of the Lord by his Spirit. .
Take Away
What can we glean from these six very different life situations?
The world has a thirst for knowledge that may bring power and understanding. Knowledge without humility and godliness can and will eventually lead to evil and the abuse by humankind to each other and all of God’s creation.
Right from birth we all require places of love, security and refuge. Home and shelters are important and when accidents or malicious offences occur we value a place of safety where offenders are kept safe from the general public. We give thanks that “God is our refuge and strength a present help in times of trouble” (Psalm 46: 1).
From whom do we get our guidance for daily and holy living? Is it the newspapers, TV or socials? The Bible is our Daily Bread and it beholds us to know and then follow the words of the Lord for us because if we don’t we will find ourselves in trouble or even the loss of life.
With the Lord it does not matter if we are rich or poor. What does matter is how we use what income, possessions and talents we have for the benefit of all we love and care for. Jesus sees how we really are and who we can excel to be, in the present and in the future.
‘I must stay at your house today’ Thank you freebibleimages.org
Independence and pride are characteristics that can be the sources of our downfall body, mind and spirit. Jesus spent time with the Father and was baptised and comforted by the Holy Spirt. Each aspect of the Godhead is unique but they all work in harmony. As Christians our faith and actions come from the root and branches of the Jewish faith and not separate from it.
We are all looking for healing and wholeness on a daily basis. From the fall we struggle in many ways. There is a promised day when the Holy City will take rule on earth. The leaves of the tress will be for the healing of the nations and the birds will sing even louder and be able to live next to the cat and those who would otherwise harm them.
Selah: (Pause to think calmly on what has just been read) and check out A Time to Worship and Motivational Moments
Graham
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