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Jeremiah 17:8-For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.
God’s good Earth teaches us many powerful and profound lessons. Solomon was a wise king who understood the value of being a “scientist” who carefully studied the secrets of nature which enhanced his appreciation for the Creator of all things:
1 Kings 4:33-Also he spoke of trees, from the cedar tree of Lebanon even to the hyssop that springs out of the wall; he spoke also of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and of fish.
Some of the great lessons of God’s Word may be found in contemplating trees.
The psalmist wrote:
Psalm 1:1-6-Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Here, the Bible likens a godly man to a tree, and we can see some ways that they are similar.
Let’s study.
First, we are told about the planting of the godly person. The idea of the word “planted” is that of a tree planted in good soil, with solid roots. I cannot help but think here of Paul’s words to our brothers and sisters at Colossae:
Colossians 2:6-7-As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
Listen to what Barclay tells us of this passage:
“They must be rooted and built up in him. There are two pictures here. The word used for rooted is the word which would be used of a tree with its roots deep in the soil. The word used for built up is the word which would be used of a house erected on a firm foundation. Just as the great tree is deep-rooted in the soil and draws its nourishment from it, so Christians are rooted in Christ, the source of their lives and their strength. Just as the house stands fast because it is built on strong foundations, so the Christian life is resistant to any storm because it is founded on the strength of Christ. Christ is both the source of the Christian life and the foundation of stability for all Christians.” (William Barclay, The Letters to the Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians (The New Daily Study Bible), 152-153 (Kindle Edition): Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press).
The idea then of being “planted” is of being so rooted and anchored in good soil that the storms will not tear us out when they come. We see here that we need to be rooted in Christ, which is the only true and solid ground upon which we can have confidence.
In the same way also, we are reminded here of the necessity of having our lives continually and completely attached to the Lord. Without Him we can do nothing (John 15:1-8).
We also see here the nourishing of the godly person. Notice the necessity for the tree to maintain a healthy “diet” of sunlight, water, and sustenance. It needs to be tended, and must drink deeply from the rivers of water. So also, the people of God receive nourishment from God’s own Word, found in nature and in Scripture. Does the text not remind us that our delight needs to be in the Law of the Lord? Should we not meditate on His Law “day and night?”
What’s more, we find nourishment from other Christians who build us up and encourage us as well. Do we also not need “the congregation of the righteous” in our lives? Is this not one reason that we assemble regularly for worship and study: to be encouraged, and to encourage each other (Hebrews 10:24-25)?
Part of this nourishing will also involve being aware of dangerous companionships. It isn’t that we are to separate ourselves from the world (1 Corinthians 5:1-11), but we must be on guard against being “unequally yoked” with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14). Two animals of different sizes joined together while ploughing a field would soon begin to have problems, as the smaller one would tire faster and the larger one would then have to do the work of both animals and exhaust himself faster. In the same way, if we allow ourselves to be “unequally yoked” with non-Christians, we could find ourselves in serious spiritual jeopardy.
Finally, God’s people are like trees in the fruit that they produce. The tree that is planted with strong roots and is nourished well shall indeed bear its fruit in its season. That speaks of growth taking place over time. When we allow ourselves to trust in the Lord, walking with Him and heeding the teachings of His Word, we will indeed see growth. We will (over time) see the fruit of the Spirit in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23). I am reminded of a particular tree that Doug Batchelor writes about:
“The alien-looking baobab tree of Africa, Australia, and Madagascar is sometimes referred to as “the tree of life” because it provides shelter, clothing, food, and water for both man and animal. The bloated trunk of the tree can store thousands of gallons of water in its spongy, fibrous wood during the rainy season, which it then uses during the subsequent dry period. The tree produces a fruit called “monkey bread,” which contains more vitamin C than four oranges. Other parts of the tree are useful as well. For example, the pollen can be used as glue, and the oily, protein-packed seeds can be roasted and eaten. Young leaves can be used like spinach and have lots of calcium, while the fibrous trunk can be woven into rope, cloth, mats, and paper. Even the bark can be used to make tea. Older trees are often hollow, providing living space for animals and humans. Many baobab trees appear to be ancient, dated many thousands of years old. One aged tree in South Africa measures 72 feet high and 155 feet in circumference.” (Doug Batchelor, The All-New book of Amazing Facts Vol. 3, 9-10 (Kindle Edition): Roseville, CA: Amazing Facts International)
How are your roots?
Are you nourishing your soul in the ways that you need to be?
Are you being mindful of your relationships-with the Lord, with other believers, and with non-believers?
If you need to make some changes, take the first step today!
Father, make us like strong and abundant trees planted by rivers of water. Amen.