Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sittieth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law he doth meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
There is nothing in creation with quite the same solemn beauty as an ancient tree? They are one of those creations of God that command reverence. My Dad once told me, "If I didn't know God I would worship a tree." And throughout history many people have. What makes them even more amazing to me is that we know this majestic giant started as a small seed.
Resurrection power is in that seed. The power that creates this unshakable giant is in that tiny seed. Each one of us start with a seed. Miracles are in that seed. Events that can change history are in that seed. Perhaps there is something to Jack and the Bean Stalk, who traded all he had for some magic seeds.
It is no coincidence that in the Bible descendants are called seed. Jesus himself came to earth as a seed in the womb of Mary. After returning from the wilderness in the power of the Spirit, Jesus begins his ministry by quoting Isaiah 61. "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. (Isaiah 61:1-3)"
Jesus came not only to save that which was lost, broken, and bound, but to transform us into trees of righteousness. This word tree or
ayil in the Hebrew has a 4 fold meaning:
1. a ram
a. ram as food
b. ram as a sacrifice
c. ram as the red-dyed ramskin of the tabernacle
2. column or pillar
3. a strong man or leader
4. and finally tree.
You might think what does a ram have to do with a column. But volutes on the columns of that day often had a spiral or scroll shape that resembled a ram's horn and often this Hebrew Word for ram was used to describe the whole column. I think it is interesting to note the symbolism behind that part of the meaning of the word
ayil. In the 4 fold definition, ram is the first meaning listed and the only one subdivided. It is subdivided into ram as food, ram as a sacrifice, and ram as the red dyed ram skin used for the tabernacle. These allusions when applied to us as these
ayil of righteousness are beautiful. First, Jesus said I am the Bread of Life. This is my body take it and eat. In the same way we are to be that food to a starving world. We are to feed His sheep. Second we are called to be living sacrifices. Third, the red dyed ram skin is a picture of our fleshly body redeemed, transformed by the blood of the Lamb in order to make a habitation for the living God, a place for His glory to dwell and manifest. The layers of deep meaning behind every jot and tittle of the Word astound me. Even small details, such as the capital of a column, or the type skin used in the tabernacle are imbued with profound symbolism.
The Hebrew word
ayil is further defined as a column or pillar, and also a strong man or leader. Lastly
ayil has the meaning of tree and particularly the terebinth tree. Which was regarded by many in that time as a sacred tree. Many mighty men of the Bible such as Abraham had encounters with God under a terebinth tree. Further study of this tree brings to light certain qualities that should characterize a believer's life. May we be these sacred trees of righteousness.
All this might and mystery begins with a seed, faith as a mustard seed, or as Isaiah calls it, "the planting of the Lord." This seed of greatness is within us. The very kingdom of God is in this seed. May we protect it, nurture it, and see it grow as we delight in His Word and meditate on it day and night. As I think again about my Dad's words, "If I didn't know God I would worship a tree," I pray that when people stop to rest beneath my shade, that they will encounter God also.
