Like A Tree
In the poetry of the Bible, a “righteous man” is often likened to a tree. Let us see how the varied qualities of different trees are made to picture forth the nature of a man who ‘delights himself in goodness.’
A Tree Planted by Water
In the first Psalm, for example, he is described as a tree planted by the rivers of water, bringing forth fruit in his season, his leaf also shall not wither. Isaiah, speaking of those blessed by the Spirit of God, said that they spring up with tenderness and grace of willows by the water-courses. The prophet Jeremiah said, “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is, for he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river…not careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.”
A Tree Bearing Fruit
In the Fifty-second Psalms, the man who “rests in the Lord” is contrasted with one who as a green olive tree, fair, and of great beauty and goodly fruit. The Ninety-second Psalms depicts the good man as flourishing like the palm tree, growing like a cedar of Lebanon, and bringing forth fruit in old age.
A Tree With Qualities
In the Bible, too, there are ancient traditions of sacred trees, under whose boughs a man could rest, breathe in prophetic insights, see visions, and dream dreams. The grace of the palm, the strength of the cedar, the stability of the oak, and the fruitfulness of the olive were all familiar to the people of Israel. The plumy imperial palm, symbol of victory and eternal life, enhanced the splendor of palaces and temples. The olive tree could continue bearing for twenty generations, and still surround itself with vigorous young shoots. The evergreen oaks were opulently beautiful. The cedars of Lebanon, said to have been growing since the Flood, had their timbers built into temples. No other figure of speech could express more beautiful the spirit of a good man, upright, steadfast, vital and serene, unperturbed by transient drought and storm, enduring influential, comforting to those who reposed themselves against his strength. Such a man, like a tree, is “planted,” and draws unfailing nourishment from high up and deep down, from the quickening sunlight, and the living waters always flowing about the roots of life.
Vessie V. Moore
Of Clarksdale, MO
Born 11 Dec 1895 - Died July 1971 (aged 75)
