the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Dictionaries
Trees
Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types
or Deuteronomy 16:21 (b) These groves were very immoral and vile inventions of wicked men. They were not groves of trees, as we understand a grove. They were human creations to arouse the passions and lead to vile immoralities. (See under "GROVE").
Judges 9:8 (a) This is an interesting allegory. The olive tree represents a leader who was wise, kind, helpful and fruitful. The fig tree represents an Israelite who was busy and useful in the service of his people. The people could not find a worthwhile man to rule over them, and so they took the bramble, which was Abimelech, to be their King. They chose a man who brought them into terrible trouble.
1 Chronicles 16:33 (b) This is a poetic picture of all the people of Israel who would rejoice and sing when their King, the Messiah, returns to be their Lord and leader. (See Psalm 96:12).
Psalm 74:5 (b) This is a case of irony. It is equivalent to the woman who boasted that she had made more quilts in the sewing circle than anybody else. When questioned about her spiritual condition, she had never been born again, knew nothing about the Scriptures, and had no spiritual experience. It is like the man who wore42Sunday school medals on his coat for faithful attendance, and yet could not quote a verse of Scripture, and had no experience of meeting the Saviour.
Psalm 104:16 (b) It is quite evident that those who are the "planting of the Lord" and know the Holy Spirit are vigorous, active Christians as a tree is filled with leaves and fruit when the sap is flowing.
Psalm 148:9 (b) Those praise GOD in song and worship who are living fruitful, useful, valuable lives for their Lord.
Song of Solomon 2:3 (a) CHRIST is the apple tree in this verse. Those who love Him love to be with Him, and to partake of the riches of His grace which He gives so freely.
Isaiah 10:19 (b) GOD promises to destroy the leaders of Israel until they are few in number. The leaders are the trees.
Isaiah 55:12 (b) These trees represent the happy people of GOD and their leaders because of the restoration of Israel under the good hand of their GOD. As there are many kinds of trees, and many sizes of trees, so the verse indicates that all kinds of people in the nation of Israel will enjoy the presence of the Lord and His blessings.
Isaiah 61:3 (a) The people of GOD are called "trees of righteousness" when they are restored, and are again a growing, fruitful nation.
Ezekiel 47:7 (b) The river which represents the Holy Spirit, when operating freely, produces converts, saved people who become trees of righteousness, planted by the river, and bearing fruit. This should be true in every orthodox, evangelical church.
Matthew 3:10 (b) Our Lord indicates in this verse that GOD gets at the bottom of things and examines thoroughly the motives and purposes of those He judges. (See Luke 3:9).
Mark 8:24 (a) In Oriental countries where the houses are made of branches of trees, men go to the water courses, cut down branches of willows, and other trees, and carry these home to be used for thatch. As the men walk along the road carrying these great masses of leafy branches, it is difficult to see their feet or legs. This blind man had never seen such a sight. When he saw the mass of trees going down the road, and could not see the legs of the carriers, he thought that the trees were walking. As he became more accustomed to looking, he finally discerned beneath the branches the bodies of the men who were carrying them. This is a picture of the way untaught Christians misinterpret the Scriptures. Not knowing the Holy Spirit as their teacher they get wrong impressions from various portions of the Word, and so come to wrong conclusions. This leads to the establishment of false religions.
Mark 11:13 (b) The fig tree always represents Israel in her national position. (The olive tree represents Israel from the religious viewpoint. See under "FIG"). Our Lord had come to Israel expecting to receive from them a royal welcome as their King. They should have rendered to Him praise, worship and obedience. He found nothing but a profession of faith in GOD (the leaves). He therefore cursed the nation of Israel, and they became dispersed throughout the whole world.
Luke 21:29 (a) Our Lord describes in this passage the beginning of the restoration of Israel which we see today. The fig tree is Israel. It has been revived as a nation. All the other nations are busy seeking to reject Israel as a nation, and refuse all her claims.
Judges 1:12 (a) By this figure the Lord is telling us of His hatred of the hypocrite who intrudes himself into GOD's church and infiltrates the people of GOD with his hypocrisy. He produces no fruit for GOD. His influence wanes. He is dead to GOD and useless to his fellowmen, and has no posterity. Each type of a tree represents a different truth as follows:
Palm tree - it represents the individual Christian life living for GOD in the midst of adverse conditions such as the palm tree has in the desert. It sends its tap root down a great distance until it finds water, and then flourishes. So the Christian finds the secret place of fellowship with GOD, drinks the water of life from the Word of GOD, walks with the Spirit of GOD, and so is a radiant believer. (See Psalm 92:12).
Cedar tree - it represents the collective Christian life, for cedars grow in forests and not as the palm tree which dwells almost alone. Cedars help each other. They support each other. They protect each other. So Christians seek the fellowship of other Christians.
Fig tree - it represents Israel from the political standpoint as a nation.
Olive tree - it represents Israel from the religious standpoint as the people of GOD.
Willow tree - it represents the sorrowing believer because of separation from loved ones, or from the homeland.
Oak tree - it represents sorrow because of death. Deborah was buried under an oak tree. ( Genesis 35:8). Absalom died in an oak tree. ( 2 Samuel 18:14). Saul was buried under an oak tree. ( 1 Chronicles 10:12). The bitterness of the oak tree is compared to the bitterness of death.
Fir tree - it represents the happy, radiant Christian life under every circumstance and throughout the year.
Myrtle tree - it represents joyous experiences in the Christian life.
Pine tree - it represents prosperity for those who walk with GOD, and believe Him.
Thorn tree - it represents the disagreeable life filled with antagonisms, criticisms and hatreds.
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Watson, Walter. Entry for 'Trees'. Wilson's Dictoinary of Bible Types. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/wdt/t/trees.html. 1957.
