Shema “Tree of Life” Living Series #2

This blogpost is a continuation of the Introduction in Part #1 of this “Tree of Life” series. Where the tree of life not only begins and ends the scriptural text but also  the Divine  tree of life imagery surfaces in the middle of the Bible. (I was taught as a child when learning “tools” to navigate where the books of the Bible are, “The Book of Psalms” is located in the middle of your Bible.)

The particular psalm that garners our attention is Psalm 1. It is an interesting psalm to begin with as it begins as a blessing, that is, a closing benediction to a worship service is what launches the Jewish hymn book. In the heart of the song the parable of being like a tree illustrates the righteous person.

How blessed is the one who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand in the pathway with sinners, or sit in the assembly of scoffers! Instead he finds pleasure in obeying the LORD’s commands; he meditates on his command’s day and night. He is like a tree planted by flowing streams; it yields its fruit at the proper time, and its leaves never fall off. He succeeds in everything he attempts. Not so with the wicked! Instead they are like wind-driven chaff. For this reason the wicked cannot withstand judgment, nor can sinners join the assembly of the godly. Certainly the LORD guards the way of the godly, but the way of the wicked ends in destruction. (Psa 1:1-6)

Before the tree of life  imagery is presented we have what I call, some ‘R & R.’ That is, some ‘Restriction & Rejoicing.’ In verse 1 we see that the godly person places some restrictions over his or her heart and on his or her daily life. The restriction focuses on not being with the wrong people and giving them time to listen, stand, or sit in listening and heeding their counsel or in their gathering places. Yet, this life restriction has a replacement and that is a real and genuine delight in learning and obeying God’s commands…His Word (v. 2). Time spent in this direction is done with joy and delight as well as regularly and constantly. The righteous, just person has her or his day not only full with activity and opportunity but filled with true joy.

This benedictory introduction moves into the outcome of the God-follower’s restricting-rejoicing synergy. This person’s life is described as a tree transplanted to a strategic and prolific location. Let’s bullet list this wonderful and powerful description:

·       “planted by rivers of water”—here the strategic location is given…the righteous person, as a tree of life, is planted by a continual, moving source of fresh water. This denotes that all provision is in place, with abundance, to enable the godly to become a strong, stable, enduring tree with deep roots to enable growth and empower flourishing. This is so amazing and so graphic to one’s imagination so the prophecy of the Messiah’s coming becomes even more unbelievable. In the Isaiah 53 we read: He sprouted up like a twig before God, like a root out of parched soil… (Isa 53:2) When Christ came, His location of growth and development was not beside a flowing stream of water but quite the opposite…“parched soil” was His lot to be that amazing and incredible shoot of growth as the ultimate Tree of Life.

·       “brings forth fruit in season”—fruit…the goal of any plant or tree…bring forth what it was designed to produce. Jesus’ New Testament teaching accentuates this point …the goal of the tree and His desire and purpose for you and I as His tree of life is produce fruit. John 15, the Vine and Branch teaching, underscores this kingdom truth: I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me – and I in him – bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing. (Joh 15:5) The fruit source is Jesus, He is the Vine. The disciple’s/righteous person’s vital necessity is to remain, as His branch, steadfastly in Jesus as the Vine to receive His life-giving sap in order for  fruit to come forth. This fruit is to be much and more and even be fruit that would remain. (vv. 2, 5, 8, and 16) Finally, unlike the Tree of Life of Revelation 22 that continually bears fruit, the Psalm 1 righteous person tree of life produces fruit in season. So, the planting, growing, and bearing fruit happen in a pattern of seasons. The godly person will also have times of dormancy and pruning (John 15:2-3) that will occur but fruit will come forth in its proper, harvest time.

·       “leaf also does not wither”—the tremendous proliferation as a righteous tree of life abounds even to a productive image of tree’s leaves. Two complimentary life application thoughts: (1) with such flourishing leaves it affords the blessing of shade for others. Thus, the tree of life becomes a person of refreshing and rest for other people who need a break from the hot and tiresome trials and times of life. (2) Leaves were often used as a source of herbs that could make various medicines. So, not only are the leaves prolific but they contain potential properties to provide help towards health and wellness. This truth reaches its apex when we capture once again the Revelation Tree of Life: flowing down the middle of the city’s main street. On each side of the river is the tree of life producing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month of the year. Its leaves are for the healing of the nations. (Rev 22:2)

·       “whatever he does shall prosper”—Leaving (no pun intended) the tree of life image the psalmist, in this last summation phrase, speaks directly to what will be the outcome for the godly person…“shall prosper.” That though experiencing times of rest and waiting as well as the duration of needed growth and development, in the end, good and wonderful results will be expressed. The abundance of harvest as well as a source of restoration will become the expected signature of such a life that restricts from the worldly crowd and their interests and replaces that with the joy of valuing God’s Word for knowledge, understanding, and living.

The psalm writer, in verse 4, abruptly shifts to the opposite imagery to describe the wicked individual. Being earlier described as a potential trap in verse 1 for the godly, those who embrace a path and lifestyle of unrighteousness will live a life completely opposite of the tree of life. The phrase that begins the verse, “Not so…” announces that what will be true of the godly person—planted, growth, beauty, fruitful, abundance, beneficial—will not be true of the wicked. Their one life will be like “chaff.” This shell-like covering over the grain gets to the point of not being needed and is easily blown away by the wind or in the threshing process when the harvester would through the grain up in the air that would allow the heavier wheat to fall to the ground but the light, useless, not nutritional, chaff floats away in the wind. This is the life expectancy and life contribution of the ungodly.

Psalm 92:7, entitled “The Sabbath Psalm” speaks of wicked person’s temporary existence but how, in contrast to the LORD, they will not last. When the wicked sprout up like grass, and all the evildoers glisten, it is so that they may be annihilated. It seems that the sole purpose of this temporary chaff-like rise in existence is to provide the opportunity to reveal their life end…eternal desolation and destruction.

Verse 5 develops this doomed reality with the wicked first, in the vertical realm with God. They will not be able to endure His judgment. Moreover, the horizontal relationship to the righteous trees of life will not be known, nor can sinners join the assembly of the godly. This is the lot of the ungodly.

The psalmist concludes this tree of life, righteous person versus the chaff, wicked person benedictory psalm with the words in verse 6, Certainly the LORD guards (or knows) the way of the godly, but the way of the wicked ends in destruction. What an awesome way to show the opposite between the two: guarded/known versus destruction. To know and be known by the LORD is life!  Yet, to live an unrighteous life is to end to ruin, separation…yes, destruction.

Our Father, You really help us when life is broken down. In Psalm 1, You teach us that there are really on two life realities…a tree of life or chaff. The contrast is great and the outcome is greater. Empower Your disciples to be wonderful and abundant trees of life for Your glory. Plant each of us by You, as the River/Water of Life, so we are wonderfully nourished and amazingly productive. This is a work we cannot do within ourselves or own strength and talent. Enable by Your Holy Spirit this life of great growth and powerful refreshment. In Jesus’ name, amen.