Shema “Tree of Life” Living Series, #3
A Palm Tree of Life
Beginning…Middle…End…the tree of life illustration communicates a replete earthly reality, a heavenly hope, and a spiritually wonderful truth of God and His plan to not only love and care but also a powerful message of promise and possibility for His people.
In Genesis 1-3 the tree of life represented the good choice of God’s love. In Revelation 22 it is the amazing and abundant tree of profound reward and perpetual nutrition. In Psalm 1 the tree of life, in contrast to being chaff, portrays the godly person who, in choosing to rejoice 24/7 in God’s Word, is planted, fruitful, prospers, and is known by God.
This tree of life imagery becomes further explained and understood by the actual trees that are mentioned in the Bible. Learning how they grow and produce becomes a remarkable commentary of not only how God’s nature works but ignites a spiritual parable to better understand and vividly apply one’s eternal life in Christ Jesus. This “Tree of Life” series now begins to look at specific trees often mentioned in the Scripture. Let us begin with the Palm Tree.
The godly grow like a palm tree (Psalm 92:12a)
So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him. They began to shout, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!” (John 12:13)
The palm tree mentioned in the Bible is the date palm tree. The tree’s fruit was a basic part of the diet. The word “grow” in Psalm 92:12 signifies the idea of flourishing. Thus, the idea to sprout and to grow is underscored. I love how the Amplified Bible expands this growth-flourishing idea with the following addition: The [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like the palm tree [be long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful]…
Each of these characteristics extends description to further define spiritual flourishing in a believer. To be in Christ underscores endurance and noble character. That as God’s tree of life we are useful as we allow His life to flow in and through us into abundant fruit-nutrition for others. (See John 15)
A couple of characteristics that must be emphasized about the palm tree is where and how it develops. First, the palm tree grows in an arid and dry environment. Though in desert conditions an average growth of a palm tree could be 40 to 50 feet tall and some even up to the height of 80 feet. Flourishing indeed in such a climate! Second, a palm tree’s growth happens slowly and develops from the inside-out. This slow and steady growth communicates how the tree is enduring but also equipped to support the heavy weight of the fruit that hangs down from the very top of the tree. Yet, the tree remains stable and erect with minimal water and endures during times of high winds.
The tree’s development speaks well to a disciple’s growth as a palm tree of life. For a follower of Christ to grow carefully and steadily endure towards vigor and longevity is a wonderful testimony. Oh that God’s people would be life-long learners and in a state of health to keep responding to God’s invitations throughout life. Moreover, that we, too, like the palm tree, grow spiritually from the inside-out. Tree of life external growth is to be a by-product of internal heart cleansing, character growth, and continual mental adjustment to love God through life’s circumstances. Through this internal challenge and mental pressure the Christian palm tree of life grows through the struggle and bears fruit. Such an organic spiritual pattern will exude the beauty and fruitfulness of Christ like the earthly date palm tree.
Finally, not only is the tree itself mentioned in Scripture but also the palm tree’s branches are emphasized. Palm trees and their branches were engraved in the temple walls. (1 Kings 6:29, 32, 35) Palm tree branches are primarily familiar to us because of the crowd that welcomed Jesus waving those branches on that wonderful, yet fateful, day Jesus entered prior to His cross. (John 12:13) Symbolically, palm tree branches denote joy and victory. The crowd welcoming Jesus with branches matched a familiar and common scene when the non-military citizens welcomed the victorious king and his military home. Thus, we know and experience today our spiritual joy and victory through Christ who experienced the cross as an entrance into resurrection life. Nothing greater to be a palm branch-waving follower of Christ!
Our Father, we humbly ask You to empower us to be a palm tree of life that grows under earthly pressure, experiences joy and victory in Christ, and endures under the weight as well as perseveres in the dry seasons of life. We know You love fruit! We trust by Your grace our life connection to You will be palm tree-like so a rich harvest is produced for Your kingdom and exhibits Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
