I’ve always been enchanted by trees, especially those with humungous outstretched arms, torsos broad as several Incredible Hulks, supported by bulging legs anchored in the soil.
I just described a human tree. Of course, this is just a metaphor. The imagination is a powerful tool, but human trees exist only in movies and fictional writings.
Whether fictional, non-fictional, or parables, trees are less likely to be compared to humans than humans are to trees, the living skyscrapers of the world.
Contrary to this likelihood, the Bible relates a story in Judges chapter seven about trees selecting a king. The following is a Biblical metaphor where trees are presented as men.
Jotham, the only survivor of the massacre of his 20 brothers, tells the following parable about leadership to his people using trees.
“The trees once went forth to anoint a king over them. And they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us!” But the olive tree said to them, “Should I cease giving my oil, with which they honor God and men, and go to sway over trees?”
Then the trees made the same request to the fig tree and vine and received similar responses.
The fig tree responded, “Should I give up my fruit, so good and sweet? The vine told the trees, “Should I give up my wine, which cheers both God and humans?
The vine, along with the fig and olive tree, represented good, productive leadership and character.
Guess who accepted the request to be king and leader over the people? The ruthless bad guy, a thornbush.
This is a great story that uses trees as metaphors to show that character and leadership matter. The people chose Abimelek, described as a thornbush, to be their king. They chose corruption over character. Leadership void of fruits of servitude to God is rebellion, which is a form of idolatry.
What a great place to find any unusual parable about trees.
People who stand for justice, peace, and equality with the love of God are leaders of great character and fruitful trees. Trees serve us in many ways.
Trees are essential for shelter and our way of life. They produce oxygen, provide shade, prevent soil erosion, and produce seeds for fruit and future trees.
There are physical trees, and there are metaphorical trees.
The Bible also compares humans to the strength of trees such as oaks and compares trees to righteousness, fruitfulness, and other aspects of life.
The Bible describes people who love and obey God as well-watered trees with vibrant leaves that yield good fruit. These trees are healthy. They experience neither pestilence, drought, nor disease.
The trees or people that God establishes or plants will be trees of righteousness for his glory.
We are familiar with the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge, which is the tree of good and evil. The Tree of Life represents restoration, healing, eternal life, and all of God’s provisions for his creations.
Trees are traditional symbols of many things we value in life: strength, growth, wisdom, endurance, morality, and much more.
Trees have a language of their own; their nature mirrors many things about human nature: they age, adapt, and are great storytellers of time and seasons. They have great memories that await discovery.
Christians rooted in God are strong trees and bring forth fruit to glorify God.
I hope that you are happy and well.