The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree: He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of Yahweh; They shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; They shall be full of sap and green. To show that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.Here David speaks of the righteous as a flourishing Palm-tree.
He even goes on to tell us how they grow…they grow like the cedar in Lebanon. But, how do the cedars in Lebanon grow? Until we know, how will we possible understand this beautiful poetic metaphor?
- Lebanon cedars grow at elevations of 4,264-6,888 ft.
- They grow best in deep soil on slopes facing the sea.
As Christians our roots must go down deep. We must be rooted and established in our faith [Col. 2:7], keeping our minds stayed on the Lord and our faces toward the harvest, (the sea of lost humanity). That is our co-mission.
- The trees require a lot of light and about 40 inches (1000 mm) of rain a year.
Like the cedars of Lebanon we require much light and rain in order to grow properly, thus we must remain continually in God’s Word which is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our paths [Ps. 119:105]. Allowing the rain of the Spirit to come down over us refreshing through times in His presence and in prayer.
- The cedars can grow 80 feet tall and spread out from 30-50 feet.
How encouraging to know that we can grow tall in spiritual stature and spread out on every side. Reaching in all directions to those in need.
- They grow very slowly.
Thus our need for patience while we are growing. As a tree can not run away as it awaits it’s fruitful season. So we must remain steadfast in Christ as we wait for the rewards of our faith. It is through Faith and patience that we will reap, not through faith alone [Heb. 6:12].
- The oldest tree is more than 1000 years old.
Like the cedar we too, are promised longevity [Ps. 91:16], good life, fruitful life bearing fruit in our old age.
- The Lebanon cedar doesn't flower until it is 25-30 years old.
Jesus was around 30 years old according to historic records before he begin his actual ministry. Born the Son of God, growing in the house of God, teaching and being taught … preparation time is never wasted time. To bring forth fruit out of season can be bitter and harmful, thus we must allow ourselves time to grow before we go.
- The flowers, or catkins are unisexual, with both male and female flowers on the same tree, with the ability to produce of itself.
God has given each of us male and female the ability to bring forth. Not because we are either male or female … but because we are Spirit. God's Spirit is neither male nor female and is able to produce of himself through us (male and female) in the earth.
Gen. 1:27-28
27 So God created man in his own image (spirit), in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them (bodies).
28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Now we can better understand the David’s text:
The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree: He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of Yahweh; They shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; They shall be full of sap and green. To show that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
To often we read the Bible in it’s poetic form, and yet fail to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us, to teach us and lead us into all truth.
The Word of God tells us to study to show ourselves approved. Therefore, we must discipline ourselves to be good students of the Word, always consciously sensitive to our teacher. When we do we will be ready for the test that life brings, and useful in the earth.
