Trees: an extended study of the significance of trees in the Bible.

Introduction.

When God creates all things good for human beings, a specific tree is mentioned: the Tree of Life (Gen 2. 9). It is put in the middle of the Garden of Eden: this garden planted by God (Gen 2. 8).

At the pivot point in the history of humanity is the Tree of the Cross, the life-giving tree.

History comes to an end as the Tree of Life is again mentioned. At the very end of time, it flourishes, perhaps as a group of trees, on both sides of the River of the Water of Life which flows from the Throne of God (Rev 22. 1 – 3). This is in the Holy City of the New Creation.

All through the Bible there is mention of trees and they are often used in familiar stories and events, in poetry and prophesy. They play a part in the story of redemption. In this set of reflections various aspects of trees (some admittedly fairly tenuous) will be examined. Hopefully this will lead to further thought or investigation on the part of the reader.

In general a chronological or historical approach will be used but some freedom and flexibility may also be applied if deemed appropriate or expedient.

This theme has been chosen to take us through the Trinity season because the liturgical colour for this season is green, evoking thoughts of new life, flourishing and hope.

Aaron’s Rod and almonds

‘The staff of Aaron had sprouted It put forth buds, produced blossoms, and bore ripe almonds.’ [Numbers 17. 8]

In the ancient world and today a rod was a symbol of authority (wardens’ staves, Black Rod). During the oppression in Egypt there was a succession of plagues. These occurred while Moses was trying to persuade Pharaoh to let the people leave but Pharaoh would not co-operate. Aaron demonstrated the authority of Moses and himself in various competitions with Pharaoh’s wise men. Aaron threw down his staff and it turned into a snake [Ex 7. 10] which swallowed up the snake-rods of the Egyptians. When Aaron struck the waters of the Nile with his rod, the waters turned to blood [Ex 7. 20. The plague of frogs was initiated by the stretching of Aaron’s rod over the rivers [Ex 8. 6] and later the gnats appeared [Ex 8. 17].

Later, having escaped from Egypt, there is disagreement between the families as they travel through the wilderness about which tribe should be the priestly cast. Moses asks for twelve rods, one from each tribe, to be put into the Tent of Meeting. Each rod was to have the name of the leader of the family on it. For the tribe of Levi this was Aaron. The next day when Moses went into the Tent he found that it was Aaron’s rod that had sprouted [Numbers 17. 8]. From then the tribe of Levi performed all the priestly duties [Num 18] and had no land but were given tithes by the other families so that they could take on the responsibility of worship. This is the basis of the idea of a stipend.

The rod is also mentioned in the Letter to the Hebrews, speaking of the earthly and the heavenly sanctuaries: ‘Behind the second curtain was a tent called the Holy of Holies. In it stood the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which there were a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded’ [Hebrews 9. 3 – 4].

Heavenly Father,
your bounty exceeds all that we desire or deserve.
Inspire us to be generous in our giving to the Church
of our time, talents and financial assets
so that its ministers may continue to proclaim the Gospel
confident in the support of all God’s people.