Like the tree of ‘˜Good and Evil’ in the Garden of Eden, trees have been the symbol for a message to man. Trees have played an important role in the history of man; there has always been a mystic appeal and for man to convey. This can be found in Genesis 2:9.
In Daniel, the second chapter, we see the image of another tree; the top of this tree touched the sky and the tree symbolized King Nebuchadnezzar. The King said this about the tree he saw in a dream or vision. Daniel said this tree was symbolic of King Nebuchadnezzer. Here is how he expressed the vision.
“Now these were the visions in my mind as I lay on my bed. I was looking and the, there was a tree in the middle of the earth and its height was great. The tree grew large and became strong and its height reached to the sky, and it was a visible to the end of the whole earth.”
Jesus Christ was a carpenter by trade. Wood is a primal element in the universe. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ were forced to carry a tree on His back to Golgotha, where He was finally fastened to the tree by cruel nails. We sing about the ‘˜Old Rugged Cross.’
We are unable to phantom the suffering and pain endured by Our Savior-on that “tree” that stands as a symbol of the price He paid for our salvation.
Trees have a mystic about them. They are glorious with life and yet they do not speak as humans communicate but they project such a powerful image to our imagination and to our comfort. Different species of trees hold their own unique significance and each species has specific identifying qualities. For example, one tree that the Bible mentions is the fig tree. Jesus was walking by one and it was the time that fig trees was supposed to produce. Because it didn’t and it was bare the fig tree was cursed. Men are like that fig tree, we are supposed to be productive in producing good fruit here on earth. When we don’t we suffer the consequences which sometimes can be devastating.
The Aspen tree is a tree that grows by sprouting shoots from their roots. A grove can be produced from one single tree and live for thousands of years. Aspen trees are noted for overcoming fears and doubts.
The Ash tree is symbolic of sensitivity, higher awareness and sacrifice. The wood of this tree is white, straight grained and very durable.
The Apple tree symbolizes happiness, good fruit, youth and beauty. The ancient Celts considered the apple tree a treasure.
They would decorate bedchambers with apple blossoms as a fertility gesture.
These are examples of how trees have impacted the psychic of humanity.
In almost every culture of earth, trees have held symbolic and mystic meaning to the people.
We use a tree at Christmas time to decorate and celebrate the holiday. We generally use a Pine tree for Christmas. Pine is symbolic of creativity, life, longevity and immortality. Twenty-two types of trees are expressly referred to in The Bible. They are the Acacia, Almond, Apple, Olive, Cypress, Date Palm, Ebony, Carob, Fig, Frankincense, Tamarisk, Oak, Pine, Shittah, Pomegranate, Poplar, Sycamore Fig, Walnut, and Willow. In the Book of Revelation, the Wormwood tree is mentioned. Trees and (wood) are mentioned more than 500 times in The Holy Bible. Trees are also referenced to in other holy books, such as the Koran.
The Koran speaks of a tree, which is not mentioned in The Word of God. This tree is called “the tree of hell.” It is described as foul smelling and bears fruit like a devil’s head.
A quote from Sura 56:41-56 says the following.
“O ye that go wrong, and treat (truth) as a falsehood! Ye will surely taste of the tree of zaqqum.”
O ye that go wrong, and treat (truth) as falsehood! Ye will surely taste of the tree of zaqqum.
The interesting thing about trees, here in the 21st century, is Israel is the only country on earth that has more forested land at the end of the 20th century than at the beginning of the 21st century.
In an article by Claire Adler, Special JNF (Jewish National Fund) correspondent, she wrote the following.
“Israel’s ego-system continues to flourish due to the planting of over 220 million trees by Jewish National Fund. Indeed, Israeli foresters have been growing trees where it’s impossible, according to Lawrence Amicarella, Emeritus Director of Fire & Aviation Management at the United States Forest Services (USFS), with whom the JNF is working in partnership.”
