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| English: Gustav Klimt: The Tree of Life (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Genesis 2:8-9
New International Version (NIV)
There are thirty-seven different kinds of trees mentioned in the Bible. Specific types of wood were called for in building things like Noah's ark, the Ark of the Covenant, and the Great Temple in Jerusalem. Trees play many roles in Biblical history and are often referred to metaphorically. Jesus Christ was crucified on a "tree" while Judas hung himself from an actual tree.
Trees are symbols of strength and stature. Certain individuals and we as humans are sometimes compared to trees. Trees have long lives, can be found in many places, and provide protection and comfort. The wood from the trees can be shaped into useful items or used for building structures, ships, or furniture. Trees are tremendously versatile and useful.
Another point of interest is that in the beginning of creation God placed a "Tree of Life" in the Garden of Eden. In the last chapter of the Bible we are told that in Heaven the Garden of Eden will be restored and we will once again have the Tree of Life.
Trees are all around us. If every time we saw a tree we thought about Jesus, we'd be thinking about Jesus a lot.
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life,bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
Revelation 22:1-2
New International Version (NIV)
