By Rabbi Dr. Esther Boucher
WHAT KIND OF TREE ARE YOU?
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Read Isa. 41:8-20
Our focus today is going to be on verses 17-20. This passage of
scripture is an assurance of God's help. It is also prophetic for
our churches God says we are His servants that He has called
and placed us that He has chosen us. We must look on this as an
honor. It is not easy planting a church. But God says "Fear not
for I am with you." It is easy to get discouraged when people
don't come to church, when your church finances always
operate in the red, when the laborers are few. But God says, "Be
not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will
help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." If that
isn't enough, God says He is doing a new thing. He is making
us into a new threshing sledge with sharp teeth an instrument
that in God's hands will pulverize the mountains of our current
difficulties. We are called to expect deliverance as we praise God
in all circumstances.
Read Isa. 17-20
When I first read this scripture God placed a strong desire in my
spirit to look up the characteristics of these trees. I went to the
library and attempted to check out a tree book, but there wasn't
one available. Yet God provided because the librarian had her
own personal copy of a tree book that she entrusted to me, a
perfect stranger. She didn't even ask me for my name or address.
While I couldn't find all the trees listed in that book, God
provided more information through encyclopedias. When I
went to attempt to put the sermon together I ran up against
another obstacle. None of my Bibles or commentaries had any
information on these particular verses. But God kept impressing
my spirit to dig deep and depend on Him that He had a message
of Hope for our church. I went to the Hebrew/Greek Bible and
found a tremendous word.
Vs 17 The poor and needy seek water; but there is none, their
tongues fail for thirst. I, the Lord, will hear them. I, the God of
Israel, will not forsake them. The poor and the needy seek water,
they are seeking something to fill that void that God has placed
in all of us, a void that only God can fill. They look for worldly
things to fill the thirst like drugs, alcohol, sex, money, fame and
prestige. In their search for happiness their tongues (spirits)
fail, they become depressed, suicidal, unhappy as a last resort
they cry out to God. God says He will hear them and will not
forsake them. The Lord does not abandon the poor and
oppressed.
Vs 18 I will open rivers in desolate heights, and fountains in the
midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
and the dry land springs of water. The Holy Spirit is often
represented by water God is going to pour out His spirit in New
England. Isa. 43:19-21 God is doing a new thing. The word land
in Hebrew is Erets and means land of the living. New England is
a dry land a wilderness but restoration and revival are coming. Vs
19 I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia tree, the
myrtle and the oil tree, I will set in the desert the cypress tree and
the pine. And the box tree together. The word set in Hebrew is
Suwm. It means to bring about a change, appoint people to
positions, to establish a new relationship, to assign something to
someone, and to set aside for special purposes. God has a
purpose and special mission for each of us. A tree comes from a
seed. It is born. It breathes and grows. A tree drinks water and
makes food. It produces seeds from which new trees grow. It
provides shade and protection, bears fruit that is refreshing and
useful to man. We are like trees, we are reborn when the seed of
God's word is planted in the soil of our hearts and watered by the
Holy Spirit. Go with me to Luke 8:5 A sower went out to sow his
seed and as he sowed, some feel by the wayside and it was
trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. Those by the
wayside are the ones who hear the word of God, they are our
visitors, people we witness to but because they don't come to
church to get rooted in the word the devil comes and takes away
the word out of their hearts so they can't believe. Some of us
grew up as seed scattered on the path. We had life in us, but
somehow it got trampled down; people walked over us and some
kicked us. Birds flew overhead and some pecked at us and made
fun of us. After a while on the dry road of life, we withdrew, build
a wall of protection around us and said I'm not going to let
anyone hurt me ever again. Vs 6 Some fell on rock and as soon
as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture.
These are those who when they hear the word they get all fired
up and believe for awhile but when temptation comes they can't
make a stand because they have no roots. Some of us grew up on
the rocks with no moisture to maintain us, no nurturing to let us
know we were of value. We didn't have the encouragement we
needed; we wondered who we really are. When we cried for
attention we were told to be quiet. We tried to be what others
wanted us to be, and we grew up confused with roots that never
quite took hold. We withered and dried up emotionally. Vs 7
And some fell among thorns and the thorns sprang up with
it and choked it. The ones who fell among the thorns heard the
word but get choked with the cares, riches and pleasures the
world offers and they bring no fruit to maturity. Some of us grew
up choked by the worries of the world, we had parents who were
fearful or who always thought the worst of us. Some of us were
abandoned and our little hearts were broken as we wandered in
the weeds of the world hiding our feelings and smiling at grief.
Some of us had siblings who were our thorns, who mocked us,
who were considered better than us, who may have abused us.
Thorns who grew up with us and choked out our emotional
growth. Vs 8 But others fell on good ground, sprang up and
yielded a crop a hundred fold. These are those who hear the
word, believe it, letting it change their lives so they bear fruit with
patience. Maybe you were a fortunate seed that grew up in a
Christian home, in good soil with parents who were emotionally
mature and stable, who gave you healthy unselfish love, and
treated you as a precious gift from God. Roots anchor a tree in
the ground, holding it firmly in place. The growing tip of a root is
sensitive as well as strong. If it meets obstacles it can grow
around it or actually split a rock and grow through it. God can
help us go around or through our obstacles the many trials and
tribulations we face. The outer layer of the trunk is its bark. As a
tree grows thicker and taller its bark stretches and may split. As
we grow spiritually God sometimes has to stretch us, by giving us
a circumstance where we simply have to depend on God. Inside
the tree is sap, which is soil water with minerals or food dissolved
in it. This gives every part of the tree the energy it needs to grow.
The Holy Spirit and the word of God give us the spiritual food we
need to grow. Each kind of tree has its own requirements for
sun, rain and soil. We also grow at different rates and need
different requirements to be what God wants us to be. Isa 41:19
says I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia tree.
The cedar tree has a smooth resistant wood, prefers moist or
swampy soil and is grown for windbreaks and ornamental
use. This person is a mature Christian who is well grounded in
the word and resistant to every wind and doctrine. They have a
regular relationship with the Holy Spirit as their soil is moist.
They are windbreaks they protect and teach new Christians so
they can be grounded in the word.
The Arcadia tree is used to describe simple pastoral living.
Peaceful living. The church will be able to provide a living for
the pastor.
The myrtle tree is a tropical tree such as the eucalyptus tree. It is
a fragrant tree and it is used for medicine and perfumery. These
people will have the gift of healing and praise. The Bible tells us
that our praise and worship is like an incense or perfume to
God's nose.
The oil tree is the olive tree. It is a type of evergreen. It has long
life and can live through long dry periods because of it's wide
spreading roots. They are usually reproduced from cuttings and
can grow into a new tree if properly planted. These are people
who've been to many churches or have stayed out of church
because they've been cut or hurt. God is doing the planting and
grafting and these people will grow into new and stronger trees.
The cypress tree is an evergreen that prefers moist or wet soil. It
is a durable wood that is very resistant to rotting. Knees grow up
from the roots. These people are our prayer warriors and
intercessors.
The pine tree is an enduring, lasting tree. It grows in sandy and
easily eroded land. It provides cover under which more valuable
trees may get started. These persons will be with the church
through good with bad times. They are the stall worths of the
church. They teach and train up children and new believers so
they can get rooted properly. The box tree grows rapidly and
shelters plantings. These will be the people who are trained up
and will go with others to begin new church plants.
Vs 20 That they may see and know, the word know in Hebrew is
yada which means to advise, answer, have and take knowledge,
teach God will make our church a place where people can hear
the truth of God's word.
And consider and understand together, the word understand in
Hebrew is sakal which means to behold, to pay attention, to have
and give success, to make prudent, to teach God will make us
successful together.
That the hand of the Lord has done this, the word hand in
Hebrew is yad which means power strength and assistance. The
Lord's power, strength, and assistance will complete our church
and the work God has planned for it.
And the Holy One of Israel has created it. The word created in
Hebrew is Bara and it means to create, form or make an entirely
new production, to bring into existence, or refers to activity
that only God performs. God has brought into existence our
ministries for such a time as this.
The Bible describes man like a tree. In Jeremiah 17:7-8 it says
blessed is the man who trust in the Lord, and whose hope is in
the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which
spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat
comes; But its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the
year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit. Ps 92:12-14
Says the righteous shall flourish like a palm tree. He shall grow
like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of
the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still
bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh (full of sap) and
flourishing (green). In Matt 7:16-20 It says you will know them
by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs
from thistles? Even so every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad
tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit nor can a
bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit
is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits
you will know them.
What kind of tree will you be? Do you have some roots that need
to be dug up? What do you see in your life that needs to be
uprooted now? Jesus says in Matt 15:13 Every plant which
My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted. What weeds
are tripping you up? Heb. 12:1 Says throw off everything that
hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with
perseverance the race marked out for us. What dead branches
have you been saving from the fire? What weaknesses have you
held on to? John 15:6 If anyone does not remain in Jesus, he is
like a branch that is thrown away and withers. These branches
are picked up and thrown into the fire and burned. Is your life a
wasteland a desert that is thirsty and need or repair? God wants
to rebuild your life and repair the desolations of generations to
restore the years the locusts has eaten. Are you producing fruit
that endures? Will you be the planting of the Lord that He may
be glorified, trees of righteousness?
Pray with me now.
Dear Jesus,
I have not been the person I know you want me to be. I've tried
to bend the twigs my way without any thought of what you had
in mind. I've trained them up in the way I wanted them
to go and sometimes not trained them at all. Forgive me for
bruising fruit or not bearing fruit. Forgive me for what I've done
to others. I want to be a tree that bears good fruit. I give you
the branches of my weaknesses that I've been saving even
though they are withered and dried up. I place them on your
alter that you might kindle fire upon them and remove them.
Thank you God for loving me and saving me. Help me to be
willing to obey what is your good will for my life. Lord Jesus, I
call upon your sacrificial blood to cleanse me from my secret and
open faults. I call upon your Holy Spirit to empower me to
necessary change and I call upon you to bind Satan and any
dominion he may have on me and upon my children to the third
and fourth generations. I call upon you Jesus the name above all
names, knowing that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved. Jesus save me and my family forever. In your
precious name I pray Amen.
Our focus today is going to be on verses 17-20. This passage of
scripture is an assurance of God's help. It is also prophetic for
our churches God says we are His servants that He has called
and placed us that He has chosen us. We must look on this as an
honor. It is not easy planting a church. But God says "Fear not
for I am with you." It is easy to get discouraged when people
don't come to church, when your church finances always
operate in the red, when the laborers are few. But God says, "Be
not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will
help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." If that
isn't enough, God says He is doing a new thing. He is making
us into a new threshing sledge with sharp teeth an instrument
that in God's hands will pulverize the mountains of our current
difficulties. We are called to expect deliverance as we praise God
in all circumstances.
Read Isa. 17-20
When I first read this scripture God placed a strong desire in my
spirit to look up the characteristics of these trees. I went to the
library and attempted to check out a tree book, but there wasn't
one available. Yet God provided because the librarian had her
own personal copy of a tree book that she entrusted to me, a
perfect stranger. She didn't even ask me for my name or address.
While I couldn't find all the trees listed in that book, God
provided more information through encyclopedias. When I
went to attempt to put the sermon together I ran up against
another obstacle. None of my Bibles or commentaries had any
information on these particular verses. But God kept impressing
my spirit to dig deep and depend on Him that He had a message
of Hope for our church. I went to the Hebrew/Greek Bible and
found a tremendous word.
Vs 17 The poor and needy seek water; but there is none, their
tongues fail for thirst. I, the Lord, will hear them. I, the God of
Israel, will not forsake them. The poor and the needy seek water,
they are seeking something to fill that void that God has placed
in all of us, a void that only God can fill. They look for worldly
things to fill the thirst like drugs, alcohol, sex, money, fame and
prestige. In their search for happiness their tongues (spirits)
fail, they become depressed, suicidal, unhappy as a last resort
they cry out to God. God says He will hear them and will not
forsake them. The Lord does not abandon the poor and
oppressed.
Vs 18 I will open rivers in desolate heights, and fountains in the
midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
and the dry land springs of water. The Holy Spirit is often
represented by water God is going to pour out His spirit in New
England. Isa. 43:19-21 God is doing a new thing. The word land
in Hebrew is Erets and means land of the living. New England is
a dry land a wilderness but restoration and revival are coming. Vs
19 I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia tree, the
myrtle and the oil tree, I will set in the desert the cypress tree and
the pine. And the box tree together. The word set in Hebrew is
Suwm. It means to bring about a change, appoint people to
positions, to establish a new relationship, to assign something to
someone, and to set aside for special purposes. God has a
purpose and special mission for each of us. A tree comes from a
seed. It is born. It breathes and grows. A tree drinks water and
makes food. It produces seeds from which new trees grow. It
provides shade and protection, bears fruit that is refreshing and
useful to man. We are like trees, we are reborn when the seed of
God's word is planted in the soil of our hearts and watered by the
Holy Spirit. Go with me to Luke 8:5 A sower went out to sow his
seed and as he sowed, some feel by the wayside and it was
trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. Those by the
wayside are the ones who hear the word of God, they are our
visitors, people we witness to but because they don't come to
church to get rooted in the word the devil comes and takes away
the word out of their hearts so they can't believe. Some of us
grew up as seed scattered on the path. We had life in us, but
somehow it got trampled down; people walked over us and some
kicked us. Birds flew overhead and some pecked at us and made
fun of us. After a while on the dry road of life, we withdrew, build
a wall of protection around us and said I'm not going to let
anyone hurt me ever again. Vs 6 Some fell on rock and as soon
as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture.
These are those who when they hear the word they get all fired
up and believe for awhile but when temptation comes they can't
make a stand because they have no roots. Some of us grew up on
the rocks with no moisture to maintain us, no nurturing to let us
know we were of value. We didn't have the encouragement we
needed; we wondered who we really are. When we cried for
attention we were told to be quiet. We tried to be what others
wanted us to be, and we grew up confused with roots that never
quite took hold. We withered and dried up emotionally. Vs 7
And some fell among thorns and the thorns sprang up with
it and choked it. The ones who fell among the thorns heard the
word but get choked with the cares, riches and pleasures the
world offers and they bring no fruit to maturity. Some of us grew
up choked by the worries of the world, we had parents who were
fearful or who always thought the worst of us. Some of us were
abandoned and our little hearts were broken as we wandered in
the weeds of the world hiding our feelings and smiling at grief.
Some of us had siblings who were our thorns, who mocked us,
who were considered better than us, who may have abused us.
Thorns who grew up with us and choked out our emotional
growth. Vs 8 But others fell on good ground, sprang up and
yielded a crop a hundred fold. These are those who hear the
word, believe it, letting it change their lives so they bear fruit with
patience. Maybe you were a fortunate seed that grew up in a
Christian home, in good soil with parents who were emotionally
mature and stable, who gave you healthy unselfish love, and
treated you as a precious gift from God. Roots anchor a tree in
the ground, holding it firmly in place. The growing tip of a root is
sensitive as well as strong. If it meets obstacles it can grow
around it or actually split a rock and grow through it. God can
help us go around or through our obstacles the many trials and
tribulations we face. The outer layer of the trunk is its bark. As a
tree grows thicker and taller its bark stretches and may split. As
we grow spiritually God sometimes has to stretch us, by giving us
a circumstance where we simply have to depend on God. Inside
the tree is sap, which is soil water with minerals or food dissolved
in it. This gives every part of the tree the energy it needs to grow.
The Holy Spirit and the word of God give us the spiritual food we
need to grow. Each kind of tree has its own requirements for
sun, rain and soil. We also grow at different rates and need
different requirements to be what God wants us to be. Isa 41:19
says I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia tree.
The cedar tree has a smooth resistant wood, prefers moist or
swampy soil and is grown for windbreaks and ornamental
use. This person is a mature Christian who is well grounded in
the word and resistant to every wind and doctrine. They have a
regular relationship with the Holy Spirit as their soil is moist.
They are windbreaks they protect and teach new Christians so
they can be grounded in the word.
The Arcadia tree is used to describe simple pastoral living.
Peaceful living. The church will be able to provide a living for
the pastor.
The myrtle tree is a tropical tree such as the eucalyptus tree. It is
a fragrant tree and it is used for medicine and perfumery. These
people will have the gift of healing and praise. The Bible tells us
that our praise and worship is like an incense or perfume to
God's nose.
The oil tree is the olive tree. It is a type of evergreen. It has long
life and can live through long dry periods because of it's wide
spreading roots. They are usually reproduced from cuttings and
can grow into a new tree if properly planted. These are people
who've been to many churches or have stayed out of church
because they've been cut or hurt. God is doing the planting and
grafting and these people will grow into new and stronger trees.
The cypress tree is an evergreen that prefers moist or wet soil. It
is a durable wood that is very resistant to rotting. Knees grow up
from the roots. These people are our prayer warriors and
intercessors.
The pine tree is an enduring, lasting tree. It grows in sandy and
easily eroded land. It provides cover under which more valuable
trees may get started. These persons will be with the church
through good with bad times. They are the stall worths of the
church. They teach and train up children and new believers so
they can get rooted properly. The box tree grows rapidly and
shelters plantings. These will be the people who are trained up
and will go with others to begin new church plants.
Vs 20 That they may see and know, the word know in Hebrew is
yada which means to advise, answer, have and take knowledge,
teach God will make our church a place where people can hear
the truth of God's word.
And consider and understand together, the word understand in
Hebrew is sakal which means to behold, to pay attention, to have
and give success, to make prudent, to teach God will make us
successful together.
That the hand of the Lord has done this, the word hand in
Hebrew is yad which means power strength and assistance. The
Lord's power, strength, and assistance will complete our church
and the work God has planned for it.
And the Holy One of Israel has created it. The word created in
Hebrew is Bara and it means to create, form or make an entirely
new production, to bring into existence, or refers to activity
that only God performs. God has brought into existence our
ministries for such a time as this.
The Bible describes man like a tree. In Jeremiah 17:7-8 it says
blessed is the man who trust in the Lord, and whose hope is in
the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which
spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat
comes; But its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the
year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit. Ps 92:12-14
Says the righteous shall flourish like a palm tree. He shall grow
like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of
the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still
bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh (full of sap) and
flourishing (green). In Matt 7:16-20 It says you will know them
by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs
from thistles? Even so every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad
tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit nor can a
bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit
is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits
you will know them.
What kind of tree will you be? Do you have some roots that need
to be dug up? What do you see in your life that needs to be
uprooted now? Jesus says in Matt 15:13 Every plant which
My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted. What weeds
are tripping you up? Heb. 12:1 Says throw off everything that
hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with
perseverance the race marked out for us. What dead branches
have you been saving from the fire? What weaknesses have you
held on to? John 15:6 If anyone does not remain in Jesus, he is
like a branch that is thrown away and withers. These branches
are picked up and thrown into the fire and burned. Is your life a
wasteland a desert that is thirsty and need or repair? God wants
to rebuild your life and repair the desolations of generations to
restore the years the locusts has eaten. Are you producing fruit
that endures? Will you be the planting of the Lord that He may
be glorified, trees of righteousness?
Pray with me now.
Dear Jesus,
I have not been the person I know you want me to be. I've tried
to bend the twigs my way without any thought of what you had
in mind. I've trained them up in the way I wanted them
to go and sometimes not trained them at all. Forgive me for
bruising fruit or not bearing fruit. Forgive me for what I've done
to others. I want to be a tree that bears good fruit. I give you
the branches of my weaknesses that I've been saving even
though they are withered and dried up. I place them on your
alter that you might kindle fire upon them and remove them.
Thank you God for loving me and saving me. Help me to be
willing to obey what is your good will for my life. Lord Jesus, I
call upon your sacrificial blood to cleanse me from my secret and
open faults. I call upon your Holy Spirit to empower me to
necessary change and I call upon you to bind Satan and any
dominion he may have on me and upon my children to the third
and fourth generations. I call upon you Jesus the name above all
names, knowing that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved. Jesus save me and my family forever. In your
precious name I pray Amen.
