Dear Family,
Today is Tuesday, May 3, 2022, Day 3 of Week 3. This is the 17th Day in our Count to Pentecost.
The Bible makes many references to palm trees. The most common reference to palm trees in the Bible appears to be toward the date palm. And, it is likely that the 70 palm trees at Elim were date palms. From those trees, the Israelites would have found some shade from the heat of the desert sun and sweet, tasty food.
In addition to these benefits of these trees (shade and the prized fruit), palm dates were often fermented into wine by ancient cultures. The trees were also cultivated in the Middle East for building materials, and for making items such as baskets. They were very, very useful trees. And, the palm motif was common on walls, including walls of the temple built by Solomon.
1 Kings 6.29 And he carved all the walls of the house roundabout with carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, within and without.
One of the most beautiful things about palms is that they grow so tall, with new fronds reaching toward the sky as the old fronds drop off. Typically, they also have a long life span…over 100 years, according to some experts.
As we remember Israel camped under the palms planted near the 12 springs, we can be reminded of how God compares us to a flourishing palm tree, “planted in the house of the LORD,” and flourishing “in the courts of our God, “and bringing “forth fruit in old age.”
Psalm 92:12-14 (12) The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. (13) Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. (14) They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
There is probably much more symbolism to be gleaned from this comparison of God’s people with the palms. The key to remember about the flourishing palm is where it is planted, in God’s house, where it can drink from unfailing, living springs.
Ben Faulkner, Pastor
© Copyright 2022, Church of the Sovereign God