On the Way to Wonder

         This week we looked at the trees in the story of Noah: gopher wood for the Ark itself, an olive leaf for peace, and the vine Noah made wine from this brought a family crisis.  This week Queen Elizabeth II passed and certainly we heard that she was like a giant Cedar of Lebanon leading her realm for 70 years through war and peace.  I chose this rendition of the hymn, “It is Well With My Soul” sung by Joni Erikson Tada.  Joni dove into water as a teenager and broke her neck, becoming a quadriplegic.  She has written beautiful books about feeling overwhelmed by a flood of trouble but learning to overcome by the power of faith, the cross.  She really helped me.  Let’s just listen and enjoy the words.  Blessings.

         My husband is British born of British parents but was adopted to a couple who raised him in Kenya, East Africa.  He has always had a fascination with England.  My grandparents came from England and so British stories intrigue us.  Yesterday I got in the car and happened to turn on the news and heard that the Queen had passed at age 96, the longest reigning monarch in England.  I was on the way to the nursing home to visit my husband.  We sat in his room with my Ipad perched on his walker and listened to BBC all afternoon and watched the pictures pouring across the airwaves to us.  I was deeply impressed at the description of Queen Elizabeth II.  Words like consistency, popular, “the rock upon which England was built” were quoted more than once.

         Our theme for devotions right now is trees.  The words describing the life of the queen and what she meant to her country reminded me of giant trees, perhaps the giant Redwoods of northern California, that I often visited in my youth.  I have often joked, if that tree could talk as in The Two Towers, what tales it could tell of the lives that unfolded near it!    The giant Redwoods are the tallest trees but the giant Sequoias are the largest trees.  They are both cone producing.  That made me think of the Cedars of Lebanon often mentioned in the Bible when speaking of trees to build palaces and the Temple.  I was surprised to read that the Cedars of Lebanon were considered “the King of Trees.” The Psalmist in Psalm 104 praises God’s work in creation.  Psalm 104:14-17 shares,

You cause the grass to grow for the cattle,
    and plants for people to use,
to bring forth food from the earth,
¹⁵     and wine to gladden the human heart,
oil to make the face shine,
    and bread to strengthen the human heart.
¹⁶ The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly,
    the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
¹⁷ In them the birds build their nests;
    the stork has its home in the fir trees.

The monarchy has provided a consistency, blessed many and been a symbol of England.  It will be interesting to hear the eulogies.  But for us, I ponder what tree we might consider ourselves.  Who has been a tall, strong Cedar in your life providing stability in the face of chaos?  Who has been there through the years encouraging your life to grow?  Thank God for the people who have been like a grove of Redwoods, Sequoias or Cedars supporting your life and consider what kind of tree or bush you would like people to call you.  Blessings as you remember and praise.

Genesis 18

⁴ Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet,

and rest yourselves under the tree.

Generations are passing after Noah and his sons disembark from the Ark.   We read the story of the Tower of Babel and the beginning of multiple languages.  The genealogies trace Noah’s son Shem’s lineage to Abram who carriers the story forward. God talks with Abram and leads him from his father’s house with Sarai his wife and Lot his nephew.  The story grows around God’s covenant to bless Abram and all nations through him but there is a problem.  Abram has no children.  Sarai is barren.  Both are aging and past the age of child bearing.  For couples who struggle with barrenness, the pain is real.  In Kenya, where we served, it was a death sentence.  A second wife would be found.

         “The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to the tent in the heat of the day.”  Abram’s name has been changed to Abraham as God confirms it is Abram God intends to bless and make the father of nations.  Sarai is renamed Sarah as the chosen wife.  God is going to work the impossible.  The great trees of Mamre are where Abraham will eventually bury Sarah years later, the place of promise that is also near Bethlehem.  That is another story though.

         Three men come to visit Abraham at his tent and Abraham realizes they are special and prepares food.  They tell of their journey in response to Lot’s distress with the evil of Gomorrah.  Judgment will happen.  Noah’s story is still close history and Abraham realizes Lot’s life is in danger.  He starts bargaining with these men, these representatives of God. “If only you find 50 righteous men,..” down to ten righteous men.

         Elders sitting under a tree conducting business is a common picture in Kenya.  Perhaps they do not realize God is present.  I ponder how many times we bargain with God, perhaps not under a tree, but we bargain.  We carve our initials in a heart on trees to express our hopes.  We hang people from trees to express our despair with them.  Trees can be places of business within our souls.

         Perhaps impressive is that God enters the bargaining with Abraham and is willing to take Abraham’s thinking into his plans.  God listens to us when we come to him.  Maybe we do not sit under a tree but often we have that special spot where we meditate and talk to God about our futures and fears of what we think is approaching.  As you meditate today, remember that God is listening and God is active in the events of your life today – working for good to fulfill his promises to you.  You are not alone.

Genesis 9:18-28

There is a third tree mentioned in the Noah story.  The Ark was built out of gopher wood that we associate with cypress today.  The dove brought back and olive leaf from the olive tree to tell Noah it would soon be safe to leave the Ark as God led.  Thirdly, though, comes the story involving a vine.  We have some ugly history around this story and really have no clear, definite explanation, but the story is there and so I ponder it.

         God told Noah is was time for him, his family and all the animals and birds to leave the Ark and multiply and fill the earth.  God put a rainbow in the sky as a symbol of his covenant to never destroy the earth by water.  Noah was put over plants and animals and told not to eat meat with blood in it.  Noah exited the Ark and immediately planted a vineyard.  A vine is not exactly a tree, but it is not a flower either.  It produces fruit and Noah made wine and got drunk.  One of the sons discovered Noah and something happened that is not clear but because of it Noah cursed his son and people through history have assumed that some sorts of people are better than others.

         Genesis means “beginnings” and perhaps this is the beginning of racism, not because of language as the story of Babel deals with, and not because of geography but somehow we develop theories to convince ourselves that some people are better than others.  Ugly, horrible actions then are justified as in genocide.  All cultures do it and we are wrong when we participate in prejudice in its subtle forms. 

         The story is very murky.  Noah is drunk.  The one son does something wrong.  Two sons try to rectify the wrong.  And Noah is angry enough to curse his son.  Sin is like that.  A blessing of a vine that gives fruit becomes the source of family conflict and division and the story is twisted, convoluted and impacts generations that follow.

         Perhaps your family does not have the skeletons and rifts of the Hatfields and McCoys or of Romeo and Juliet but our world is marked by divisions rooted in sin.  Let us spend time this morning confessing and praying for our world and for the many areas of conflict politically, socially and morally.  Lord, have mercy!

Genesis 8:6-12

“he sent out the dove from the ark;

¹¹ and the dove came back to him in the evening,

and there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf;

so Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth.”

The dove and the olive leaf are symbols of peace and cooperation.  According to the Internet, “The olive tree, or more specifically an olive branch, is a symbol of peace and friendship dating back to ancient Greek mythology.”  I suspect Noah predates the Greek Olympics image.

         The dove returning to the Ark symbolized to Noah that the anger of God had subsided and it was safe to leave the Ark.  The rainbow symbolized to God his commitment to never send another flood.  God was affirming that the relationship with people was going to continue.  So how do we make peace?  For some it is “kiss and make up or out,” and for others it is flowers and chocolates.  Sometimes we bow our head and whisper “sorry” or write a note of apology.  Pretending an offense did not happen is probably the least healthy reconciliation tactic.  I find what gets buried often pops up in other areas, at inconvenient times and in inappropriate ways.

         Let’s take a moment today to ask God to shine the light of his truth on our hearts and reveal any simmering issues we needs to lay to rest.  Perhaps we need to offer an olive leaf to someone and find peace.  Blessings as you are honest with yourself!

Genesis 6-8

“So make yourself an ark of cypress wood (gopher wood);

make rooms in it and coat it with

 pitch inside and out.”

The next tree mentioned in the Bible is the gopher wood, thought to be today called Cedar or Cypress. Noah was told to use it to build the Ark.  Gopher wood is mentioned nowhere else in the Bible.  I have always read the Noah story as a historical event ie all cultures have a flood story, or sung about it with youth on bus rides, or taught it in Sunday School and certainly laughed when Bill Cosby does his solo and asks God, “What’s an Ark?”  The tree in the story, the gopher tree, is not really the focus because usually the point is God’s distress at sin and his ability to save people seeking him. 

         Today, though, I am pondering the story in the light of feeling overwhelmed by the flood of emotions sweeping through my life as I go through the transition of putting my husband in Memory Care.  My life is tossed around as shopping changes, cooking changes, routines that defined my life have changed, and I grieve.  I wonder how Noah felt and his children.  Did the work of caring for the animals keep them so busy they didn’t focus on the loss?  God chose a tree, the gopher tree or perhaps cypress, to save Noah and his family.  God chose the cross to save us.  Some days I cling on to my faith in the midst of the flood of events and emotions.

         I remind myself that God spoke into the chaos of the evil of that day and he is speaking into the chaos, the evil, the murder, the selfishness of our day.  God is working and like that gopher tree that was used to build the Ark and is often overlooked in the story, I may feel unimportant but you and I are part of a story that may feel like a flood today.  God is leading, directing, speaking, and desiring a life we do not see yet that will be good.  Thank you, Lord, for hope in discouraging days.  Blessings on your journey!

This week we started a theme of “trees” and pondered Genesis 1-3.  Trees were God’s idea.  Trees were declared good.  Trees enhance our lives in so many ways.  Trees give life but some trees are toxic to humans and need to be on our “allergic” list.  God created the Garden of Eden and put humans there to care for it.  In the center were the tree of life that will be in the eternal kingdom, healing nations, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  The later we were not to touch as God would care for us.  Sigh…we know the world is not perfect but God has not abandon us.  Daily the sun rises and trees still bless us with life.

         I chose this song even though I have focused on it before as it speaks to creation.  In 1901 Rev. Babcock who lived in Lockport, New York, would walk along the Niagara Escarpment enjoying nature and telling his wife, “I’m going out to see the Father’s world.”  He wrote a poem that was later set to music.  May you be encouraged in your journey as you gaze at nature around you and see God’s creative power in the midst of the woes of our world.

This is my Father’s world,
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world,
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world,
He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world.
O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world:
why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!

Genesis 3:1

            3 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God say, “You shall not eat from any tree in the garden”?’

Oh my.  Here is the story that throws a shadow over many things as it attempts to explain the plight of humanity.  The tree is good.  Humans are good.  God’s creation is good!  But something went wrong.  The woman eats the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and gives it to her husband.  

         Let me share with you the Rendilli version of how woman was enticed to eat the forbidden fruit.  The Rendilli shared with us:  Once upon a time long ago, God lived very close to people.  People could talk with God and everyone was happy.  But one day a woman decided it would be easier if she would move her house on the back of a camel rather than on the back of goats.  People tried to convince her not to but she was stubborn.  She loaded her house on the back of a camel and when the camel stood up, the long poles poked God and God moved far away into the heavens. 

         There is no tree in their story unless you count the poles used to hold the woman’s goods on the back of the camel and which then became the support for the relocated house.  And there is no snake but there is a camel.  And in both stories, continents apart, a selfish woman is credited for the deed and God is no longer close but far off.

         In the Biblical account, it all started with a seemingly innocent question that raised doubts.  Did God really say?  Did he say not to eat; did he mean you would die; and surely there is an easier way.  We doubt God’s word, God’s way, and God’s love.  We look for a way that looks wise in our eyes or our friend’s eyes.  Perhaps today you are struggling with some aspect of God’s word and doubt is your enemy.  The tree of the knowledge of good and evil was never meant to be our responsibility because we have a God who cares for us and sees the big picture.  Let us spend our prayer time placing our doubts about what to do in his hands.  He cares!  Blessings.

Genesis 2:16,17

¹⁶ And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; ¹⁷ but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.’

God made trees.  “It is good,” the Lord said.  Trees bring life, health, homes, borders and beauty.  God made man to care for the trees and the animals.  But we all know that certain plants and trees are toxic to humans.  Don’t eat poinsettia leaves!  It would seem that some trees have spiritual value also.  One tree is called the tree of life but another was called the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  Eating from that tree brought death.  It is not for us but for God to determine good and evil.

         I have often pondered why God would create something that he would refuse his creatures to eat.  Have you ever made something you did not want your children to eat or touch?  Perhaps there was a cake for an upcoming birthday and you did not want it eaten.  Perhaps the time was not right because the cake is eaten after opening the presents.  Then again you may have known that one of your children was gluten intolerant and so eating the cake would make them sick. It might have been that the cake had poison in it to catch the cockroaches. Do you remember your mother telling you not to drink vanilla?  Even though it smelled sweet, its taste was bitter. We hear warnings that some foods when eaten are addictive and can lead to bad habits and dependencies.  All this is to say that there are many reasons that we can be warned not to do something that appears good.  It may not be that God created the tree to test humans to see if they would obey.

         I find it comforting that from the beginning God spoke into our reality, telling us not to do something because it will not bring life but death.  Later God spoke on Mt. Sinai and gave us rules again.  Don’t kill.  It only leads to death.  Don’t steal.  Don’t disrespect.  God tried to protect us and we have resisted being limited.  We read to not let the sun go down on our anger and yet we know wars, killings, and murders create agony for many.  Oh Lord, have mercy!

         Perhaps you need to sit quietly and ask the Holy Spirit to shine his flashlight on your heart to see if there is some seed of rebellion growing in your heart.  There may be some forbidden fruit that you are craving.  Now is the time to confess and resist.  God is not playing games with you.  I suspect he is protecting you from death.!  He cares.  He sees the big picture and can fairly decide what is good and what is evil.  Thank goodness  

“Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil”

Genesis 2:16,17

¹⁶ And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; ¹⁷ but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.’

God made trees.  “It is good,” the Lord said.  Trees bring life, health, homes, borders and beauty.  God made man to care for the trees and the animals.  But we all know that certain plants and trees are toxic to humans.  Don’t eat poinsettia leaves!  It would seem that some trees have spiritual value also.  One tree is called the tree of life but another was called the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  Eating from that tree brought death.  It is not for us but for God to determine good and evil.

         I have often pondered why God would create something that he would refuse his creatures to eat.  Have you ever made something you did not want your children to eat or touch?  Perhaps there was a cake for an upcoming birthday and you did not want it eaten.  Perhaps the time was not right because the cake is eaten after opening the presents.  Then again you may have known that one of your children was gluten intolerant and so eating the cake would make them sick. It might have been that the cake had poison in it to catch the cockroaches. Do you remember your mother telling you not to drink vanilla?  Even though it smelled sweet, its taste was bitter. We hear warnings that some foods when eaten are addictive and can lead to bad habits and dependencies.  All this is to say that there are many reasons that we can be warned not to do something that appears good.  It may not be that God created the tree to test humans to see if they would obey.

         I find it comforting that from the beginning God spoke into our reality, telling us not to do something because it will not bring life but death.  Later God spoke on Mt. Sinai and gave us rules again.  Don’t kill.  It only leads to death.  Don’t steal.  Don’t disrespect.  God tried to protect us and we have resisted being limited.  We read to not let the sun go down on our anger and yet we know wars, killings, and murders create agony for many.  Oh Lord, have mercy!

         Perhaps you need to sit quietly and ask the Holy Spirit to shine his flashlight on your heart to see if there is some seed of rebellion growing in your heart.  There may be some forbidden fruit that you are craving.  Now is the time to confess and resist.  God is not playing games with you.  I suspect he is protecting you from death.!  He cares.  He sees the big picture and can fairly decide what is good and what is evil.  Thank goodness