On the Way to Wonder

Ecclesiastes 12:1-5

12 Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come, and the years draw near when you will say,

‘I have no pleasure in them’; 

² before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return with the rain;

 ³ on the day when the guards of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the women who grind cease working because they are few, and those who look through the windows see dimly;

 ⁴ when the doors on the street are shut, and the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low; 

⁵ when one is afraid of heights, and terrors are in the road; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along and desire fails; because all must go to their eternal home,

Solomon paints a tender picture of old age using multiple images.  He admonishes us to enjoy the Lord while we can for our eyes dim, our hands shake, we loose teeth, hearing fails us, we fear falling, our hair turns white, sexual desire declines and we go to our eternal home.  “The almond tree blossoms” I would understand to be our hair turning white.  But why might Solomon have chosen the almond tree?  Of course I looked to the Internet.

         The Hebrew word for almond also means watchful.  In Numbers 17:8 Aaron’s staff spouts, blossoms, and bears fruit affirming Moses’ leadership when the people grumbled.  The almond tree is the basis for the creation of the Menorah, seven pronged candle stick.  As an elder now, I like the Ecclesiaste’s use of the almond tree blossoming to speak of aging and probably the coming of white hair.

      The context of the passage is an admonition to enjoy God while we can and enjoy the experiences of God that our senses allow us while we can.  I think of the men in one of the parables, when invited to a banquet, begged to be excused – “I have married me a wife, I have bought me a cow, I have fields and commitments that cost me a petty sum.  Please hold me excused I cannot come to the banquet now.”  I suspect Solomon would not agree.  May we enjoy expressions of our faith as we are able before age diminishes our ability.

         So how do you enjoy your faith?  Let us think of how our sense of God is heightened by our five senses.  Take a moment to list something that comes to mind that encourages your faith because of vision……, hearing….., smell……, taste……, and touch……..    Thank you Lord for our ability to appreciate your creation and help us be alert to your presence.  May we accept the limitations of age and know you are there with us as we walk towards you.

Ecclesiastes 11:3

3.  When clouds are full,
    they empty rain on the earth;
whether a tree falls to the south or to the north,
    in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie. (NRSV)

3. When the clouds are full of water, it rains.
When the wind blows down a tree, it lies where it falls.
Don’t sit there watching the wind. Do your own work.
Don’t stare at the clouds. Get on with your life.  (The Message)

3.  When the clouds are heavy, the rains come down; when a tree falls, whether south or north, the die is cast, for there it lies. (The Living Bible)

Ecclesiastes follows Proverbs, was written by Solomon probably, and is part of the wisdom literature.  My mother taught me using riddles.  I can remember her pointing her finger at me and saying, “A stitch in time saves nine,” and I knew I was to obey now and not put off something.  Tackle a small task so it does not become big.  “An early bird catches the worm,” was her admonition to be industrious.  So this wise saying from Ecclesiastes about trees I find intriguing.  What was Solomon trying to tell us?  Sometimes when a passage is unclear, I look it up in a more modern translation to see if I can grasp the content better.  So I looked up Ecclesiastes 11:3 in the Message and in the Living Bible to see if I could get a clearer picture.  This is how it might be speaking into our world today.

         Sometimes we see warning signs, take heed and act before the small tear becomes a big rip and a dress is ruined.  We see the clouds and we take an umbrella to work because the odds are it will rain.  Recently the weather-man said that hurricane Ian was coming.  We did not know the exact path but we moved furniture inside, parked cars in safe places, made plans for the single women to stay together so no one would be left alone.  We filled water containers and bathtubs and had cash for dealing with electrical outs.  Seeing the warning signs, we took precautionary action.  When we see a tree start to fall, we best move out of the way for once it starts to fall, it will not change its mind.

         This is also true spiritually.  We have times when we see the signs that tell us we are headed into a storm and we need to double check our spiritual disciplines.  If we are loosing our temper too quickly, crying too quickly, despairing too quickly, we need to spend time in prayer, praise, reading, singing or whatever discipline that fortifies us spiritually.  When a tree of disaster like a medical situation occurs, for sure we follow medical advice, but we also call friends and get prayer chains informed. Even as we set our actions by what is going on with a tree, we can proactively care for our spiritual lives.  Lord, help me be alert to warning signs!

Proverbs 27:18

¹⁸ Anyone who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,
    and anyone who takes care of a master will be honoured.

The next reference to trees in Proverbs likens caring for a fig tree with caring for a “master”.  Loyal care results in fruit from the tree and that is likened to honor that comes from a master.  It is interesting that the word “master” is used and not a relationship that draws positive emotions.  Perhaps that is why Solomon likens care for a master to care for a tree.  Trees don’t emote and express thanks for the gardener’s work of watering, weeding, and pruning.  We don’t think of trees as being appreciative.  The word “master” also connotes contractual relationship as opposed to a warm fuzzy relationship like spouse or friend.  Master-servant relationship implies work, hierarchy and perhaps lack of appreciation.

         So when we look at relationships that are not governed by a code of love and appreciation but are more work or business oriented, we might well reflect on how we care for those relationships.  These are the people outside our friendship group.  It might include people who have the power to harm us like a boss or who have offended us like an enemy.  Dare we mention people of the opposite political party or a different denomination or ethnicity?  It could be the neighbor who parties too loud and too long on the weekend.  This proverb calls us to care for these relationships with the same concern we would give to our fig tree that produces fruit to feed our family.  The wise person is a loyal relationship with all encountered even as he loyally tends the fig tree that feeds him.  Lord, help me to be loyal in all my ways and treat others the way you treat me.

Proverbs 15:1-4
15 A soft answer turns away wrath,
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.
² The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge,
    but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
³ The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
    keeping watch on the evil and the good.
⁴ A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
    but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

         Solomon likens a tree to a gentle answer in a disagreement.  Mouth-in-motion is certainly a disease that our culture struggles to balance with freedom of speech.  How we express our truth to another can be a deal-maker or a deal-breaker.  So how does that relate to trees and why does Solomon give us that image to think about?  Interesting.

      Trees do not force themselves on us but grow tall, presenting their truth.  When watered, green leaves spread out.  When neglected and forgotten, some trees and plants wilt and die.  Some trees can withstand fire and drought but not most.  Perhaps we need to take a lesson from the tree and ponder if our speech is demanding, critical, harsh and belittling or are we building the other with our response and treating the person respectfully?

         I love this quote from the internet, “According to the Arbor Day Foundation , in one year a mature tree will absorb more than 48 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen in exchange. So next time you take a deep breath of air give credit to a tree or hug a tree in thanks for what it gives us – the very air we breathe.”  A gentle answer sucks the carbon dioxide out of an argument and tries to give oxygen.

         Let us pray today that our words will be like life-giving trees and not be tools to break someone’s spirit.  Lord curb my tendency to mouth-in-motion and encourage heart-in-motion!

Isaiah 55:12

For you shall go out in joy,
    and be led back in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
    shall burst into song,
    and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

My friends and I chatted at dinner about yesterdays posting of happy trees.  Those who seek wisdom and find her will be like happy trees.  We pondered the image and then we all broke into the chorus, “We will go out with joy” and we all laughed.  We go out with joy and the trees will clap their hands.

         The song comes from Isaiah 55 where God laments that we chase after that which does not satisfy.  God will covenant with people who seek him even as he did with King David.  If we seek God, we will find him.  As rain comes and waters trees and accomplishes its purpose so God is faithful to those who seek him.  He promises that we who seek God’s wisdom will be like trees clapping.  

         The attached YouTube has Jewish dancer putting this Old Testament verse to music and dance.  Please enjoy and clap your hands!

Proverbs 3: 1-2, 5-6, 11-12, 18

1.  My child, do not forget my teaching,
    but let your heart keep my commandments;
² for length of days and years of life
    and abundant welfare they will give you.

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not rely on your own insight.
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.

¹¹ My child, do not despise the Lord’s discipline
    or be weary of his reproof,
¹² for the Lord reproves the one he loves,
    as a father the son in whom he delights.

¹³ Happy are those who find wisdom,….
¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
    those who hold her fast are called happy.

²¹ My child, do not let these escape from your sight:
    keep sound wisdom and prudence,
²² and they will be life for your soul
    and adornment for your neck.

David wrote much of the poetry of Psalms but his son Solomon, considered by many as the wisest man who ever lived, recorded his wisdom in the book of Proverbs.  Chapter three has some of the sayings we are encouraged to memorize and engrave on our memories.  Solomon admonishes his son to seek wisdom above all else for it brings true security (v.21-35), it brings wealth (v.13-18), and is like a tree we brings happiness.

         We don’t often equate happiness with trees.  I would be more prone to think of sunny days, birds singing, falling in love, winning the lottery for some, or birth of a child.  I have to think how might trees symbolize happiness.

         I would sit in my back yard with my afternoon cup of coffee and because we were near the Mississippi River, trees lined the horizon in so many shades of green.  I always marveled and remembered that God has a variety of ways to resolve the issues of the day.  When a tornado swept through our city and upturned 1000 trees in 6 minutes, the whole world I looked out on changed and I realized how much their presence spoke of shade, of protection, of life and beauty – all qualities wisdom adds to our lives.  Sidewalks were cracked with tree roots sticking up for quite a while.  Trees remind me to make sure my faith has roots and draws from the living water we find in wisdom.        Truly trees can speak to us of the wisdom of God that is worth striving after.  Lord, may your word dwell richly in our hearts reminding us to reach up to you, depend on you for strength and protection, and remind us to put down roots deeply in your word.  You give us life and keep us strong in storms.  May we be happy inn you.  Thank you.

Psalm 92: 12,13

The righteous flourish like the palm tree,
    and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
¹³ They are planted in the house of the Lord;
    they flourish in the courts of our God.

         When we read about Solomon building the great temple in Jerusalem and the many gifted artists decorating it, we often read about the palm tree being engraved on items and walls.  When we think about islands in the ocean we often picture palm trees lining the beaches.  When we think of Hollywood and Los Angeles, we might picture the palm trees that were supposedly imported with the Spanish and line the ocean front.  When we think of hurricanes blowing trees in their wake, we can picture the news broadcaster, yellow poncho flapping in the wind and with palm trees swaying in the background.  What do you think of when you picture palm trees?

         When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the week of his passion, people lay palm fronds on the ground before him and waved their affirmation.  They anticipated their eternal king would bring relief from Roman oppression.  The week ended at Calvary, the cross, and a victory over eternal death that they did not anticipate.

         David compared the palm tree to the righteous.  The tree grows strong and tall towards the sun, the source of energy.  King Solomon pictured a loving encounter to climbing a palm tree to enjoy its fruit.  I don’t know what memories you carry in relation to palm trees.  Our family vacationed on the Kenyan coast lined with palm trees with vendors selling coconuts.  Psalm 92 uses the word “flourish” to describe the life of a righteous person in the house of the Lord. 

         Let us rest in the word “flourish” this morning.  What words come to mind  as you think of your relationship in the house of the Lord?  Perhaps you need water or sunlight or manure or even love.  In the presence of the Lord is the best place to flourish.  Blessings.

Psalm 52:7-9

‘See the one who would not take
    refuge in God,
but trusted in abundant riches,
    and sought refuge in wealth!’

⁸ But I am like a green olive tree
    in the house of God.
I trust in the steadfast love of God
    for ever and ever.
⁹ I will thank you for ever,
    because of what you have done.
In the presence of the faithful
    I will proclaim your name, for it is good.

Again we run into our friend the olive tree.  The dove returns to Noah’s ark with an olive branch that says to Noah it is safe to unload the animals from the ark because the waters of the flood have receded.  The olive branch is associated with the Olympics and Greeks.  But what about today?  I turned to the Internet and found an article about “9 Amazing Facts about the Olive Tree.”

         Olive trees are dated to have lived as much as 2000 years: longevity.

         Olive trees start bearing at 5 years and are known to still be bearing at 1,600 years old: prolific.

         Olive trees can survive fire and cold because of their root system: they seem to be indestructible.

         Olive trees survive droughts and do not need to be watered.

         Olive trees give huge yields and perhaps 865 million trees are in the world today.

         Olive trees are thought to have been around for 6,000 years: ancient.      

         Olive oil and branches are used in sacred ceremonies like the Olympics and symbolize abundance, glory and peace: sacred.

         Olives are healthy fruit with antioxidants, fiber and good fat: healthy.

A green olive tree in the house of the Lord is the person who finds refuge in God rather than riches.  Which aspect of the olive tree would you like to see God develop in your life?  Let us join David in thanking and praising God for how he has worked in our lives.

Psalm 1:1-4

¹ Happy are those
    who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread,
    or sit in the seat of scoffers;
² but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law they meditate day and night.
³ They are like trees
    planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
    and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.

The book of Psalms, of poetry, opens with a psalm that describes the difference between the blessed or happy and the wicked.  People blessed are like trees planted by waters.  They are signs of life.   They yield leaves and fruit in season and thrive.  They are patient and wait for the right time.  Leaves might mean that they process the sap flowing through them productively for growth.  Leaves reach out to the sun to absorb energy to convert usefully and catch rain as it falls.  Wise people avoid the advice of the wicked nor keep company with scoffers.  Could it mean that wise people avoid the quick, easy way that promises success with little effort – advice of the wicked?  I think of scoffers as people who doubt and make fun of another.  A scoffer is judgmental of others and not accurate in their evaluation of themselves. 

     Interestingly, trees do not choose who sits under them but they do drink water and life.  Trees are useful for not only shade but also for fruit available to all people and their wood can be used by all to build.  Trees don’t have favorites.  If we think of the trees in Lord of the Rings, they are slow to grow and change – constancy and integrity.  Trees have many qualities that speak of life as we use our imagination.

         Does any of this touch your imagination today?  If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you like to be – a tall cedar pointing to the sky, a fruit tree feeding others, or perhaps a flower bush that makes life beautiful for others?   Pray over the qualities the tree of your life you would like to share.  Blessings.