Personifying Palm Trees

Shall we continue our journey through the land of Israel? Will you brave some wilderness terrain and deep valleys with me through these next couple of posts? As always, God will be faithful to uncover riches when we dig for His treasures. Let’s take His hand and journey into the depths of the desert known throughout the Middle East.

We will walk through miles and miles of wilderness. Our throats will grow dry longing for water and if we don’t stop daily to collect our manna, we will die in this place. Signs of life are few and far between. And just when we think we cannot go a step further, God will lead us right up to seventy palm trees. How much more beautiful is such a sight in the middle of plains of desert sand rather than an island in Hawaii. This is precisely where the Lord led the Israelites.

“Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.” Exodus 15:27

Let’s also camp here. I believe God has much to teach us about these palm trees. Have you ever noticed how much He appears to love them? Take a look at how He decorated His temple…

“On the walls all around the temple, in both the inner and outer rooms, he carved cherubim, palm trees and open flowers.” 1 Kings 6:29

“And on the two olive wood doors he carved cherubim, palm trees and open flowers, and overlaid the cherubim and palm trees with beaten gold.” 1 Kings 6:32

“He engraved cherubim, lions and palm trees on the surfaces of the supports and on the panels, in every available space, with wreaths all around.” 1 Kings 7:36

“He paneled the main hall with pine and covered it with fine gold and decorated it with palm trees and chain designs.” 2 Chronicles 3:5

(If that isn’t enough, you can read Ezekiel 40 and 41 for even more ways palm trees were used as decoration.)

God says, “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree…” (Psalm 92:12). Can you believe God symbolically represents our righteousness with a palm tree? Our righteousness comes from Christ alone. Philippians 3:9 says, “…not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.” It is a righteousness that can withstand the fierce elements of the wilderness. When rooted in Him, we too can flourish through high winds and dry seasons.

Interesting enough, one of Israel’s largest exports is the date palm tree. Being a fruit bearing palm tree it reminds me of Philippians 1:11 which says, “…filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.” Producing a sweet fruit, they begin life in Israel before being exported out to the world.

Jesus began His life in Israel, but God loved the world and could not keep Him there. The sweet message of His gospel is being exported to every tribe and nation.

Whether you are wandering through the desert or in an oasis, the next time you see a palm tree remember the righteousness you have been given through Christ. Jesus spoke in John 15:16 saying, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last…” Like all good things, fruit is enjoyed most when shared with another. Let’s go from this place and share the sweetness we have found from our righteousness in Christ.