"The Broom Tree"

 

“The Broom Tree”

 

Shortly after completing the previous article (“Trees”) Karen’s and my daily Scripture reading led to a discussion of Psalm 120, which is described as “A song of ascents”. Many scholars believe these were praises sung by the Jewish people as they traveled to Jerusalem for Passover and other significant events. As we worked through this passage we came to Verse 4 which says, “He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom tree.” (Emphasis added). This intrigued Karen so she researched it and discovered some interesting facts.

The broom tree (called juniper in the KJV) is cited in two additional passages: 1 Kings 19:3-4 and Job 30:4. It’s like a large shrub which in biblical times provided shade for flocks and shepherds (it served this purpose for Elijah when he ran from Jezebel in 1 Kings 19). Its roots and wood were used for fires because even when the flames were extinguished the embers burned longer and hotter than other fuels (Job 30:4). The result was a high quality charcoal which was an important trade commodity in desert regions. It was also a picture of God’s judgment (Psalm 120:4; “On the wicked {God} will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur….”—Psalm 11:6). And His vengeance isn’t something to be taken lightly (“It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”—Hebrews 10:31).

But there’s a positive way of looking at the broom tree’s long-lasting fire and heat. When God gave Moses instructions for the burnt offerings He commanded, “The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must never go out.” (Leviticus 6:13). Matthew Henry commented, “Though we be not always sacrificing, yet we must keep the fire of holy love always burning….” This points towards Paul’s admonition to “…offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:1). A few years earlier the Apostle wrote, “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire….” (1 Thessalonians 5:19). In other words, God wants me to be a broom tree, not a pine or fir which quickly burn out. What kind of tree am I?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

(With helpful input and research from Karen)

"Trees"

 

“Trees”

 

As I was on “pod patrol” in my front yard recently (see the posting by that title) I began thinking about trees. There are many in the wooded area beyond our backyard fence as well as around our community. So I put my curiosity to work (thanks, Google!) and found out some interesting facts

*According to a 2017 study there are 60,065 species of trees on our planet.

*In 2020 it was estimated that there are more than three trillion trees throughout the world which works out to about 385 for each of the earth’s 7,790,000,000 inhabitants.

*Most are indigenous to particular areas but some can be found in many places.

*The smallest (at 1.6 cm.) is the dwarf willow of arctic regions.

*The largest are redwoods, especially the General Sherman (275 feet tall), in Sequoia National Park (see the early series “Reading the Redwoods”).

All this points to the wonders and variety of God’s creation (“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth….”—Acts 17:24).

A Bible dictionary I consulted mentions about 35 different trees in Scripture. Some are familiar to us (e.g. olive, hemlock and oak) while others are obscure and can’t be precisely identified. But each one has its own beauty and function (“God has made everything beautiful for its own time”—Ecclesiastes 3:11, NLT).

A seminary colleague preached a message called “Three Trees”, each of which holds great meaning. In Genesis 2:17 Adam was told, “You may not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil….” (Emphasis added), so we might call it the “tree of decision”. Our Lord’s friend and apostle wrote, “(Jesus) himself bore our sins in his body on the tree….” (1 Peter 2:24, emphasis added), showing it to be the “tree of redemption”. Then John describes the “…tree of life….” (Revelation 22:2, emphasis added), which we could designate the “tree of hope” in our eternal heavenly home. So the choice made in the Garden of Eden led to the provision at Calvary which brings the assurance of our fellowship with God forever.

So the next time you’re on “pod patrol”, raking leaves or trimming limbs think of the significance of the “three trees” and give God thanks.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Impartiality"

 

“Impartiality”

 

In 2009 I purchased a 2001 Nissan Altima in a unique God-arranged way (see the early article, “Don’t Go to Church….” to see how this came about. At 20 years young and 175,000 miles it’s still going strong, albeit with several idiosyncrasies. In recent years I haven’t driven it very much (maybe 3000 miles annually) but it comes in handy on those occasions when Karen and I need to be in different places at the same time (which happened the day before I completed this).

The years have taken their toll on my faithful friend so its appearance has gone downhill. But it still gets me where I need to be. One day this past spring I pulled into a parking space next to a late model luxury SUV (I checked on line and learned a new one lists for $75,000-100,000!). By comparison “Nisi” looked pretty bad. But then I noticed both license plates. Each had on the bottom, “In God We Trust”. This reminded me that no matter what one’s station in life might be God is the One to whom we can look for help and direction. This is true equality.

Human nature historically has given preference to the “rich and famous” and this hasn’t changed (“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.”—Ecclesiastes 1:9). But God sees things and acts differently. Paul reminds us that “…God does not show favoritism.” (Romans 2:11). And fifteen centuries earlier Elihu pointed this fact out to Job and his three “friends” by saying, “(God) doesn’t care how great a person may be, and he doesn’t pay any more attention to the rich than to the poor. He made them all.” (Job 34:19, NLT). And all—rich and poor, men and women, Jews and Gentiles, famous and obscure—are subject to death (“No one can live forever; all will die. No one can escape the power of the grave.” (Psalm 89:48, NLT). Why? Because “…all have sinned….” (Romans 3:23) and “,,,the wages of sin is death….” (Romans 6:23).

So are we hopeless? No way! “…God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, emphasis added). Around 800 BC God’s prophet promised, “…Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved….” (Joel 2:32, emphasis added), a truth repeated by Peter (Acts 2:21) and Paul (Romans 10:13). Have you responded to God’s invitation to “Turn to me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth…” (Isaiah 45:22)?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Life Changes"

 

“Life Changes”

 

During my pastoring years I received a call from a 30-something dad in our church asking to meet with me asap. Later that day we sat in my car in a parking lot and he told me his wife had moved out with their three kids. He was devastated and said, “I’ll do anything to get my family back!” Once I better understood some of the issues involved I made some suggestions to address the circumstances. (I learned early on never to tell people what they “should” do for two reasons: I rarely knew the whole story and didn’t want to be blamed if things went south.) But each one was met with resistance. I finally told him he’d lose his family if he wasn’t willing to change (he was a controller). Sadly he and his wife later divorced, likely due to his inflexibility.

Another man asked me to lunch to discuss his financial situation. He had a one-man business (an Uber-type car service) which wasn’t making it. I asked him to consider going to work for a limo service or cab company (we were near a moderately busy airport so the opportunities were present) but he was adamant about being his own boss. I’ve lost track of him but he was unwilling to change his ways for as long as I was in contact with him and his struggles continued.

As we read through Scripture we find a number of people whom God called to significant life changes. He told Abraham, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to a land I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1). At age 75 he followed God’s summons. Moses was tending sheep at 80 years young when God said, “I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” (Exodus 3:10). After offering five excuses he finally obeyed. Jesus asked four fishermen and a tax collector to “Follow me.” (Matthew 4:19; 9:9) and they did so without delay. And persecutor-turned-preacher Saul of Tarsus heard Jesus’ voice saying, “…Go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” (Acts 9:6) and off he went. And the Lord called kings, prophets and other “lesser” servants to change from what they were doing to something much better in His sight. And only eternity knows their impact.

You and I have been called to lives of godly service. After presenting the truth of salvation in Romans 1-11 Paul calls on his readers to respond as living sacrifices and adds, “When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?...let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” (Romans 12:1-2, NLT). Sure, change is tough—but in the Holy Spirit’s power it can be done. And it’s certainly worth it!

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan