Jan 22nd: Tu B'Shevat - Tree Day!

Throughout the centuries, Kabbalists have used the tree as a metaphor to understand God's relationship to the spiritual and physical worlds. (Aish.com)

Trees are rooted in the earth, but reach up towards the sky. They bear fruit. In spring they grow leaves, in fall they turn colors and in winter they lose their leaves to start all over again. Through the Bible at times God’s people improperly worshipped trees. Although this is true, Trees have a connection to the spiritual which is not improper.

Remember that “it” all started in the Garden of Eden of an issue of the fruit of a tree. And there were two significant Trees in the Garden, the Tree of Life & the Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil.

Let’s look at Abraham and Oaks:

Genesis 12:6
6Abram passed through the land as far as the site of (A)Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. Now the Canaanite was then in the land
Genesis 13:18
18Then Abram moved his tent and came and dwelt by the (A)oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and there he built (B)an altar to the LORD.
Genesis 14:13
Then a fugitive came and told Abram the Hebrew Now he was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner, and these were allies with Abram.

Genesis 18:1
[ Birth of Isaac Promised ] Now the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day.

Also Jacob before God named him Israel:

Genesis 35:3-5
3and let us arise and go up to Bethel, and I will make (A)an altar there to God, (B)who answered me in the day of my distress and (C)has been with me wherever I have gone."
4So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods which they had and the rings which were in their ears, and Jacob hid them under the oak which was near Shechem.
5As they journeyed, there was (D)a great terror upon the cities which were around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob.
And verse 10

10(O)God said to him, "Your name is Jacob; You shall no longer be called Jacob,
But Israel shall be your name." Thus He called him Israel.

Oaks are mentioned multiple times with Joshua and the Promised Land…

Gideon when the Angel of the Lord appeared to him:

Judges 6:18-20
18"Please do not depart from here, until I come back to You, and bring out my offering and lay it before You." And He said, "I will remain until you return."
19Then Gideon went in and (A)prepared a young goat and unleavened bread from an [a]ephah of flour; he put the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot, and brought them out to him under the oak and presented them.
20The angel of God said to him, "Take the meat and the unleavened bread and lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth." And he did so.
Also:

Anointing of Saul as King

Absalom when his hair became caught on a tree was an Oak.

Jesus & trees

Isaiah 61:3
To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting, so they will be called Oaks of Righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.
Jesus in his ministry, as prophetic fulfillment of himself read most of what appeared right before this verse regarding “Oaks of Righteousness”. Some translations simply say Trees vs. Oaks and I think this leaves something important out. Oak is a symbol of strength and quality and it fits the context of what this section of Isaiah is saying. Let’s read on to see what else it says about these “Oaks of Righteousness”…

Mark 8:23-25 (King James Version)
23And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. 24And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. 25After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.
I believe that this is in God’s word for a reason. Did Jesus accidentally do this? No. Is it recorded by accident. No. So why did Jesus allow this man in the healing to see men as trees. Why the mention in Isaiah? There is something more here than a metaphor.
Since the Holy Temple was destroyed, the Jewish people could no longer bring the First Fruits (Bikkurim) to Jerusalem. On Tu B'Shvat we offer instead the fruit of our lips, to praise God for all the fruit trees in the world. (Aish.com)
Tu B’Shvat is known as Rosh Hashanah for trees. Since we know that Rosh Hashanah has a tie in with the Rapture and trees has a tie in with God’s planting or elect and that this holiday has a connection with first fruits as well, it certainly bears watching.
Tu B’ Shvat marks the 1st day of Spring in Israel.
The Mishnah in Tractate Rosh Hashana says that Tu B'Shvat is New Year for the TREE (singular). This reference to a singular tree alludes to The Tree -- the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden. (Aish.com)
Last Year I wrote the below about Tu B’ Shvat which was on February 2nd and the same day as Candlemas (purification of the virgin and the presentation of Jesus at the Temple). I am watching January 22nd and February 2nd/3rd very carefully this year.
Also, notice that the riders mentioned below are seen by Zechariah in the 11th month on the 24th day. This would be January 31st this year.

Tree of Life
(Written January 9, 2007)

Proverbs 3:18
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast.
Trees…

Branches, roots, and fruit – can we glean anything from this?

February 2nd this year is Tu B'Shevat, also known as Rosh Hashana for trees.

It is interesting that this falls in the “Season of Esther” – the month of Tebeth until Purim. Hadassa means “Flowering Myrtle Tree”. Maybe there is something to learn here.

Myrtle Tree:

It has yellowish-white blossoms, and blooms in February or early March. The nuts are mature about October. Further proof of God’s Sovereignty and that he forms us in the womb. Hadassah is Esther’s Jewish name. Purim is of course the Jewish holiday named after Esther and Mordecai who overthrew the evil Haman and his plot against God’s people. This holiday takes place in February or March each year.
God always leaves much deep meaning for us to glean from. The “fruit” of this tree, which are nuts mature about October. The branches of this tree are used in Sukkoth. Also, they are used as wedding decorations.
Through struggles and stress, Myrtle trees form beautiful pictures in their wood. With a little imagination one can see animals, ocean scenes, mountains, or rivers. If you are lucky enough to find a piece with a pink or orange streak, you may even see a sunset.
Also, they grow in lush valleys and are nearly symmetrical and look already pruned when they in fact have not been.

Here are a couple of interesting Bible passages on Myrtle trees that are deeply prophetic. Like Esther/Hadassah, these trees represent a select people God has a special plan for:

Zechariah 1:7-17

"Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white. Then said I, O my lord, what are these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these be. And the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, These are they whom the LORD hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth. And they answered the angel of the LORD that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, We have walked to and fro through the earth, and, behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest. Then the angel of the LORD answered and said, O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years? And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words. So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy. And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction. Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem. Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the LORD shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem"

Clearly the horses and riders are angelic riders, one of them probably Jesus. Since they are positioned among the Myrtle trees they are there for defense and protection. You’ve heard the saying the “fruit grows in the valley”. The Myrtle trees grow and grow their fruit in the valley. Their fruit comes full in the fall, with their blossoms corresponding to Purim or a time of war and defense. Through stress (refinement by YHWH) each develops a unique pattern (Spiritual gifting/character).

Also Isaiah 55:13

Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign.

and

When you come to the land and you plant any tree, you shall treat its fruit as forbidden; for three years it will be forbidden and not eaten. In the fourth year, all of its fruit shall be sanctified to praise the LORD. In the fifth year, you may eat its fruit. -Leviticus 19:23-25

From the Judiasm 101 website:

There are four new years... the first of Shevat is the new year for trees according to the ruling of Beit Shammai; Beit Hillel, however, places it on the fifteenth of that month. -Mishnah Rosh Hashanah 1:1
Tu B'Shevat, the 15th day of the Jewish month of Shevat, is a holiday also known as the New Year for Trees.
Jewish Year 5767 : sunset February 2, 2007 - nightfall February 3, 2007

According to www.hebrew4christians.com Tu B’Shevat marks the first day of Spring in Israel as well.

YHWH cares about trees, had rules to live by and also compared them to man. There is no doubt they have a connection to man, which we will go into further later. Israel even got them in trouble for worshipping trees. Seem silly? Well, there are lots of things that we don’t understand in our secular society now that made spiritual sense that we have lost. We will find that although these practices were idolatry much that was done long ago was not because people were some sort of “Neanderthals” and didn’t have our science, but rather it is we who have lost a deep understanding of the origins and deep truths. However, this is no excuse to worship trees.
Deuteronomy 20:19
19"When you besiege a city a long time, to make war against it in order to capture it, you shall not destroy its trees by swinging an axe against them; for you may eat from them, and you shall not cut them down. For is the tree of the field a man, that it should be besieged by you?
Again from the www.hebrew4christians website:

A story from the Talmud discusses planting trees for subsequent generations. This story represents the concept of tikkun olam – the repair of the world.

Isaiah 55:12 “…and the trees of the fields will clap their hands…”

Isaiah 60:13 “The glory of Lebanon will come to you, the juniper, the box tree and the cypress together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I shall make the place of My feet glorious.”

Who are these trees? What will this mean?

It looks like there are many types, and with many types comes many meanings. I have to go to the most prominent place I can think of regarding trees and start there:
Isaiah 61:3
To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting, so they will be called Oaks of Righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.
Jesus in his ministry, as prophetic fulfillment of himself read most of what appeared right before this verse regarding “Oaks of Righteousness”. Some translations simply say Trees vs. Oaks and I think this leaves something important out. Oak is a symbol of strength and quality and it fits the context of what this section of Isaiah is saying. Let’s read on to see what else it says about these “Oaks of Righteousness”…

What they will do (4 is the number of earth):

4Then they will (L)rebuild the ancient ruins,
They will raise up the former devastations;
And they will repair the ruined cities,
The desolations of many generations.

What they will possess (5 is the number of Grace):

5(M)Strangers will stand and pasture your flocks,
And foreigners will be your farmers and your vinedressers.

What their official position is (6 is the number of man):

6But you will be called the (N)priests of the LORD;
You will be spoken of as (O)ministers of our God
You will eat the (P)wealth of nations,
And in their riches you will boast.

Their redemption (7 is God’s number – Spiritual Perfection):

7Instead of your (Q)shame you will have a (R)double portion,
And instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion
Therefore they will possess a double portion in their land,
(S)Everlasting joy will be theirs.

Justice and a New Covenant! (8 is God’s number for new beginnings)

8For I, the LORD, (T)love justice,
I hate robbery in the burnt offering;
And I will faithfully give them their recompense
And make an (U)everlasting covenant with them.

Their family will be blessed (9 is the last chance plague for Pharaoh, who lost his firstborn – 9 is finality)

9Then their offspring will be known among the nations,
And their descendants in the midst of the peoples.
All who see them will recognize them
Because they are the (V)offspring whom the LORD has blessed.

Rejoicing and Marriage (10 is the number for ordinal completion)

10I will (W)rejoice greatly in the LORD,
My soul will exult in (X)my God;
For He has (Y)clothed me with garments of salvation,
He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
And (Z)as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

New beginnings (11 is the number for change, redemption for the righteous and judgment for the wicked. It comes right after 10 which is ordinal completion and before 12 which is the number for earthly government)

11For as the (AA)earth brings forth its sprouts,
And as a garden causes the things sown in it to spring up,
So the Lord GOD will (AB)cause (AC)righteousness and praise
To spring up before all the nations.

Let’s look at Abraham and Oaks:
Genesis 12:6
6Abram passed through the land as far as the site of (A)Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. Now the Canaanite was then in the land
Genesis 13:18
18Then Abram moved his tent and came and dwelt by the (A)oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and there he built (B)an altar to the LORD.
Genesis 14:13
Then a fugitive came and told Abram the Hebrew Now he was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner, and these were allies with Abram.

Genesis 18:1
[ Birth of Isaac Promised ] Now the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day.

Also Jacob before God named him Israel:

Genesis 35:3-5
3and let us arise and go up to Bethel, and I will make (A)an altar there to God, (B)who answered me in the day of my distress and (C)has been with me wherever I have gone."
4So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods which they had and the rings which were in their ears, and Jacob hid them under the oak which was near Shechem.
5As they journeyed, there was (D)a great terror upon the cities which were around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob.
And verse 10

10(O)God said to him, "Your name is Jacob; You shall no longer be called Jacob,
But Israel shall be your name." Thus He called him Israel.

Oaks are mentioned multiple times with Joshua and the Promised Land…

Gideon when the Angel of the Lord appeared to him:

Judges 6:18-20
18"Please do not depart from here, until I come back to You, and bring out my offering and lay it before You." And He said, "I will remain until you return."
19Then Gideon went in and (A)prepared a young goat and unleavened bread from an [a]ephah of flour; he put the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot, and brought them out to him under the oak and presented them.
20The angel of God said to him, "Take the meat and the unleavened bread and lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth." And he did so.
Also:

Anointing of Saul as King

Absalom when his hair became caught on a tree was an Oak.

If you do some reading and searching regarding Oaks in the Bible you will see both good and bad. It really started out good and Isaiah prophesies about the Oaks of Righteousness. Israel with it’s fallen human nature took something good and worshipped the created instead of the Creator.

There is a lot more to study on trees in the Bible, but this is a good start.

Blessings,

Tony