Trees & the Third Watch

Coming soon is a little known minor Jewish Feast Holiday called Tu’ B Shevat, which is known as the Rosh Hashanah for Trees (New Year for Trees). I have seen it related as an “Arbor Day” of sorts. I believe that this sells it short because in the bible trees are far more significant than what a “secular” person might think of simply planting a new tree to make a contribution to the environment.

I do not believe that the Rapture will happen on this day which is January 22nd, but I am watching it for a yet unknown significant event. Here are a couple of reasons to watch:

It is the Rosh Hashanah for Trees (more information on why trees are so significant to YHWH to follow)
This is a full moon day
Seasons of the year correspond to a time on the clock (Torah.org). “Fall is analogous to evening-time, the dead of wintr to mid-night, spring to dawn, and summer to mid-day. That being so, it follows that Tu B’Shvat is about 3 or 4 a.m., since it’s smack-dab in the middle of winter season.”

Part of the significance of the New Year for Trees is the “tithe” requirement. Based on when the fruit from the tree forms relevant to the Tu’ B Shevat date each year makes a difference in the “tithe” similar to our “fiscal year”. As I was reading this the first thing I thought of was Jesus’ mention of the fig tree, especially since Tu’ B Shevat is considered the first day of spring in Israel (a tie in also to February 2/3 Candlemas Day, which is also our Groundhog day).

Matthew 24
32Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
Luke 13
6He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
7Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
8And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
Matthew 3:10And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Men Are Trees
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.
Isaiah 61:3 (King James Version)
3To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
- A person is like the tree of a field... (Deut. 20:19)
- For as the days of a tree shall be the days of my people. (Isaiah 65:22)
- He will be like a tree planted near water... (Jeremiah 17:8)
Isaiah 55:12 “the trees of the field shall clap their hands…”
Holy Spirit
Tu B'Shvat is technically the day when trees stop absorbing water from the ground, and instead draw nourishment from their sap.(Aish.com) I believe this relates to drawing from the Holy Spirit and/or the “blood of Christ”. In fact the sap is called the “blood” in the “heart” of the tree. A change is made from drawing from the earth to drawing from within.

Luke 17:21Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

However, to be clear this within would be through the “blood of Christ” and not a new age form. It is “through and by Christ” alone.

Tu B’ Shvat & Candlemas tie-ins

Tu B’ Shevat is a minor jewish holiday and Candlemas is a Christian holiday (little known as well). Last year these two holidays overlapped on February 2nd. This year Tu B’ Shevat is on January 22nd and February 2/3rd is Candlemas. February 2nd is also Groundhog Day. Both the Jewish and Christian observance are early looks and indications of spring.

I’ll be writing more and I am looking anxiously at these dates.

Blessings,

Tony