In the first book of the Bible God took Adam and his bride Eve and put them in the Garden of Eden. At the center of that garden was the tree of life. In the last book of the Bible, God takes Christ and His Bride (the Church) and puts them in the New Jerusalem. At the center of it is the tree of life. Interestingly, Proverbs gives us three insights into the significance of this tree of life.
First, it is Wisdom Personified: Proverbs 3:18, “Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly.” Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 1:30, “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God.” Jesus is wisdom personified.
Second, it is the Fruit of the Righteousness: Proverbs 11:30 says, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life...” In Philippians 1:11 it says we are, “being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ.” Here we see that the fruit of righteousness only comes from Jesus.
Third, it is the Coming Desire/Hope: Proverbs 13:12 tells us, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes it is a tree of life.” Haggai 2:7 prophecies about the Messiah saying, “And I will shake all nations, and the Desire of All nations shall come.” And 1 Timothy 1:1 calls Jesus “the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope.”
When we put it all together it’s easy to see that the tree of life is a picture of Jesus. He has always been and will forever be our only source of life. God intends for Jesus to be at the center of our lives. Eating from the tree of life represents the wisdom in choosing to take hold of the righteousness of Jesus by faith. We hold tightly to Jesus by placing our hope fully on and longing for His soon return.
Where are you looking for life? What have you built your life around? What are you really longing for?
First, it is Wisdom Personified: Proverbs 3:18, “Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly.” Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 1:30, “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God.” Jesus is wisdom personified.
Second, it is the Fruit of the Righteousness: Proverbs 11:30 says, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life...” In Philippians 1:11 it says we are, “being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ.” Here we see that the fruit of righteousness only comes from Jesus.
Third, it is the Coming Desire/Hope: Proverbs 13:12 tells us, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes it is a tree of life.” Haggai 2:7 prophecies about the Messiah saying, “And I will shake all nations, and the Desire of All nations shall come.” And 1 Timothy 1:1 calls Jesus “the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope.”
When we put it all together it’s easy to see that the tree of life is a picture of Jesus. He has always been and will forever be our only source of life. God intends for Jesus to be at the center of our lives. Eating from the tree of life represents the wisdom in choosing to take hold of the righteousness of Jesus by faith. We hold tightly to Jesus by placing our hope fully on and longing for His soon return.
Where are you looking for life? What have you built your life around? What are you really longing for?
Posted in devo