Plants of the Bible
11. The Fir – Promise
“I am like a green fir tree”
(Hosea 14:8)
Image: morguefile.com
The final plant of the Bible we are to look at is another tree. The fir tree occurs widely and especially in mountainous areas. Like the cedar, to which it is closely related, it is a conifer, meaning that it carries its seeds in structures called cones. While pine trees like our Scots pine often have small, round cones the firs tend to have long cones which stand upright on the branches.
There are about fifty species of fir. The different species can be told apart by the size and shape of the cones and the pattern of the leaves. Although the wood of most firs is only used as rough timber or pulped to make paper in the Scriptures the fir tree had some special uses. When king David and his chosen men brought up the ark of God from Gibeah they played before the Lord on “all manner of instruments made of fir wood” (2Sam.6:5). Later when king Solomon built the temple its floor, doors and panelling were made of wood from fir trees (1Kings 6:15,34; 2Chron.3:5).
Through the prophet Hosea God called his people Israel to repentance. They had fallen from their greatness by their sin and brought many troubles upon themselves. The Lord assured them of his blessing if they would turn back to him. Their guilt would be removed and God would be reconciled to them. They would flourish spiritually and be fruitful by his grace. This was his sure promise.
To seal his promise to Israel God gives them here an encouraging description of himself. He compares himself to a fir tree. He does the same for his church today. We may say that Jesus Christ, having died on the cross and risen again, is like a fir tree to his people. He has purchased salvation for them and it is safe in his hands. “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us” (2Cor.1:20). There are three things about the fir tree which illustrate this.
Firstly there is the dignity of the fir tree. Firs are among the largest trees in the world. There are some which soar over two hundred feet in height and their trunks are perfectly straight. In the same way the Lord Jesus Christ stands out among men. He was chosen by God to mediate between God and sinners and he has succeeded in a most wonderful way.
As the Son of God Jesus is “the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity” (Isa.57:15); as the Son of man Jesus was “meek and lowly in heart” while in this world (Matt.11:29). He was obedient to his Father in loving his law and suffering his wrath in the place of sinners. As a reward for his uprightness “God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name” (Phil.2:9). Our victorious Saviour has been raised above every king on earth and every angel in heaven! He guarantees that those who follow him will share in his glory: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne” (Rev.3:21).
Secondly there is the security of the fir tree. The needle-like leaves are arranged so thickly on its branches that they provide a complete cover. Perhaps you have discovered this yourself. Hide under the branches of a fir tree in the wet of winter and the rain will not touch you; hide under the same branches in the heat of summer and you will find a soothing shade!
Believers are God’s “hidden ones” (Psa.83:3). Men of the world who have no love for truth, righteousness or the gospel of grace may scorn and persecute them but the Lord watches over them. Their lives are “hid with Christ in God” (Col.3:3) and they are secure from every foe. They belong to a faithful Saviour who has said, “they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:28).
Finally there is the vitality of the fir tree. The fir is an evergreen, meaning that its leaves remain fresh all year round while the leaves of other trees fade, fall to the ground and die. So Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Heb.13:8). He lives an endless life, and so do his people in him. “For there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore” (Psa.133:3).
Jesus Christ is constant in His love for his own. From him all blessings flow to God’s people and their every need is met, both for this world and for the world to come. “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell” (Col.1:19). There is grace, mercy and peace; there is forgiveness, righteousness and holiness. Jesus will never fail to supply his own in time or in eternity. Jesus is able to say to all his disciples: “because I live, ye shall live also” (John 14:19).
The branches of this great fir tree bend down towards you now in the gospel. Lay hold of Christ by faith! Trust in him and he will fulfil in your life the precious promise he has made. “And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life” (1John 2:25).
