Plants of the Bible
6. The Aloes – Righteousness
“All thy garments smell of myrrh,
and aloes, and cassia, out of the
ivory palaces, whereby they have
made thee glad”
(Psalm 45:8)
Image: Robert A. Blanchette,
University of Minnesota
http://forestpathology.coafes.umn.edu/
agarwood.htm
It is a great thing for us to be forgiven by God. As we have seen, God promises us a full pardon when at his own invitation we come to the Lord Jesus Christ in repentance and faith. Jesus died for sinners and his blood “cleanseth us from all sin” (1John 1:7). When our sins are blotted out we no longer have the fear of condemnation or of punishment.
Jesus has many blessings of grace to give to his people. There is however one blessing to which all other blessings are connected. We must say that something vital is missing from our lives when we enter into this world. It is something which Adam possessed when he was created but lost when he sinned and which the sinner regains when he believes in Jesus Christ. It is righteousness.
To be righteous is to be upright in God’s sight. God has given us his holy law which he commands us to obey. The truth though is that you and I have inherited a fallen nature from Adam and because of our sin we cannot meet the law’s demands. For this reason Jesus the Son of God was “made under the law” in order that by his own righteousness he might redeem those who were unable to keep the law and bring them to God (Gal.4:5,6).
There is a plant in the Bible which helps us to see the real wonder of Christ’s righteousness. The aloes of which the Psalmist wrote is a resin or oil which comes from a tree found in India and the Far East. In the Bible this tree is called “lign aloes” (Num.24:6). The aloe tree grows in rich soil and in warm, humid conditions and may reach over one hundred feet in height. It is evergreen and carries sweetly-scented, pure-white flowers. How is aloes like our Saviour’s righteousness?
Aloes is a rare substance. It is formed in a remarkable way. When the trunk or roots are infected by a particular fungus the tree responds by producing an aromatic resin which resists the fungal growth. The normal wood is light in colour but where it is affected the heartwood becomes dark and heavy. The fragrant wood is only found in trees which are dying and is known as agarwood or eaglewood.
Can you see that Christ’s righteousness is very special, indeed unique among men? Scripture says, “there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not” (Ecc.7:20). But the Son of God appeared in our nature and rendered a full obedience to God’s law. He said, “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart” (Psa.40:8). Jesus loved God perfectly and also his fellow man. Christ’s righteousness was worked out as he became “obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil.2:8). Jesus laid down his sinless life as a sacrifice for guilty, hell-deserving sinners.
Aloes is also an attractive substance. The resin extracted from the dying wood has a complex perfume which is highly effective even in small quantities. Its smell is very fragrant. In Israel a sacred oil using aloes and other materials was used to anoint the priests and kings.
The Psalmist is speaking here about Christ and his church. Christ appears in his heavenly court in royal robes which send forth a most pleasant perfume. God the Father has appointed his Son Jesus Christ Head of the church and anointed him as her King. The Holy Spirit has been poured upon Christ to enable him to serve as the Saviour of his people. Needy sinners are drawn to Christ because they see in him what they lack themselves. They see the virtues of his holy heart and harmless life. They see too the comforts of his salvation which are offered to them in the gospel. They have a desire after these things. “Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee” (Song 1:3).
Aloes is finally a precious substance. In ancient times it is said to have been worth its weight in gold. It is prized both because of its comparative rarity and its extraordinary odour.
Have you understood the value of Christ’s righteousness to your soul? We are in dire spiritual poverty. We are dressed in filthy, threadbare garments. We are altogether unfit for God. But in the Word of God we see how a holy God has provided salvation for sinners on righteous terms. Jesus Christ by his own life and death has wholly satisfied God’s requirements. Trusting in Christ we are covered spiritually from head to foot with “the robe of righteousness” (Isa.61:10). We are justified freely by God’s grace. The justice of God no longer has any claim upon those who are resting upon Christ by faith.
Christ is also our sanctification. We should be thankful to God that Jesus does not put us right with God and then leave us to walk the way of holiness on our own! When we are converted Jesus takes up his proper place upon the throne of our hearts. He alone is able to “subdue our iniquities” (Mic.7:19) and overcome the disobedience which remains within us. He gives us his Spirit to change us into his own likeness. So the Lord’s people pray, “let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us” (Psa.90:17).
Do you rejoice in the righteousness of Christ? Has his righteousness become your righteousness through faith in him? Christ is a King who takes pleasure in his people. May you be among them!
