Pastor Buddy’s Blog

Journal,

Last Wednesday I taught on the subject, ‘The Rejected Cornerstone.’ During the teaching I called attention to an ancient Hebraism used by the sages with regard to the fig tree. They taught that where it says each of us will have our own fig tree, this was a metaphor for the study of God’s Word, for God’s presence, and for the security of those who loved the Lord, that is, true believers. They connected this term with Messiah.

For example, Micah spoke of the Messiah in saying, “Each of them will sit under his vine and under his fig tree, with no one to make them afraid, for the mouth of the Lord of host has spoken.” cf. Micah 4:4 nasb.

During the teaching I called attention to the Lord’s encounter with Nathanael. Listen to it. Perhaps it will perk your heart…

“Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote–Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’

Nathanael said to him, ‘Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?’

Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, ‘Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!’

Nathanael said to Him, ‘How do You know me?’

Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.’

Nathanael answered Him, ‘Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.’

Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.’ And He said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.’” John 1:45-51 nasb

It isn’t my purpose to reteach this, but think about it for a moment. Here is a lesson from silence. No where are we told that Nathanael saw angels ascending and descending on Jesus. But you can be sure that he indeed did see this very thing.  This is where personal words from Jesus will have their fulfillment. – Meditate on that for a bit –

Another lesson is also brought from silence. Why did Nathanael have such an immediate response in calling Jesus ‘the king of Israel.’ It was because only God would have known what was happening in Nathanael’s thinking when he was studying the Torah.

And finally, where do you suppose Nathanael was studying? The Lord’s response gives us a hint. It is most likely that Nathanael was meditating on Jacob’s visitation from the Lord in his dream-vision, when he saw the angels ascending and descending on the stairway of heaven. (You can read this in Genesis 28:12-17)

Ok, more on the Scriptural use of the fig tree in a moment. Right now I need to tell you about a special gift…

I now have me an official fig tree…

Nathan came by one morning and said, “Have you seen your gift?” Little did I know that one of our precious brothers had planted a fig tree on the hill behind Christian Challenge. You know the one where I have my meditating bench.

Sure enough, Robert Hazmark had planted me a fig tree. The tree looks bare but that is because it is winter. And those two handsome blokes are me and the General. Yes indeed, CJ has already claimed the tree for himself. (Know what I mean Vern?)

Thank you Robert and Donna and kids. What a wonderful gift. In fact we went out this morning for Betty to take pictures of we boys next to our tree.  : )

Let’s continue the fig tree image a bit further… 

If we keep in mind what the fig tree metaphor represented during the time of Jesus, that is, the study of God’s Word, for God’s presence, and for the security of those who loved the Lord, then we will properly understand the lesson behind the cursed fig tree.

The fig tree was also a common symbol for Jerusalem and the temple priesthood, from which the Word of God was to flow forth. Jerusalem would become the cursed fig tree.

Listen to an acted out prophecy –

“On the next day, when they had left Bethany, He became hungry. Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. He said to it, ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again!’ And His disciples were listening.

He was teaching them a lesson. The Lord knew that it wasn’t the season for figs. He wanted them to listen carefully and also to connect the dots in what was about to happen.

“Then they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; and He would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the temple. And He began to teach and say to them, ‘Is it not written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations”? But you have made it a robber’s den.’

Another acted out prophecy. The true judgment upon Jerusalem and the temple would take place in 70 a.d. The priesthood was corrupt. The people were not being taught God’s Word properly. Seems everyone was out for greedy gain. Does that remind you of anything today?

“The chief priests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, for the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching.

Out of this fear would come the crucifixion.

“When evening came, they would go out of the city. As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. Being reminded, Peter said to Him, ‘Rabbi, look, the fig tree which You cursed has withered.’

The lesson was in place. Israel would reject her King. No more fruit would be found in her and she would wither up as a defined people group. (Until the right time.)

“And Jesus answered saying to them, ‘Have faith in God.’ ‘Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, “Be taken up and cast into the sea,” and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him.

In Hebrew symbolism the term ‘mountain’ in the Bible represents a kingdom. Casting this mountain into the sea represented Israel being scattered among the nations. To the Hebrews the term ’sea’ was often used with regard to the nations of the world. Israel would lose her reckoning as a nation and would disappear among the Gentiles.  In the last days Israel would be restored to a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

“Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.”

This last statement is an supplement to the cursing of the fig tree. The expression “have faith in God” should be understood more properly as, ‘have the faith that comes from God.’ This means that God Himself will grant us whatever faith we need for whatever the case may be.  

Once again, the issue in Jesus cursing the fig tree was an ‘acted out prophecy.’ In this case the fig tree had a special significance to Jerusalem and the temple, that is, to the teaching place of the former covenant. When the Jewish leadership rejected their own Messiah, they forfeited their place in being the voice of God. Thus the nation became cursed.

This is what Paul meant when he wrote, “If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.” (1Co16:22,23)

Will Israel once again blossom as a fruit bearing fig tree?

The answer is yes. Israel will once again bear fruit for her Messiah. It all has to do with the second coming of Jesus. Keep in mind that the fig tree is also a symbol of Israel. And the Bible teaches that one day Israel’s thinking will turn to Jesus Christ.

In Zechariah 12:10 reads:

“And I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced…” 

Now follow this with Mat24:30-33: 

“And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.

“And he will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.

“Now learn the parable from the fig tree; when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.” (Mat24:30-33)

Israel is a young and tender nation before God. She is putting forth leaves but not yet the fruit of Messiah. The parable is telling us to keep our eyes on Israel and Jerusalem. As I have often said, ‘It began in Jerusalem. It ends in Jerusalem.’

There is much more here, but I’ll simply repeat what Paul said to young Timothy, “Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.” (2Ti2:7)

Have you found your a fig tree…

Keep in mind what the fig tree means to believers personally — The fig tree is a Hebraic  metaphor for the study of God’s Word, for God’s presence, and for the security of those who loved the Lord, that is, true believers. 

Also keep in mind that the early Jewish believers considered that the study of God’s Word was the highest form of worship. 

Well, I tried to think of a song to go with my fig tree.

Ok, here’s one — http://youtube.com/watch?v=wqStWwsS1kQ

Who said you had to be professional to make a joyful noise to the Lord. 

Nuff for today.

Blessings and more blessings coming your way.

Buddy