Tag: Tree

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TREES – I See Men as Trees Walking – CHESNUT TREE (18)

#18 – I See Men as Trees Walking – Chesnut Tree

Mark 8:22-26

(TY200 – Lesson 18)

By Kathy L McFarland

8/01/2024

The Mysteries of Trees

Mark 8:22–26 (KJV 1900)

22 And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. 23 And 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. 24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. 25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. 26 And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.

TY200 – INTERPRETATION CONFIDENCE CHART

  1. Typology known as fully God’s Truth concerning trees walking as recorded in Mark 8:22-26 (Those specifically, typologically identified in Scripture)
  1. Trees in Scripture identify the different Spiritual Lives that are lived on this Earth
  • Different parts of the trees walking with Christ are fully represented in Scripture as God’s Truth
  1. Tree – Spiritual Lives of forgiven followers walking with the Lord Jesus Christ and producing powerful fruits of His.
    1. Root – The foundation of a tree from firstfruit that is secured by a lump of clay that can grow and produce living works of fruit
    1. Leaves – The preparation that LORD God makes for the coming events of living works.
    1. Fruit – Living works of the LORD God, done through followers (Branch) of the Lord Jesus Christ (Vine) at the guidance of the Holy Spirit with the spiritual life of a walking tree.
    1. Seed – Word of God.
  • The fruit of righteousness is a Tree of Life.
  • Cedar Tree – Spiritual life defines politically, worldly, and socially powerful leaders with spiritual hints of (righteous or wicked) strength whose height is far beyond regular people. They are political superstars with religious overtones throughout their persona. They can start their growth as righteous or secular; but eventually take on spiritual overtones and end up wicked. When one man assumes that great of power, then the spiritual side with the LORD God and the Lord Jesus Christ and their Holy Spirit is denied eventually. To gain such great power over people requires astute political manipulative control over their world with hints of divine empowerment; most often, that powerful of a man or woman leader realizes the need for appearances that “God is on their side,” whether it be for war or rule or privilege. So just as Lucifer dipped his roots into the biggest “flowing grace of God” river so do those that want to be ultimate ruler. It means nothing if their soul is measured. But it means everything to trick the masses and gain the power necessary to rule the world.
  1. Righteous Cedar Tree – The Spiritual Life that is beautiful, politically, and socially powerful, more spiritual growth than all the other trees, many protected followers. Can be goodly and righteous; but risks becoming a tyrant with a very thin line dividing righteousness from wickedness. They must have the shittah, myrtle, and oil trees surrounding them so they can see, know, consider, and understand, to maintain their righteous state.
  • Unrighteous Cedar Tree – The Spiritual Life of a tyrant. He lifts himself in height, he shoots up his top among the thick boughs, and his heart lifts in his height. He is all-powerful but wicked, with no Christian support surrounding him.
  1.  Typology Known Confidently (Those represented in Scripture with enough frequency, sufficiency, and accuracy to reveal their typological meanings with full Truth of God unchallenged and supported by the Holy Spirit’s teachings)
  1. Almond Tree – The believer, as an almond tree, is a Christian leader, chosen by God, that watches over the works of Christians guided by the Lord, and the people he serves.
  • Algum/Almug Tree – The Spiritual Life works that honors the LORD God and guides Believers to come closer to Him toward the beauty of His Holiness through the Lord Jesus Christ. Musical worship and high praise are often expressed through these types of Christian works.
  • Apple Tree – A Spiritual Life that can comfort those that love God, regardless of their status of sin. These Spiritual works provide protection, sweetness of life; the Christians doing these works are often beloved amongst the worldly receivers. (Believers from the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Lutheran, Baptist, and Methodist Social Services, and other Missionary and denominational efforts to house the homeless, feed the hungry, and provide comfort in despair are excellent examples of this type of spiritual lives lived in duty toward their works for God.)
  • Ash Tree – A Spiritual Life with a deceived heart, that stands among places of Christians and worships different false gods created by other human beings or self.
  1. Typology Known Probably (Knowledge of Scripture, God’s Way, Logic and common sense in the typological meaning can NOT be confirmed fully with the Word of God and the moving of the Holy Spirit)
  1.  Bay Tree – Native spiritual life that develops naturally.
  1. Fake Bay Tree – Imitation spiritual life forced upon believers through powerful coercion, trickery, evil, or control.
  • Box Tree – Spiritual life that stands in the midst of dryness. The location the Box Tree stands is empty of both worldly people and the flowing grace of the LORD God. Here stands the lonely Christian as a beacon for the uncommon seeker of God. Eventually, the Box Tree is combined with the other beautiful spiritual life souls that serve in the world and in the dry places and perform ministry guided by the Holy Spirit and coming together in the Sanctuary of the Lord. A possible identity of a Box Tree is a missionary that serves in extreme conditions with few common people, the lack of Christian presence and the lack of the movements of God.
  1. Typology NOT Known (Can NOT make even simple assumptions of the typological meaning because there is NOT enough frequency, sufficiency, or accuracy recorded in Scripture, and the Holy Spirit is NOT teaching deeper meaning)
  1. Chesnut Tree – It is NOT necessarily a beautiful spiritual life but serves a distinctive purpose in the spiritual world. (Uncertain of typology)

Genesis 30:37–39 (KJV 1900)

37 And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut tree; and pilled white strakes in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods. 38 And he set the rods which he had pilled before the flocks in the gutters in the watering troughs when the flocks came to drink, that they should conceive when they came to drink. 39 And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.

1. Green poplar, hazel, and chesnut trees can all be made into rods.[1]

Rods – 5234 מַקֵּל (mǎqꞏqēl): n.masc. and fem.; ≡ Str 4731; TWOT 1236—1. LN 3.47–3.59 branch, twig-stick, i.e., a part of a plant that extends from the body of a plant or tree, which can be removed from the tree (Ge 30:37,38, 39, 41; 1Sa 17:43; Jer 1:11; Hos 4:12+); 2. LN 6.29–6.40 wood club, i.e., a stout piece of wood used as a weapon (Eze 39:9+); 3. LN 6.215–6.225 staff, i.e., a long stick carried in the hand for various functions, including a walking helper, or shepherds tool, or symbol of rulership (Ge 32:11[EB 10]; Ex 12:11; Nu 22:27; 1Sa 17:40; Jer 48:17; Zec 11:7, 10,14+)[2]

3. The rod can be made into a long stick carried in the hand for walking, shepherds’ tool, or symbol of rulership.

4. But Jacob had another use for three rods. He pilled white strakes in the rods, showing the white inside them.

Pilled – 7202 פָּצַל (pāꞏṣǎl): v.; ≡ Str 6478; TWOT 1797—LN 19.27–19.33 (piel) debark, i.e., peel bark off a plant or tree, i.e., tear a layer off something (Ge 30:37, 38+) פְּצָלָה (peṣāꞏlā(h)) BDB: see 7203.[3]

Strakes – 7203 פְּצָלוֹת (peṣāꞏlôṯ): n.fem.pl.; ≡ Str 6479; TWOT 1797a—LN 3.47–3.59 peelings, i.e., a thin outer layer of organic material taken off plants or fruits of plants (Ge 30:37+), note: in context a “white stripe” pattern was possibly made from these peelings.[4]

5. When the bark was peeled from the green poplar, hazel, and chesnut trees, white stripes appeared on each of the rods.

6. Jacob placed the white striped rods into the gutters of the watering trough. The pure white cattle, goats and sheep that drank from that trough conceived before the rods.

7. They conceived ringstraked, speckled, and spotted sheep.

Ringstraked – 6819 עָקֹד (ʿāꞏqōḏ): adj.; ≡ Str 6124; TWOT 1678a—1. LN 79.26–79.38 (BDB, most versions) streaked, striped, i.e., pertaining to an alternating color pattern of stripes or less distinct linear discolorations (Ge 30:35, 39, 40; 31:8,10, 12+); note: (NKJV) speckled; note: for another interp, see next; 2. LN 79.88–79.90 (KB, Holladay) curly, i.e., pertaining to having a curly, crooked appearing tail on an animal, as a distinguishing mark, as a feature of an object (Ge 30:35, 39, 40; 31:8,10, 12+), note: context favors the meaning as a color pattern of some kind, see prior entry[5]

Speckled – 5923 נָקֹד (nāꞏqōḏ): adj.; ≡ Str 5348; TWOT 1410a—LN 79.26–79.38

speckled, spotted, i.e., pertaining to a variegated color pattern on an animal, either

specks or spots of dark on light or vice versa (Ge 30:32,33, 35, 39; 31:8,10, 12+)[6]

Spotted – 3229 טָלָא (ṭāꞏlā(ʾ)): v.; ≡ Str 2921; TWOT 805—LN 79.114–79.117 (qal pass. as a) see 3231.5; (pual) be patched, i.e., pertaining to being covered over with another newer piece of material (Jos 9:5+)[7]

8. No Theologist or Bible teacher fully understands why this happens; it is an unknown process. But what we know for sure is that Jacob increased his flock greatly by taking the different distinctly colored goats and sheep rather than the pure white ones.

Ezekiel 31:1–11 (KJV 1900)

And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the third month, in the first day of the month, that the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude; Whom art thou like in thy greatness? 3 Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs. 4 The waters made him great, the deep set him up on high with her rivers running round about his plants, and sent out her little rivers unto all the trees of the field. 5 Therefore his height was exalted above all the trees of the field, and his boughs were multiplied, and his branches became long because of the multitude of waters, when he shot forth. 6 All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations. 7 Thus was he fair in his greatness, in the length of his branches: for his root was by great waters. 8 The cedars in the garden of God could not hide him: the fir trees were not like his boughs, and the chesnut trees were not like his branches; nor any tree in the garden of God was like unto him in his beauty. 9 I have made him fair by the multitude of his branches: so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied him. 10 Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Because thou hast lifted up thyself in height, and he hath shot up his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his height; 11 I have therefore delivered him into the hand of the mighty one of the heathen; he shall surely deal with him: I have driven him out for his wickedness.

9. Chesnut trees do not have beautiful branches.

Teachings of Kathy L McFarland

Oh, how I wish I could teach you more. The typology of the chesnut tree is vague, and I do not have total confidence in its deeper meaning. My educated guess is that the chesnut tree is not necessarily a beautiful spiritual life but serves a distinctive purpose in the spiritual world. I will go with that for now and place it in the “Typology Known Not.” It will be one of those deeper meanings that I hope one day to know.

[1] The rod is a branch off a tree which can be removed from the tree without killing it

[2] James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997).

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Ibid.

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TREES – I See Men as Trees Walking – CEDAR TREE (PART 2)

By Kathy L McFarland

7/31/2024

The Mysteries of Trees

Mark 8:22–26 (KJV 1900)

22 And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. 23 And 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. 24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. 25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. 26 And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.

TY200 – INTERPRETATION CONFIDENCE CHART

  1. Typology known as fully God’s Truth concerning trees walking as recorded in Mark 8:22-26 (Those specifically, typologically identified in Scripture)
  1. Trees in Scripture identify the different Spiritual Lives that are lived on this Earth
  • Different parts of the trees walking with Christ are fully represented in Scripture as God’s Truth
  1. Tree – Spiritual Lives of forgiven followers walking with the Lord Jesus Christ and producing powerful fruits of His.
    1. Root – The foundation of a tree from firstfruit that is secured by a lump of clay that can grow and produce living works of fruit
    1. Leaves – The preparation that LORD God makes for the coming events of living works.
    1. Fruit – Living works of the LORD God, done through followers (Branch) of the Lord Jesus Christ (Vine) at the guidance of the Holy Spirit with the spiritual life of a walking tree.
    1. Seed – Word of God.
  • The fruit of righteousness is a Tree of Life.
  • Cedar Tree – Spiritual life defines politically, worldly, and socially powerful leaders with spiritual hints of (righteous or wicked) strength whose height is far beyond regular people. They are political superstars with religious overtones throughout their persona. They can start their growth as righteous or secular; but eventually take on spiritual overtones and end up wicked. When one man assumes that great of power, then the spiritual side with the LORD God and the Lord Jesus Christ and their Holy Spirit is denied eventually. To gain such great power over people requires astute political manipulative control over their world with hints of divine empowerment; most often, that powerful of a man or woman leader realizes the need for appearances that “God is on their side,” whether it be for war or rule or privilege. So just as Lucifer dipped his roots into the biggest “flowing grace of God” river so do those that want to be ultimate ruler. It means nothing if their soul is measured. But it means everything to trick the masses and gain the power necessary to rule the world.
  1.  Typology Known Confidently (Those represented in Scripture with enough frequency, sufficiency, and accuracy to reveal their typological meanings with full Truth of God unchallenged and supported by the Holy Spirit’s teachings)
  1. Almond Tree – The believer, as an almond tree, is a Christian leader, chosen by God, that watches over the works of Christians guided by the Lord, and the people he serves.
  • Algum/Almug Tree – The Spiritual Life works that honors the LORD God and guides Believers to come closer to Him toward the beauty of His Holiness through the Lord Jesus Christ. Musical worship and high praise are often expressed through these types of Christian works.
  • Ash Tree – A Spiritual Life with a deceived heart, that stands among places of Christians and worships different false gods created by other human beings or self.
  1. Typology Known Probably (Knowledge of Scripture, God’s Way, Logic and common sense in the typological meaning can NOT be confirmed fully with the Word of God and the moving of the Holy Spirit)
  1.  Bay Tree – Native spiritual life that develops naturally.
  1. Fake Bay Tree – Imitation spiritual life forced upon believers through powerful coercion, trickery, evil, or control.
  • Box Tree – Spiritual life that stands in the midst of dryness. The location the Box Tree stands is empty of both worldly people and the flowing grace of the LORD God. Here stands the lonely Christian as a beacon for the uncommon seeker of God. Eventually, the Box Tree is combined with the other beautiful spiritual life souls that serve in the world and in the dry places and perform ministry guided by the Holy Spirit and coming together in the Sanctuary of the Lord. A possible identity of a Box Tree is a missionary that serves in extreme conditions with few common people, the lack of Christian presence and the lack of the movements of God.
  1. Typology NOT Known (Can NOT make even simple assumptions of the typological meaning because there is NOT enough frequency, sufficiency, or accuracy recorded in Scripture, and the Holy Spirit is NOT teaching deeper meaning)

Teachings by Kathy L McFarland

Did any of you grow angry over Lucifer planting his cedar tree right next to the great waters of the LORD God, and sucking that grace given for God’s people into his big tree to become bigger and better than all others? I think that sometimes the devil is just an afterthought. But this creep did everything possible to make himself more powerful than our Lord, to include drinking those waters in God’s Garden. It reminds me of the anger I felt when I realized that the LORD God allowed Lucifer to go to and from Heaven at will, and to trick those angels. What nerve Lucifer had! Thankfully I know the rest of the story, and our side wins! Thanks be to God!

I have never taught a cedar tree the things of God that I am aware. I have taught a few almost powerful Christians, such as high-ranking military officers and some politicians, the deeper things of God, but it seldom happens. None have reached the height of cedar tree.

Cedar tree spiritual life defines a politically and spiritually (righteous or wicked) strong person whose height is far beyond regular people. They are political superstars with religious overtones throughout their persona. They can start their growth as righteous; but usually, they end up wicked. When one man assumes that great of power, then the spiritual side with the LORD God and the Lord Jesus Christ and their Holy Spirit is denied eventually. To gain such great power over people requires astute political manipulative control over people; most often, that powerful of a man or woman realizes the need for “God to be on their side,” whether it be for war or rule. So just as Lucifer dipped his roots into the biggest “flowing grace of God” river so do those that want to be ultimate ruler. It means nothing if their soul is measured. But it means everything to trick the masses and gain the power necessary to rule the world.

This next part of our study of the cedar tree is going to be focused on the righteous spiritual life of true followers of Christ before and after it goes bad.

Numbers 24:6 (KJV 1900)

6 As the valleys are they spread forth,

As gardens by the river’s side,

As the trees of lign aloes which the Lord hath planted,

And as cedar trees beside the waters.

1. Some cedar trees are planted by the LORD God beside His waters

2 Samuel 5:10–12 (KJV 1900)

10 And David went on, and grew great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him. 11 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house. 12 And David perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.

2. The cedar tree house built for David by Hiram, King of Tyre, gave him perception that the LORD God had established him king over Israel.

1 Kings 7:1–2 (KJV 1900)

But Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished all his house. 2 He built also the house of the forest of Lebanon; the length thereof was an hundred cubits, and the breadth thereof fifty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits, upon four rows of cedar pillars, with cedar beams upon the pillars.

3. Solomon built his house out of cedar when he became King.

1 Kings 9:10–11 (KJV 1900)

10 And it came to pass at the end of twenty years, when Solomon had built the two houses, the house of the Lord, and the king’s house, 11 (Now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and fir trees, and with gold, according to all his desire,) that then king Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.

4. King Hiram of Tyre furnished Solomon with cedar trees, fir trees, and gold to build the House of the LORD God, and King Solomon’s house.

5. King Solomon felt it was such a rich gift, that he gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.

Song of Solomon 5:15 (KJV 1900)

15 His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold:

His countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.

6. Excellent countenance is associated with cedars.

7. The Hebrew to “excellent countenance” can mean appearing magnificent to those that look, or it can mean an imposing connection that is looked upon with awe and wonder, possibly through the supernatural revelation from God. A deeper word study would need to be conducted, with the examination of the Solomon use compared to other uses to maybe connect closer. We will see if our study identifies it any better without confusing word studies.[1]

Zechariah 11:1–3 (KJV 1900)

Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars.

2  Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled:

Howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down.

3 There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled:

A voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled.

8. Lebanon cedar trees are tyrants that are destroyed, which brings howling by the fir tree of Lebanon and oaks of Bashan and the young lions of Jordan.

9. The cedar trees of Lebanon are mighty. They are devoured by a fire after being destroyed (spoiled).

a. Fallen – 5877 נָפַל (nāꞏp̄ǎl): v.; ≡ Str 5307; TWOT 1392—1. LN 15.118–15.122 (qal) fall, i.e., have an object go from a higher position to a lower position, often with the implication of being out of control in relation to the situation[2]

b. Spoiled – 8720 שָׁדַ ד (šāꞏḏǎḏ): v.; ≡ Str 7703, 7736; TWOT 2331—LN 20.31–20.60 (qal) devastate, ruin, i.e., destroy an object or condition in any of various ways (Job 12:6; 15:21; Ps 17:9; 91:6; Pr 11:3; Isa 16:4; 21:2; 33:1ac; Jer 6:26; 12:12; 15:8; 25:36; 47:4; 48:8, 18, 32; 49:28; 51:48, 53, 55, 56; Eze 32:12; Hos 10:14b; Ob 5; Mic 2:4a+), note: in some contexts the destruction includes looting and plundering[3]

c. Howl – 3536 יָלַל (yāꞏlǎl): v.; ≡ Str 3213; TWOT 868—LN 25.135–25.145 (hif) wail, howl, i.e., make loud crying and shrill shouting noises of sorrow[4]

Teachings of Kathy L McFarland

Remember this important observation as you study: the LORD God appoints the powerful leaders of the world or allows them to achieve fame and power as His Will chooses. As you will learn in our study, He already knows the consequences of humans embracing the cedar tree in their spirituality.

Yet, to advance His plans, He chooses the best leadership each situation demands to have the outcome He wills. Yet most of the cedar trees embrace Lucifers power in the end. This is not the choice of God, but of the fallen man that has gotten greedy for power that the cedar tree can manipulate.

The LORD God destroys the cedar trees that are mighty and wicked in His time. The tyrants are under His watch, and they will be destroyed.

Ezekiel 17:22–24 (KJV 1900)

22 Thus saith the Lord God; I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the top of his young twigs a tender one, and will plant it upon an high mountain and eminent: 23 In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell. 24 And all the trees of the field shall know that I the Lord have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the Lord have spoken and have done it.

10. The LORD God can make a goodly cedar merely by taking the highest branch of the high cedar and set it, crop off the top of his young twigs a tender one, and plant it upon a high mountain and eminent.

a. (Highest) Branch (set) – 7550 צַמֶּרֶת (ṣǎmꞏměꞏrěṯ): n.fem.; ≡ Str 6788; TWOT 1931b— 1. LN 3.47–3.59 tree-top, i.e., the uppermost part of a tree (Eze 17:3; 31:3, 10, 14+); 2. LN 3.47–3.59 shoot, sprig, i.e., a small branch from the top of a tree (Eze 17:22+), note: used to start a new plant[5]

b. Set – 3851 I. יָתַ ן (yāꞏṯǎn): v.; ≡ Str 5414; TWOT 1443—1. LN 23.205 (qal) be durable, healthy, i.e., not be easily diseased or uprooted (Pr 1:12 cj+), note: for NIV text, see 5989; 2. LN 68.11–68.21 (qal) last a long time, i.e., continue to be in a certain state for a considerable duration (Isa 33:16 cj+), note: NIV parses as 5989[6]

c. Crop – 7786 קָטַף (qāꞏṭǎp̄): v.; ≡ Str 6998; TWOT 2010—1. LN 43 (qal) pluck, pick off, i.e., remove as harvest, the fruit part of a plant (Dt 23:26[EB 25]; Job 30:4+); (nif) picked (Job 8:12+); 2. LN 43 (qal) transplant, formally, break off, i.e., remove a sprig of a tree (as a propagation technique) and replant as a new plant (Eze 17:4, 22+)[7]

d. Tender – 3438 יוֹנֶקֶת (yôꞏněꞏqěṯ): n.fem.; ≡ Str 3127; TWOT 874b—LN 3.47–3.59 new plant shoot, i.e., a young shoot of vegetation (Job 8:16; 14:7; 15:30; Ps 80:12[EB 11]; Eze 17:22; Hos 14:7[EB 6]+)[8]

e. Plant – 9278 שָׁתַ ל (šāꞏṯǎl): v.; ≡ Str 8362; TWOT 2480—LN 43 (qal) plant, i.e., place seeds, slips, or root-stock in the ground for growing and cultivation (Eze 17:22, 23+)[9]

f. High – 1468 גָּבֵ הּ (gāꞏḇēah): adj.; ≡ Str 1362, 1364;— 2. LN 81.3–81.11 high, towered, i.e., pertaining to being in an elevated spatial position or dimension (Eze 31:3+), note: see also 1469[10]

g. Eminent – 9435 תָּלוּל (tāꞏlûl): adj.; ≡ Str 8524; TWOT 2513—LN 81.3–81.11 lofty, towering, high, i.e., pertaining to being relatively high or tall (Eze 17:22+), cf. also 9424[11]

11. The LORD God has control over all trees. He can bring down the high tree, exalt the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish.[12]

Isaiah 41:17–20 (KJV 1900)

17 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none,

And their tongue faileth for thirst,

I the Lord will hear them,

I the God of Israel will not forsake them.

18 I will open rivers in high places,

And fountains in the midst of the valleys:

I will make the wilderness a pool of water,

And the dry land springs of water.

19 I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together:

20 That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together,

That the hand of the Lord hath done this,

And the Holy One of Israel hath created it.

Teachings of Kathy L McFarland

“Uneasy is the head that wears the crown” (Shakespeare, in Henry IV, Part 2, Act 3, scene 1, lines 26–31).

What can we do when we see a righteous cedar tree beginning the power journey, developing into a leader that knows the Lord? PRAY! PRAY! PRAY! for him. Pray for other strong spiritual trees to surround him and provide him with God’s teachings and counsel as he tries to navigate this wicked world. Call upon the shittah, myrtle, and oil trees to guide the cedar tree in the wilderness so he can see, know, consider, and understand together with them. That is the solution that the LORD God has made to grow a righteous cedar tree to prevent him falling to the depths of wickedness with Lucifer. This is the protection of God that the cedar tree must embrace to maintain holiness. Without a strong, spiritual counsel surrounding him, he is certain to become wicked because of his awesome power and spiritual knowledge.

Let us consider End Times drama for a bit. There is going to be conflict between many that appear to be cedar trees. They are going to be powerful and appear to be very holy and righteous. The worst players are going to look the most righteous. But we have learned that no cedar tree can be all-powerful and all-righteous; it is impossible. When the cedar trees reach the ultimate power, even those that started out with good intentions, they usually embrace wickeAdness in the end. But with

support, the cedar can be a righteous leader for the poor and needy.

So as the End Time timing unfolds, look at the powerful and high-reaching cedar trees from the wilderness. Do they have the shittah, myrtle, and oil trees surrounding them so they can see, know, consider, and understand? The LORD God has let us know how a cedar tree can maintain righteousness. As End Times approaches let us commit to identify the powerful, untruthful, unrighteous leaders, even if they appear on their own most holy, and take appropriate action to protect God’s people. Because if they are without strong Christian support by strong Christian leaders, they are tricking those that don’t know.

Worksheet

1. What are the characteristics of a righteous cedar tree?

2. What are the characteristics of a wicked cedar tree?

3. What happens to make a wicked cedar tree against God?

4. What type of trees in the wilderness does the cedar tree need to support his righteousness?

5. What can a cedar tree realize if he has the correct support?

Remember to come back to this teaching when you learn the characteristics of the other trees associated with the cedar tree!

[1] James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Hebrew (Old Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 5260, 5261

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Ibid.

[9] Ibid.

[10] Ibid.

[11] Ibid.

[12] Each of these verbs and adjectives have very specific meanings when you evaluate the words associated with trees and other deep things in God’s Word. We will examine them at another time.

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TREES – I See Men as Trees Walking – Box Tree (15)

#15 – I See Men as Trees Walking – Box Tree

Mark 8:22-26

(TY200 – Lesson 15)

By Kathy L McFarland

7/21/2024

The Mysteries of Trees

Mark 8:22–26 (KJV 1900)

22 And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. 23 And 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. 24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. 25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. 26 And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.

TY200 – INTERPRETATION CONFIDENCE CHART

  1. Typology known as fully God’s Truth concerning trees walking as recorded in Mark 8:22-26 (Those specifically, typologically identified in Scripture)
  1. Trees in Scripture identify the different Spiritual Lives that are lived on this Earth
  • Different parts of the trees walking with Christ are fully represented in Scripture as God’s Truth
  1. Tree – Spiritual Lives of forgiven followers walking with the Lord Jesus Christ and producing powerful fruits of His.
    1. Root – The foundation of a tree from firstfruit that is secured by a lump of clay that can grow and produce living works of fruit
    1. Leaves – The preparation that LORD God makes for the coming events of living works.
    1. Fruit – Living works of the LORD God, done through followers (Branch) of the Lord Jesus Christ (Vine) at the guidance of the Holy Spirit with the spiritual life of a walking tree.
    1. Seed – Word of God.
  • The fruit of righteousness is a Tree of Life.
  1.  Typology Known Confidently (Those represented in Scripture with enough frequency, sufficiency, and accuracy to reveal their typological meanings with full Truth of God unchallenged and supported by the Holy Spirit’s teachings)
  1. Almond Tree – The believer, as an almond tree, is a Christian leader, chosen by God, that watches over the works of Christians guided by the Lord, and the people he serves.
  • Algum/Almug Tree – The Spiritual Life works that honors the LORD God and guides Believers to come closer to Him toward the beauty of His Holiness through the Lord Jesus Christ. Musical worship and high praise are often expressed through these types of Christian works.
  • Apple Tree – A Spiritual Life that can comfort those that love God, regardless of their status of sin. These Spiritual works provide protection, sweetness of life; the Christians doing these works are often beloved amongst the worldly receivers. (Believers from the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Lutheran, Baptist, and Methodist Social Services, and other Missionary and denominational efforts to house the homeless, feed the hungry, and provide comfort in despair are excellent examples of this type of spiritual lives lived in duty toward their works for God.)
  • Ash Tree – A Spiritual Life with a deceived heart, that stands among places of Christians and worships different false gods created by other human beings or self.
  1. Typology Known Probably (Knowledge of Scripture, God’s Way, Logic and common sense in the typological meaning can NOT be confirmed fully with the Word of God and the moving of the Holy Spirit)
  1.  Bay Tree – Native spiritual life that develops naturally.
  1. Fake Bay Tree – Imitation spiritual life forced upon believers through powerful coercion, trickery, evil, or control.
  • Box Tree – Spiritual life that stands in the midst of dryness. The location the Box Tree stands is empty of both worldly people and the flowing grace of the LORD God. Here stands the lonely Christian as a beacon for the uncommon seeker of God. Eventually, the Box Tree is combined with the other beautiful spiritual life souls that serve in the world and in the dry places and perform ministry guided by the Holy Spirit and coming together in the Sanctuary of the Lord. A possible identity of a Box Tree is a missionary that serves in extreme conditions with few common people, the lack of Christian presence and the lack of the movements of God.
  1. Typology NOT Known (Can NOT make even simple assumptions of the typological meaning because there is NOT enough frequency, sufficiency, or accuracy recorded in Scripture, and the Holy Spirit is NOT teaching deeper meaning)

Isaiah 41:19–20 (KJV 1900)

19         I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together:

20         That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, That the hand of the Lord hath done this, And the Holy One of Israel hath created it.

1. The locations in Scripture that are called wilderness, and the desert are two separate descriptions.

2. Wilderness has limited water within it. It is typologically representative of the “World” where the “Worldly” dwell.

3. Desert has no water. The Grace of the LORD God is not present. Common worldly life cannot survive.

4. The cedar tree, shittah tree, myrtle tree, and oil tree are planted in the wilderness.

5. The fir tree, pine tree, and box tree are planted in the desert.

6. It is the LORD God that created the wilderness and desert, and He created the trees and planted them according to their type.

7. Trees represent the spiritual lives of men. Each tree has its own particular characteristics.

Teachings from Kathy L McFarland

My honorable, godly, mature Christian students: I am going to touch briefly on the areas of Wilderness and Desert. We will go a bit deep, but we will by no means cover the topic fully. That study will come at a later date.

A good rule to follow concerning the lands that are mentioned in Scripture are to consider the amount of “running water” available in those locations. If there is no running water, then there is no Grace or Word of God adequately present. Now each location must be examined carefully, but generally this rule works in our study of Scripture.

Further, another good rule is if there are worldly trees (unholy spiritual lives) gathered together, or a grove of trees planted by worldly people (as if they are trying to hide from God), then He is not close to these peoples. His Grace and His Word are missing.

Both the wilderness and desert are dry places. The wilderness, often filled with secular trees, man-made groves or dry growing plants has some water, but very little. The deserts are dry as a bone, except possibly for the hidden oasis. While a little water is available in desert oases scattered within in secluded and far-away places, the mostly sandy ground cannot sustain common life.

We know Scripture mentions both places, the wilderness, and the desert. That Jesus Christ traveled to these dry places and did His ministry, as well as grew closer to the LORD God, gives us a great deal of deepness in our studies that we will examine in detail someday. Suffice to say, if the Lord Jesus Christ is present, so is the Grace of God with the Word of God, and these rules can be thrown out the window. Amen?

The Wilderness

Wilderness – 4497 I. מִדְבָּר (miḏꞏbār): n.masc.; ≡ Str 4057; TWOT 399k—1. LN 1.86–1.87 desert, wasteland, barren wilderness, i.e., a relatively large tract of sparsely inhabited land, or virtually empty of habitation, a place providing little or no sustenance (Isa 42:11; Job 24:5; Jer 2:31); 2. LN 1.86–1.87 open land, i.e., large tract of open country or steppe land that is suitable for grazing (Ps 65:13[EB 12]; Jer 23:10; Joel 1:19, 20)[1]

Mark 1:9–13 (KJV 1900)

9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. 10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: 11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. 13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

8. Notice how there are numerous meanings for the Hebrew word of “wilderness.” It could mean sparsely inhabited land or an empty land. One that provides a little sustenance, or one that provides nothing. (For the most part, the writers of Scripture indicate through their descriptive words and settings whether it was a “wilderness” or a “desert” location; however, they also seem to interchange the words sometimes that makes it difficult for deep interpretation).

9. When you study Scripture deeply, it is important that you pay attention to location.

10. After the Baptism of Jesus, the Holy Spirit drove him into the wilderness. It was NOT the desert. It was the wilderness.

11. Jesus was tempted of Satan for forty days inside the wilderness.

12. As a result of this incident, we know that Satan is in the wilderness.

13. We learn that “wild beasts” are in the wilderness”

14. We know that angels can come down into the wilderness to minister to Christ.

Psalm 29:8–9 (KJV 1900)

8           The voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness;

The Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.

9           The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to calve,

And discovereth the forests: And in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.

Forest – 3623 I. יַעַר (yǎꞏʿǎr): n.masc.; ≡ Str 3264, 3293; TWOT 888, 889—1. LN 3.3 forest, woods, thicket, i.e., relatively large area that contains trees and brush (2Ki 2:24); 2. LN 1.95– 1.98 tree groves, i.e., a cultivated area of trees (SS 2:3), note: for another interp in Ps 29:9, see cj at 3627; for another interp in 1Sa 14:26, see 3624[2]

15. We understand that the voice of the LORD God can shake the wilderness

16. We learn that Kadesh is in the wilderness

17. Deer are in the wilderness, and the LORD God makes them reproduce

18. The LORD God discovers the forests in the wilderness.

19. That the LORD God “discovers” means that it is manmade. We know that even the worldly have “trees” for their spiritual lives that are unrighteous and against the LORD God. When they gather together in forests, they are establishing “groves” to hide from the LORD God.

Judges 3:7 (KJV 1900)

7 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and forgat the Lord their God, and served Baalim and the groves.

20. And we know that in the groves, false gods are worshipped.

Teachings of Kathy L McFarland

Are you getting the picture that the Holy Spirit is revealing? There are so many discoveries to be made about the difference between types of locations. One day we will study them in great detail, and you will be astounded. Today, we study the depth a bit, and it should excite you for the upcoming reveals!

Remember, the LORD God plants the cedar tree, shittah tree, myrtle tree, and oil tree in the wilderness. When He plants those trees, He roots them in the ground so they will survive.

The worldly people plant their own trees in the forest wilderness in groves.

The Desert

Desert – 6858 II. עֲרָבָה (ʿǎrāꞏḇā(h)): n.fem. [see also 6858.5]; ≡ Str 6160; TWOT 1688d—LN 1.86– 1.87 desert-plateau, steppe, wasteland, i.e., a desert-land area (Nu 22:1), note: it can refer to many different areas עֲרָבָה (ʿǎrāꞏḇā(h)): n.pr. [served by 6858]; ≡ Str 6160; TWOT 1688d—LN 93-place Arabah: a specific area of biblical land, i.e., the Rift Valley from the Sea of Galilee to the Red Sea (Jos 12:1), note: for MT text in Ps 68:5[EB 4], see 6265; note: for NIV text in 2Sa 17:16, see 6302[3]

Isaiah 48:20–22 (KJV 1900)

20         Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans,

With a voice of singing declare ye, tell this,

Utter it even to the end of the earth;

Say ye, The Lord hath redeemed his servant Jacob.

21         And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts:

He caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them:

He clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out.

22         There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked.

21. The LORD God redeemed his servant Jacob

22. When Jacob led Israel through the deserts, the LORD God caused waters to flow out of a rock for them by cleaving the rock, and allowing the waters to gush out

23. The LORD God will not do that in the desert for the wicked; they will have no peace.

Luke 1:80 (KJV 1900)

80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

24. John the Baptist was kept in the desert from the time of his birth until it came time for him to be shown to the Israelites. (Why? There are no groups of people in the desert that could know him).

Box Tree. KJV translation of a tree of uncertain identity in Isaiah 41:19 and 60:13, called “pine” in the RSV.[4],[5]

Box Tree (Pine, Elm , Cypress?) 9309 תְּאַשּׁוּר (teʾǎš∙šûr): n.fem.; ≡ Str 839, 8391; TWOT 183g— 1. LN 3.2–3.12 species of tree: (most versions) box tree; (Holladay, KB, NIV, NASB) cypress tree; (Tanakh) elm ; (RSV, NRSV, NAB) pine (Isa 41:19; 60:13+), note: Holladay, KB identify probably as acypress, Cupressus sempervirens; 2. LN 7.77–7.79 cypress wood, finished boards for boat deck (Eze 27:6 NIV+), note: see also domain LN 6.41–6.51; note: Eze 27:6 MT reads 892 or 898[6]

25. The Box Tree cannot be specifically defined through the sparse use of the name within Scripture.

Teachings of Kathy L McFarland

We will be able to describe location and make some informed conjectures of association. However, the lack of full disclosure of this type of tree makes it impossible to know the full spiritual character of this type of Believer in Christ. We will classify it under “Typology Known Probably.”

Now let’s contemplate and try to squeeze a bit more understanding of the Box Tree.

Isaiah 60:13–16 (KJV 1900)

13         The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee,

The fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together,

To beautify the place of my sanctuary;

And I will make the place of my feet glorious.

14         The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee;

And all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet;

And they shall call thee, The city of the Lord,

The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

15         Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated,

So that no man went through thee,

I will make thee an eternal excellency,

A joy of many generations.

16         Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles,

And shalt suck the breast of kings:

And thou shalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour

And thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.

26. The glory of Lebanon is the uniquely beautiful trees in the forests of Lebanon, especially the big cedars.

27. The cedar tree, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box tree are joined together. We know the cedar tree comes from the wilderness, and we know that fir tree, pine tree, and box tree come from the desert. And Scripture shows us that the wood from the cedar, fir, pine, and box come together for a very important purpose.

28. It should be noted that by Scripture NOT specifically naming the exact trees and instead declaring them as “the glory of Lebanon,” it might indicate that all the trees in the wilderness, such as shittah tree, myrtle tree, and oil tree, might be included. That would require a study of association in examining those trees with the construction of the sanctuary of God.

29. Regardless, our study is of the box tree, and we learn that when that desert tree is combined with the wilderness tree, it makes beautiful woods that bring beauty to the LORD God’s sanctuary. (I’ve included a bit more Scripture than we will work up today, so you can see everything in a bit of context; but we will not discuss this passage in depth).

The Box Tree is a spiritual life that stands in the midst of dryness. The location the Box Tree stands is empty of both worldly people and the flowing grace of the LORD God. Here stands the lonely Christian as a beacon for the uncommon seeker of God. Eventually, the Box Tree is combined with the other beautiful spiritual life souls that serve in the world and in the dry places and perform, coming together in the Sanctuary of the Lord. A possible identity of a Box Tree is a missionary that serves in extreme conditions with few common people, the lack of Christian presence and the lack of the movements of God.

Box Tree – Spiritual life that stands in the midst of dryness. The location the Box Tree stands is empty of both worldly people and the flowing grace of the LORD God. Here stands the lonely Christian as a beacon for the uncommon seeker of God. Eventually, the Box Tree is combined with the other beautiful spiritual life souls that serve in the world and in the dry places and perform ministry guided by the Holy Spirit and coming together in the Sanctuary of the Lord. A possible identity of a Box Tree is a missionary that serves in extreme conditions with few common people, the lack of Christian presence and the lack of the movements of God.

[1] James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997).

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, “Box Tree,” Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 376.

[6] Swanson

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