In the second week of our Christmas series centered around the Christmas tree, Jesse Loew explores the significance of trees in the Bible, emphasizing their frequent mention and symbolic representation of profound spiritual truths. He looks at various biblical references to trees, from the Garden of Eden to Jesus’ parables and the ultimate symbol of the cross.
There are three very significant trees mentioned in the Bible: the Tree of Life, the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and the Tree of Death (the Cross). The Tree of Life, planted in the Garden of Eden, is seen as a source of everlasting life and is mentioned throughout the Bible, including in Psalms, Proverbs, and Revelation, where it symbolizes Christ and the promise of eternal life.
Conversely, the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil represents humanity’s fall into sin. Satan used this tree as a trap to cast humanity into a path of destruction, leading to blame-shifting and the need for repentance. The final tree is the crucifixion cross of Jesus, referred to as the Tree of Death, which provides redemption of humanity from sin and offers salvation.
The Bible starts out with two significant trees featured in the Garden of Eden
Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made. The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Genesis 2:8-9
The Tree of Life
Then the Lord God said, “Look, the human beings have become like us, knowing both good and evil. What if they reach out, take fruit from the tree of life, and eat it? Then they will live forever!” So the Lord God banished them from the Garden of Eden, and he sent Adam out to cultivate the ground from which he had been made. After sending them out, the Lord God stationed mighty cherubim to the east of the Garden of Eden. And he placed a flaming sword that flashed back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life. Genesis 3:22-24
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:1-3
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed. Proverbs 3:18
The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends. Proverbs 11:30
Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22: 1-5
Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil
The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Genesis 2:9
Tree of Death – The Cross
The Cross is referred to as a tree frequently
But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:13-14 (Reference to Deuteronomy 21:22-23)
who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 1 Peter 2:24 (NKJV)
Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7 (Message to the Church at Ephesus)
Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:1-5
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