Acacia aka Shittah

Acacia Tree. Cairo, Egypt 2014

Shittim Wood

Jehovah specified that acacia wood (shittah) be used to construct the Tabernacle, as well as certain items within it. He said, "they shall make an ark of shittim wood" and "staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold" and "thou shalt make a table of shittim wood" including boards, bars, pillars, the altar and its staves (Ex. 25: 10, 13, 23, 28; 26: 15, 26, 32; 27:6).  Shittim wood is impressively hard, durable and closely grained. Today, its orange-brown color is highly favored in cabinet work. The greek word for shittah tree means "not liable to rot," emphasizing the wood's enduring qualities. Shittim was also a location. As Joshua was leading the children of Israel, he "sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly" on the city of Jericho (Joshua 2:1). Later, "he rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan (Joshua 3:1). 

Lord of the Vineyard

Lord of the Vineyard

The scriptures are rich with stories, metaphors, and parables that refer to God as "Lord of the Vineyard," or "Master of the Vineyard." In the fifth chapter of Jacob, such references are used thirty-five times. Alma's conclusive statement "we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyard of the Lord" clearly identifies God as the vineyard's master (Alma 28:14). And, the Lord, himself said "I will bless all those who labor in my vineyard with a mighty blessing" (D&C 21:9). 
But, what is the symbolic meaning of the vineyard? Isaiah explained that "the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel" (Isaiah 5:7; 2 Nephi 15:7). Jacob said, "the things which this prophet Zenos spake,concerning the house of Israel...must surely come to pass" (Jacob 6:1).
Through the many verses about vineyards, we we see how God demonstrates his care and concern for his covenant people.  

God and Essential Oils

Pure Olive Oil #3573

     Throughout the ages, the Lord has insisted upon the finest quality items in his temples and ordinances. Oils are no exception. He instructed Moses, “Command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light” of the tabernacle. He said “it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel” (Exodus 27:20,21).  Anciently, pure oil was also used or anointing, mixing with various offerings, medicines, burial preparations, cooking, cosmetics, soaps and perfumes. Oils were valuable commercial and trade products.  God has always known and understood the value of precious, essential oils.

Pistachio: Gifts for a Mighty Ruler

     Pistachio are drought-tolerant trees that grow up to 30 ft. The edible part is the seed, a nut encapsulated in an oblong shell that splits open as the seed ripens. Pistachio nuts have been valued since the earliest times. 
     When Jacob's sons encountered the mighty ruler, Joseph, they did not recognize him as their long, lost brother. But, Joseph knew them. He commanded that they return with their youngest brother, Benjamin, saying, "Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you" (Gen. 43:3). Jacob hoped to appease the powerful Egyptian ruler by telling his sons to take gifts "of the best fruits of the land...to carry down the man a present...myrrh, nuts (which botanists believe were pistachios) and almonds" (Gen. 43:11). 
     Later, when Joseph heard that his entire family was on their way to Egypt, he was so excited to see them that he "went up to meet Israel [Jacob] his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him: and he fell on his neck, and wept," for joy (Gen. 46:29).

Pistachio Nuts

      

Bitter Herbs

     When the Lord instructed the children of Israel to "eat the flesh [of the sacrificial lamb] that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat" the Passover meal as a token of obedience, he also explained its significance (Exodus 12:8). He said "this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations," to commemorate the passing over of the destroying angel, when He delivered them from the Egyptians (Exodus 12:14; Numbers 9:11). 
     Because herbs are soft, perishable plants no remains have conclusively identified the bitter herbs they ate. However, native plants and the time period of the Passover provide a list of probable candidates. Among the contenders is chicory.
      Chicory is a common perennial herb with blue flowers. Some consider it a weed. It grows along roadsides, and thrives in poor soils. The roots were baked, then ground into drinks. When incised, chicory produces a milky substance. It is regarded as a treatment for worms and intestinal parasites (Web; Wiki, chicory).  

Chicory #1603

 
      

Small Beginnings, Exponential Growth

     Jesus gave a parable comparing the beginning of his kingdom to a tiny mustard seed. That individual seed was so small and common that it seemed to be worthless. Its minuscule proportions were even more exaggerated when it was sown in a field.  But, it grew.  In fact, it grew so large that Matthew recorded it became a tree (Matthew 13:31-32). Luke said "it grew, and waxed a great tree" (Luke 13:19). Its growth was so significant that birds could rest among its branches and find shelter beneath them. Like Jesus's mustard plant, his kingdom would experience exponential growth. It would become a powerful force. Wilford Woodruff prophesied, "it will fill the world" (TPC: Joseph Smith, 137). Today, we see those prophecies being fulfilled. The gospel of Jesus Christ is spreading across every corner of the earth.

Mustard Seed

Fig and First

•      Fig are the first plants mentioned by name in the Bible. After Adam and Eve ate fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, "the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons" (Gen. 3:7).  By this we know that fig trees grew in the Garden of Eden. A unique feature of fig is that their rich green, palm-shaped leaves emerge in late spring or early summer, well after its fruit is already maturing. 

Fig leaf. #7734. Taken in Jerusalem May 2014. (Gen. 3:7).

Jesus and a Mock Septer

     The Roman soldiers’ cruelty toward Jesus, included humiliation and torture. Matthew says they “put a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him.” Mark says “they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees, worshipped him” in sarcastic mockery (Matthew 27:29 ; Mark 15:19). The reed was a derisive symbol of a royal scepter.

Matthew 27:29
 

Reach for the Son

Ever noticed how house plants become lopsided as they reach for the sunny window, needing to be rotated from time to time? This process of orienting themselves to sunlight is called phototropism. Like plants, the faithful reach for their true source of light, Jesus Christ. He said "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12).


Phototropism: Plants reaching for the sun

 

Perfect Love

The mock crown of thorns forced deep into Jesus’s scalp, signifies the most reprehensible reference to plants in holy writ. And, whomever fashioned those razor-sharp branches would certainly have experienced his own share of bloody encounters. Thick gloves would not have provided sufficient protection. Yet there was no vengeance in our Lord. Nephi said “They scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, and they spit upon him, and he suffereth it” (1 Nephi 19:9). Why did the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob yield himself into the hands of wicked men, and then turn around and pray for his tormentors? Nephi said, “because of his loving kindness” (9).  John taught, “God so loved the world, that he gave is only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). His love was perfect.  

God so loved the world...

Happy New Year Fireworks!

Pansies are not mentioned in scriptures. But, these bright little blossoms remind me of fireworks exploding on a starry night!