Knowing the past to see forward

   How many times have we heard about plants in the Bible? Probably many times, but most of those times we overlook those names because we don’t know the meaning associated with those plants. Today, we learned how important it is to consider these details. Out of all the things that we learned on our trip to Neot Kedumim, which means pleasant pastures, three plants stood out.

   The first one was the sycamore. This was the tree where Zacchaeus climbed to see Jesus. The spiritual meaning of this tree is very interesting. According to our tour guide, if this tree is cut from the bottom, it grows again. Hence, the fact that this tree was mentioned in the Bible used as a tool for an encounter with Jesus has a specific meaning, which is to be willing to change our life, to cut from the root everything that prevents us from having an encounter with Jesus, and to grow as a new person.

   Then, the Almond tree. The guide was sharing a story about this tree, she mentioned how the almond nut takes its time, about nine months, to be ready for harvest. The plant creates three layers in which each almond is secure inside so that predators will have a hard time getting it. The ancient people associated this plant with the moral life. For them the moral life was about being patient, and dedicating time and effort to cultivate the virtues.

   Finally, the hyssop. This plant represents modesty and humility. Hyssop is a common herb which grew in Bible times and still grows extensively today in many varieties all over the world. In "the old days"  before grocery-store shelves were lined with cleaning products for every conceivable need, people used nature's products. Hyssop was readily available, especially in the Middle East because it had detergent properties. It was widely used to clean sacred places such as temples. This plant is mentioned in Leviticus 14:1-8, during the cleansing ceremony for a leper. Besides this, It is used a sign of humility in Psalm 51:7: "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." This was a plea from King David to the Lord for forgiveness. He had sinned with Bathsheba and had been called to account for it by Nathan the prophet. Also, because of its strong woody stalks it was used to dip in the basin of blood of the Passover lamb to apply to the lintel and doorpost before the Israelites left Egypt. (Exodus 12:22) Perhaps because through modesty they would be marked as God’s people and inherit the promised land. Finally, In John 19:29, hyssop was used at the crucifixion. "Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth." This verse shows how modesty and humility were also with Christ at the crucifixion.

   Understanding what is associated with these plants, among other things that we learned, helped us to see a deeper meaning in the Bible stories. This meaning brought a spiritual awareness to those details that we read in the Bible and are overlooked sometimes. This experience reminded us how the Bible is filled with much spiritual richness.