TREES – by Raphael ben Levi
“The story the Bible tells is in large part a tree story, as the bible both begins and ends with a Tree in paradise — and trees figure both practically and symbolically throughout its pages. Also the dividing-line between the messages of the Old and New Testaments, and the fulcrum of the ages, is a Tree — the tree on which the Messiah was crucified — for both Peter and Paul refer to the Messiah being “hanged on a tree” (Acts 5:30, 10:39; I Pet 2:24; and Gal 3:13 from Deut 21:23). The Messiah was made sin for us on this tree that he might in turn become a Tree of Life for those who look to him for salvation.” (Hope of Israel Ministries)
And then we have the event recorded in Scripture where Yeshua cursed a fig tree:“On the next day, when they had left Bethany, He was hungry. 13 Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if He would find anything on it. But He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 He said to it, “No one will ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening [to what He said].” (Mk.11:12-14)
Yeshua purposefully chose to prophetically illustrate the nation’s unfaithfulness (cf. Jer 7) with consequences leading to their exile to the farthest corners of the earth. 40 years later in 70AD, Jerusalem fell under the Romans, the Temple was destroyed and Israel as a nation (not as a people) withered.
Yeshua clearly understood that it was not the appointed time for the ‘fig tree’ to yield its fruit as recorded by the prophets, when Israel would recognise and turn to their Messiah. He illustrated this by cursing the fig tree.
Following the destruction of the 2nd Temple, the land became symbolically like a fig tree during winter, devoid of leaves, and fruit (i.e., its people) and things remained so for almost 2000 years until it began to bud once again. As had been prophesied in Scripture, Israel once more bore figs. The day was May 14,1948. The return of the Jews to their ancient heritage, after having been wanderers for nearly two thousand years, is one of the greatest miracles of our time.
When the fig tree begins to bear leaves, tiny green figs appear at the same time but they are not ready to harvest until 70 to 80 days later. This is significant for it confirms the time span of a generation as mentioned by Yeshua. If one applies this principle to the fruit cycle of the fig tree, we get a corresponding period of 70 to 80 years. (Ps.90:10)
From the time of its budding to when the ‘fruit’ will ripen (70 to 80 years) will be followed by the return of Yeshua with Israel’s recognition and acceptance of Him as Messiah. Yeshua made it clear that: “…this people (i.e. the last generation) will certainly not pass away before it has all happened.”.
No-one knows the day or hour of Yeshua’s return but He has clearly disclosed to us the season which, according to the fig tree parable, we are currently in.
