THE trees of the Bible are more or less connected with the different ages or dispensations of this world. There were two trees connected with the first period of the world's history. What those two trees were every Bible student knows. But how long this period lasted-what length of time Adam dwelt in the fair and beauteous scene, where the refreshing rivers watered the garden of delights, wherein God placed our first parents -no one knows. This "Morning of Innocence," as it has been aptly termed, was, alas! very soon darkened by a great cloud, which has ever since hung over this scene in which we find ourselves.
One of these two trees, called the "Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil," which God placed in the Garden of Eden, He commanded Adam not to taste. This prohibition was given to show that God was Creator, and Adam the creature; and that, as Creator, God had a perfect right to command, and that Adam's happiness consisted in unquestioning obedience. “Of every tree "—yes, “of every tree”!—except this one, Adam could freely eat. This one only was kept from him. You well know the story. The serpent tempted, Eve listened and partook of the fruit, Adam hearkened to his now guilty wife, and also ate of the forbidden tree, and by this act of disobedience they both forfeited their innocent and happy condition, and consequently were driven from their home of delights God had said, " In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."
The "Tree of Life," which God had placed in the midst of the garden, was also lost to them: Adam and his wife were shut out of the earthly paradise forever. But do we not hear again of the Tree of Life? Yes, we do, but not as blooming in an earthly Eden, but in the paradise of God.
You ask, Was there no way back to the fair scene from which our first parents were expelled? No! A flaming sword of judgment turned every way, and the bright cherubim, executors of that judgment, guarded the approach to the Garden of Eden.
This has a voice for all, telling us that happiness, in the state of innocence, having been forfeited by man's disobedience, can never be regained. But if there is no return to paradise on earth, the grace of God has super abounded, and His own paradise is now opened to all who turn to Him.
Do you ask, How was it that Adam and Eve were shut out of Eden, and not allowed to eat of the Tree of Life? It was mercy; for had they eaten of that tree in their fallen condition they would have had to live on earth a life of misery forever away from God.
The next period in Bible history commences with THORNS. How aptly these set forth a period of lawlessness you will see by tracing the references to them through Scripture.
There are eight different Hebrew words used in the Bible for thorns, but they are all derived from one root, which signifies “to fret," " to wound," or “to tear."
Thorns came upon the earth at the fall—thorns were entwined around the head of the Lord Jesus Christ, when He was about to die for us—and when He comes to reign, "The sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away." (2 Sam. 23: 6).
The plant which is supposed to have furnished the thorns for the Saviour's crown is called nabka by the Arabs. A plant more suited for this purpose could not be found, for it is literally covered with thorns; its branches are supple and pliant, and its leaf of a deep green color, like that of our ivy.
It is supposed that this plant was chosen in order to add insult to cruelty, for it resembles the ivy, which was used to crown emperors and warriors.
Thorns are connected with a period of time, lasting a great many years, during which man was left to his own lawless and unrestrained will, without check. And violence and corruption filled the earth.
After the two trees of the Garden of Eden, so familiar to us all, and which are associated with the time of innocence on the earth, we have the time characterized, by thorns and thistles, and by violence and lawlessness. May each of our dear young friends have found in Christ the Life, and be saved from sin through Him. H. N.