Scripture is full of imagery. God makes use of natural things that we are familiar with to illustrate and explain spiritual things. And when He does, He also provides in His Word definite statements to guard His Word from the misuse of imagery and types. Even though men are the instruments in the writing of it, all Scripture is God breathed—comes directly from Himself. It is “not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth.” So in this issue, God is going to use some trees, who are speaking to each other, to speak to us. Let’s listen.
“The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honor God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us. But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees? Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us. And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us” (Judg. 9:8-14).