Throughout the Scriptures, we find that people are likened unto "trees." Hence, there are "trees" which depict the righteous, and there are those which depict the wicked.

 

As our opening quote designates, there are those who "take root in the earth" and those who are "rooted in Christ."

 

 

Are you deriving all of your satisfaction and comfort from earthly or worldly things or strictly from Christ Jesus? The source of your strength will - in turn - determine whether or not you are spiritually alive or dead - fruitful or barren.  

 

In Proverbs 11:30, Solomon told us  - "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise."

 

In other words, the righteous - those who are truly "rooted in Christ" - are a "tree of life" to all in their midst. They are indeed a blessing - supporting and nourishing others with "fruits" of healing and comfort. Through the wisdom of the Word of God, they turn many to righteousness and reclaim the backsliders.

 

Psalm 92:12 tells us that they "flourish like the palm tree" and "grow like a cedar in Lebanon." They are so full of the Life of God. Everywhere they go, they "flourish" and "grow"... "flourish" and "grow." No matter where God plants them, they "flourish" and "grow." No matter what kind of fiery trials they face - depicted by the "heat of summer" - they continue to "flourish" and "grow." What is the secret of their spiritual prosperity? They happen to be "rooted in Christ."

 

 

 

Psalm 52:8 - "But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever."

Jeremiah 11:16 - "The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit..."

 

As we have already mentioned, the "fruit" of a tree determines the quality of the tree. If the "tree" is "good," it will produce "good fruit." If it is "corrupt," it will bring forth "corrupt fruit."

 

But, using these particular Scriptures as a basis for study, we would like to consider the fruitfulness of the righteous versus the barrenness of the wicked. Remember, it is the Christian who is "rooted in Christ," who manifests Eternal and Abundant Life to others while the sinner - who has his roots in the world - has nothing to offer but death. 

 

This is clearly seen in the contrast between the "green olive tree" and the "green bay tree." Both trees are planted, rooted, fair, and flourishing. However, as much as the "green bay tree" has an abundance of large leaves, it bears absolutely no fruit. In contrast, the Scriptures point out that it is the "green olive tree" which bears "goodly" or shapely "fruit."

 

Both of these trees symbolize prosperity - for the wicked it is short-lived while that of the righteous is everlasting.

 

 

Isaiah 61:3 - "...that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified."

Isaiah 1:30 - "For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth..."

 

Both of these Scriptures are dealing with an "oak" tree. However, there is a marked difference between the two.

 

Their particular context illustrates that the "trees of righteousness" are those who are distinguished for their righteousness, holiness, purity, uprightness, or integrity. They are vigorous and strong. Like the lofty and magnificent oak, they spread forth their branches far and wide. Their life comes from the fact that they are "the planting of the LORD."

 

On the other hand, the other "oak" depicts a people who have trusted in idols and leaned to the arm of the flesh rather than depending on the Living God. Resultantly, it is pictured as being withered, blasted, stripped, and barren of all life - "whose leaf fadeth." What a striking image to depict a people who are abandoned by God for their idolatry!   

 

 

Psalm 1:3 - "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."

Job 29:19 - "My root was spread out by the waters..."

 

Jude 1:12 - "...trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots."

Job 5:3 - "I have seen the foolish taking root; but suddenly I cursed his habitation."

Job 8:17 - "His roots are wrapped about the heap, and seeth the place of stones."

Job 18:16 - "His roots shall be dried up beneath..."

Isaiah 5:24 - "...so their root shall be as rottenness..."

Malachi 4:1 - "For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble...it shall leave them neither root nor branch."

 

As already mentioned, the "root" of the "tree" is comparable to the heart.

In these particular Scriptures, we see several different conditions of the heart.

 

Both David and Job mentioned how their lives - depicted by "trees" - were "planted by the rivers of water" and "spread out by the waters." Using picturesque language, they were stating that their confidence and dependence was on the Lord and His Word. Consequently, they were planted in the very best of soils, firmly fixed, strong and vigorous, full of life, fruitful, and never experiencing any death - "his leaf also shall not wither."

 

However, when we examine the "trees" whose roots were not "planted by the rivers of water," we find an entirely different picture.

 

We find "trees" -

...who "took root" but were suddenly brought to nothing

...whose roots were wrapped around stones but withered because they found no deepness of earth

...whose roots were "dried up" - depicting utter destruction

...whose roots were rotten and decayed through sin

...whose roots were entirely pulled up - leaving no hope for life to be restored. 

 

Once again, we repeat The Lord Jesus' words of admonition to us - "Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit."  

 

The "tree" of our lives will be "good" or "corrupt" based on the soil in which our "roots" are planted. If we are "rooted in Christ" or "planted by the rivers of water," then we will be sure to bring forth "fruit" - good works - in the "good times" as well as in the "bad times." However, if we are rooted in this world - whereby our confidence is in ourselves or earthly things - then we will suffer loss and destruction. We will have no "fruit," our "leaf" will fade, and our roots will be rotten, decayed, or utterly plucked up - leaving us "twice dead."