Day 18 – Pine

(Pinus)

“And they found written in the law which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month: and that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.” Nehemiah 8:14-15 KJV

Nehemiah knew God wanted him to motivate the Hebrews to rebuild Jerusalem after it’s destruction during Israel’s exile. Through the construction phase and multiple obstacles, God had a bigger plan: the reforming of His people. They gathered just inside the Water Gate and requested the scribe Ezra to read God’s law, “and they found written in the law” God’s instructions as given to Moses when the nation first formed. This was pure, beautiful, and simple obedience as their attitude was that what God commanded, they will do.

From the whole law, the Sukkot is mentioned. Even though tradition did not tell them to keep the Feast of Tabernacles (it had not been done since the days of Joshua) they relied on God’s Word, not on tradition. This feast was to keep in remembrance how God blessed and provided for Israel during the Exodus, and they could see God’s blessing and provision for them in that moment – making something old seem brand new.

The instructions to construct the booths in which they would dwell included the gathering of branches from four specific trees – from which we already looked at three. The olive (endurance and unity in the Body of Christ), myrtle (live and fertility), and palm (flourishing and upright). So where does it leave the pine? The noble symbolism of reforming God’s people. Each tree is beautiful in its own symbolism, but together they are unique in glorifying God through the covenant of His Word and our obedience.

Prayer: Father, thank You that even though trees carry their own symbolism, it is strengthened when combined in Your Word giving it a greater symbolic meaning to glorify You. Thank You for Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles) so we can remember Your blessings and provision – from Exodus till today. Amen.

Love, Pastor Iriza