Clues

In casual reading, it is easy to read over a word or phrase we consider unimportant. Because of that tendency, mystery writers can place in a story a trail of clues some readers miss. A coffee cup on someone’s left side doesn’t seem important until later when the killer is revealed to be left-handed. Or, it may seem irrelevant that a character worked as an actor at a dinner theater while in college, until he hides his identity by pretending to be someone else. A skilled writer clearly plants important clues, but only astute readers see them.

Often we miss important points in the Bible because we fail to see some of the details.

 

I had seen the phrase “Cedars of Lebanon” numerous times in the Bible without giving it much thought. Then I read a comment from Oswald Chambers (Devotions for a Deeper Life, November 30 reading) which referred to the hardiness of the cedars of Lebanon. He said, “the life within each tree is so strong and so robust that, instead of feeding the parasites, it chokes them off.” The thought prompted me to do a little research. I already knew cedar wood is desirable for use in decks, closets and storage chests because of its durability. I knew David’s and Solomon’s palaces and the Temple were constructed of cedar. I knew the characteristic aroma of cedar.

I learned cedar is especially resistant to bugs, decay, and disease. A Lebanon cedar typically grows forty to sixty feet tall, but can grow up to a hundred and twenty feet or more. It develops a massive trunk of sixty to seventy feet around. Such a large tree provides abundant shade. A hundred feet of shade, side to side, is not unusual.

The phrase, cedars of Lebanon, scattered through the Bible, usually depicts strength and stability. Some of the adjectives used are tall, graceful, beautiful, spreading, fragrant, and strong. The Bible tells of using cedar wood to build masts of ships and make chariots.

God planted the cedars of Lebanon (Psalm 104:16). The majesty of the trees points to the power and majesty of Christ. And it also points to what God wants to do in us. The Lord spoke through Hosea, saying God would be like a refreshing dew from heaven, and Israel would have deep roots, like the cedars of Lebanon. His people would live under His shade, and flourish (Hosea 14:5-7).

Oswald Chambers spoke of believers being so filled with God’s life that we would flourish spiritually. Such flourishing enables us to serve Him well. When believers are filled with God’s Spirit, spiritual parasites, such as doubt, discouragement and despair are choked out.

God doesn’t waste words. Every word in the Bible is important. The details carry meaning, though we may miss the significance of them.

God leaves clues all through Scripture. We should pay attention. When we do, we grow in our understanding of who He is, and who He calls us to be.

But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. Psalm 92:12 NLT

 

What are your thoughts? What details has God brought to your attention? Please leave a comment below.

Blessings,
Phyllis

Photo by Tim Broadbent on Unsplash

Copyright 2023 Phyllis L. Farringer