The Cedars of Lebanon

Cedar of Lebanon

'The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, "The Lord is upright; He is my rock and there is no wickedness in him." ' Psalms 92:12-15

The Cedar of Lebanon is a strong tree with deep roots and extensive foliage. The wood is durable, gives out a strong pleasant aroma and is much sought after for timber since ancient times. The Bible described the cedars as strong and durable (Isaiah 9:10), graceful and beautiful (Psalms 80:10), high and tall (Amos 2:9), and fragrant (Song of Songs 4:11).

Its aromatic wood is used for buildings, notably the temple of Solomon and the palaces of King David and King Solomon.

The Bible said that this cedar tree is planted by God.

'The trees of the Lord are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon which He planted.' Psalms 104:16

The cedars of Lebanon has been used as a metaphor for growing old gracefully. Indeed the Pasir Panjang Hill Brethren Church's senior generation ministry used Psalms 92:12-15 to describe their group. These verses tell of longevity and vitality in old age. 

Many of us take this to be promises of strong physical health. Yet the reality is that as we grow old, our bodies become frail and disease set in. Our bodies weaken and we are no longer as strong as we used to be. 

While it is true that the Lord will remain our strength and shield in old age, I learned that the descriptive qualities of the Cedars of Lebanon refers to our spiritual selves; more so than our physical bodies. 

How will we prosper in old age? The elder generations will possess and show the following attributes: 

• Abiding Witness and Testimony. The righteous man and woman will be like the cedars with abundant foliage and spreading branches. They will flourish in the courts of the Lord, witnesses of Jesus Christ.

'Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on His law day and night.' Psalm 1:1-2

• Firmly Planted Faith. The roots of the cedars run very deep underground. These roots sustain the formidable tall tree. Deep roots represent deep faith, unshakeable and immovable. 

'So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing that you do for the Lord is ever useless.' 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NLT)

•  Abundant Fruitfulness. In the silver years, the lives and testimony of faithful elders will bear much fruit and yield good results.

 'That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit is season and whose leaf does not wither - what ever they do prospers.' Psalm 1:3

And so the Cedars of Lebanon bear witness to our spiritual strength and fortitude in old age. God himself planted and continue to tend us.

'This is what the Sovereign Lord says, "I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. On the mountain heights of Israel, I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shades of its branches." ' Ezekiel 17:22-23 

Psalm 1 extols the man that the Lord plants. Blessed is the man. 

Blessed is the man

The man who does not walk

In the counsel of the wicked

Blessed is that man

He who rejects the way

Rejects the way of sin

And who turns away from scoffing

Blessed is that man

But his delight by day and night

Is the law of God almighty

He is like a tree

A tree that flourishes

Being planted by the water

Blessed is that man

He will bring forth fruit

His leaf will wither not

For in all he does he prospers

Blessed is the man

The wicked are not so

For they are like the chaff

Which the wind blows clean away

The wicked are not so

The wicked will not stand

On the judgement day

Nor belong to God's people

The wicked will not stand

But God knows the way

Of righteous man

And ungodly ways will perish

Lionel