THE DRY TREE SHALL FLOURISH

And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the LORD, have brought down the high tree and exalted the low tree, dried up the green tree and made the DRY TREE FLOURISH; I, the LORD, have spoken and have done it – Ezekiel 17:24

The Almighty God has power over all things, including the power to cause the DRY TREE TO FLOURISH! According to Ezekiel the prophet, every tree of the forest is subject to God’s command. He brought down the high tree from its prideful height. He exalted the low tree from the place of humility. He dried up the green tree in its self-conceit, and made the dry tree to flourish. These revelations were encoded in a divine riddle that the LORD inspired through His servant. The high tree is the proud, elevated tree. High trees symbolize powerful, arrogant, haughty, and exceedingly proud people. God always brings down the proud. The low trees represent humble or lowly people. The green trees symbolise people who flourish with their worldly wealth; while dry trees represent dried up or hopeless people. The field represents the world or earth, more like the inhabitants of the world (Mt.13:38). In a sense, the analogy of the trees of the field contrasts the destiny of the withering kingdoms of the world with the flourishing Kingdom of God.

Scripturally, trees often symbolize people. The blind man who Jesus healed said: “I see men like trees, walking” (Mk.8:24b). The two end-time witnesses in Revelation 11:4 are described as “the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.” Zechariah portrayed the same two witnesses as “olive trees” (Zech.4:11-14). In few instances, trees are ascribed personal attributes such as singing or clapping: “then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy” (Psa.96:12); “and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands” (Isa.55:12b). In this specific context, Bible scholars assume the high tree to refer either to Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon or to the dethroned King Jehoiachin, who ruled Judah for three months and ten days in the midst of the Chaldean invasion, and was taken captive to Babylon (2Chr.36:9). The low tree was Zedekiah, Jehoiachin’s brother, who was put in his place. He was also the green tree that dried up: he had numerous children, all of whom were slain before his eyes at Riblah (2Kgs.25:7).

The dry tree that flourished represents the Jews and how God raised up Jesus – a rod out of the stem of Jesse – the family of David being then apparently dried up and extinct. This was the promised Messiah: “Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this” (Isa. 9:7). The essence of this parable is that only the Lord can promote and demote anyone. Enduring prosperity, promotion, success, riches, and wealth come from the Lord and not from men. “Whoever exalts himself (with haughtiness and empty pride) shall be humbled (brought low), and whoever humbles himself (whoever has a modest opinion of himself and behaves accordingly) shall be raised to honor” (Mt.23:12 AMP). God elevates the humble person, but abases the proud and haughty: “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (Jam.4:10). “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1Pet.5:6).

The dry tree illustrates the soul that stands in absolute submission before God, emptied of self and of fleshly strength, waiting and trusting only in the impartation of heavenly moisture. To such a soul the Lord has given the promise of flourishing, by dropping His blessed dew, releasing His rains, and shedding His divine favour into the parched ground of the heart. He causes the soul to revive as the vine and the bones to “flourish as the herb” (Isa.66:14; Zech.8:12). To what extent do you acknowledge and appreciate God for every blessing and benefit you enjoy in Him – your promotion, prosperity, strength and success?