FLOURISH LIKE THE CEDAR

As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as CEDAR TREES beside the waters – Numbers 24:6

God wants His children to grow and FLOURISH, not only like the palm tree, but also like a CEDAR in Lebanon: “The righteous shall FLOURISH like the palm tree; He shall GROW like a CEDAR in Lebanon” (Psa. 92:12). Believers have been compared to beautifully refreshing palm trees and stately strong cedars, even like those of Lebanon! Both trees – the palm and the cedar – are known for vitality in old age! The Hebrew word, “grow” (sagah) means: to enlarge – especially upward; to grow up; to increase. The Amplified Bible says that the righteous shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon – majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible! The cedars of Lebanon were particularly large and of the best quality. The words cedar, cedars or cedar wood are found nearly 80 times in the Bible, and Cedar trees were very significant in Bible days. Their strong, beautiful wood was used to build very important and stately buildings, such as temples and palaces. Indeed, Cedar trees have been very important to humans for thousands of years. Their wood was used to build buildings, canoes and boats, and other useful items. Their bark was used to make blankets and coverings.

There are other peculiar qualities of Cedar trees that illustrate the uniqueness of the Righteous in Christ, namely:

• Cedars are large, evergreen trees, which live a very long time and grow very sturdy and tall. They usually grow to a height of 15 meters, but some grow 24 to 30 or 36 meters tall and can be 9-12 meters around the trunk – solid, strong, and immovable.
• Cedar trees are common in forest areas that have a good deal of annual rainfall.
• Cedar trees can live a long time, because the moist habitat they enjoy is relatively free of fire. Some are supposed to be 1,000 years old! The older they get, the better they become!
• The wood of Cedar trees is durable and very resistant to disease.
• Cedar wood has a very pleasant smell, which comes from natural oils in the wood that are toxic to insects and fungus.
• Cedar wood is also an excellent source of fuel.

The noun “cedar” (erez) means “to be firm!” The cedar lives up to its name! It can grow up to 45 meters in height! Firm and stable too! Cedar wood is durable! Cedar wood is fragrant! Cedar wood is functional and useful, especially in the building industry! Each of these traits “fits” the saints of God! These honourable “Cedar Christians” are solid, stable and immovable. Cedars express the ideas of durability, incorruptibility, stability, and majesty. The uncompromisingly righteous grows up like a cedar in Lebanon – incorruptible, solid, stable, useful, and majestic. In the face of challenges, they keep on going and keep on growing. They endure through times and seasons of life. They have resisted the onslaught of sin, devils and demons. They have withstood sickness and disease. They only improve and never degenerate with age. They are clothed with strength and dignity. They will stand before kings and be held in honor. The righteous are upright, strong, and unmoved by the adverse winds of circumstances and situations.

Balaam was commissioned by Balak to curse Israel, but all he could do was to bless Israel. In doing so, he compared the lovely tents of Jacob and the dwellings of Israel to:  “…CEDARS beside the waters” (Num.24:5-6). The Cedar tree is a Dominion Tree: “Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion…” (v.19a). Balaam declared: ““For there is no sorcery against Jacob, nor any divination against Israel. It now must be said of Jacob and of Israel, ‘Oh, what God has done!’” (Num.23:23). The Cedar displays strength to stand and vitality of life! The Cedar-like Believer keeps on growing. Growing has become a habit! It's now in their new nature! As you place your faith firmly in God, then you too can experience and enjoy ‘Cedar-like’ strength and vitality which will only get better with age!