New Years is barely over when we start thinking of spring, when a young man's fancy turns--but that's another subject. Warm weather brings thoughts of gardening, relaxing in warm sunshine, watching the buds of trees start to expand, then burst into leaves and blossoms.

We celebrate Arbor Day, Tu Beshvat, New Year of Trees, whatever it's called, with a desire to do our part to replenish the earth. Our Maker, of course, was the creator of Arbor Day. As He spoke, trees appeared, full-grown and fruit bearing. Our first parents enjoyed the unblemished abundance of that original garden as they strolled through Eden with the Head Gardener. That was, no doubt, when He gave them dominion over the earth, taught them how to care for His creation, and warned them of the one area that was off limits-The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

How long this bliss continued, we are not told. But one evening, the man and woman were missing from their rendezvous. They finally crept out of their hiding place, draped with leaves they had picked off those trees. Shamefaced, they blamed one another for giving in to the temptation to take the one thing that was forbidden.

The caring God knew He could no longer trust them to tend His creation. The loving God also knew He could not let them live forever in those sin-stained bodies. So He banned them from the Garden, and closed the gate to the Tree of Life. But not before He had made provision for their livelihood outside the Garden, and had covered them with skins by killing some of His precious animals, symbol of the price their disobedience cost.¹

Ever since then, we are painfully aware of our damaged planet. Hence the need for Tikkun Olam - to repair the earth. So, on January 25th in Israel and April 29th in the US anyone can plant trees to replace those ruined by drought, insects, flood and people. The most famous tree-planting tradition is found in the Jewish community. Providing for a tree to be planted in Israel is a practical memorial for a departed loved one. Sometimes tree planting is a reason to celebrate a happy event, such as the birth of a child. Jewish children will use branches from their tree to form their Wedding Huppah. Besides planting trees, we enjoy eating the fruits of trees that may have been in the original garden-figs, nuts, dates, olives and pomegranates.

As we remember the first trees, and enjoy the present observances, we can look forward to the completion of the Tree Story. The prophet Isaiah foresaw the time when a man would be like a tree. He would be a twig out of the root of Jesse, king David's father. He would grow up as a tender plant or sapling. Then, in fulfillment of that symbol in the Garden of Eden, He would give His life in order to pay for the sins of the people. Their part would be to acknowledge their sin and trust in His sufficient payment. In fact, Jesus did die on a tree, fastened in the shape of a cross. After His resurrection, He returned to heaven, promising to come again.²

When He comes, He will rule in righteousness over a kingdom restored to Eden-like peace and abundance. The dessert will blossom as the rose and all the trees shall clap their hands for joy. All those who have believed in Him will be called "Trees of Righteousness."<sup>3


1</sup> Genesis, chapters 1-3.
² Isaiah, chapter 11, verse 1; 53:2-10; John 14:1-3
³ Isaiah 35:1; 55:12; 61:3

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