Cedar Tree

Cedar Tree

The cedar tree of Lebanon, forms an interesting object in holy Scripture, and merits attention. The tree itself seems, for majesty and beauty, to take place of every other among the trees of the forest. Its branches are wide and spreading. They begin to form themselves nearly from the ground, and stretch forth on each side. The tree itself is an evergreen, and sheds forth a gummy substance, which is said to contain many salutary qualities. The wood of it formed a part in the service of the cleansing of the leper. (See  Leviticus 14:4) One of the kings of Israel called himself by the name of the Cedar of Lebanon,  2 Kings 14:9. The church, or Christ for the church, when celebrating the beauties and glories of their habitation, compares the beams of it to cedar. ( Song of Song of Solomon 1:17) And the state of individual believers in the church is more than once spoken of, as resembled by the flourishing nature of the cedar of Lebanon. ( Psalms 92:12; Psa 104:16) The Hebrews called it Tashur, which the Septuagint rendered cedar. There is somewhat very interesting in such representations of the Lord's inheritance, when by figure and similitude we are sent, by God the Holy Ghost, to the loveliest objects in nature to form our views of the Lord's pleasure and delight, which he taketh in his people. Taught by such an infallible Teacher methinks I would never read of the Cedar of Lebanon, without connecting with it some sweet resemblance to be discovered in his people, which he saith himself are the branch of his planting, and which are so, that they might be called trees of righteousness, "the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified." ( Isaiah 60:21; Isa 61:3) And if Jesus himself, be in the view of Jehovah, and in his church's view, "the plant of renown," ( Ezekiel 34:29) surely, it is blessed to know, that the church is in Jesus's view, the Cedar of Lebanon. And in how many ways do they bear resemblance to the glory of Lebanon, when made comely, from the comliness Jesus puts upon them! Is there any tree of the wood so graceful, or so lovely, as the Cedar of Lebanon? Neither is there any lily among the thorns so fair, and white, and fragrant, as Jesus's love is among the daughters. ( Song of Song of Solomon 2:2) Do any trees out-top the Cedar of Lebanon, spread wider, or cast their branches with more luxuriancy farther than this fair one? Neither do any grow more upright, extend their usefulness in equal direction for general good, as the disciples of the Lord. For though they are poor and mean in man's opinion, yet do they stand high in the esteem of Christ Jesus; and in the grace of the Lord, like the branches of the cedar, they spread forth, by faith, in every direction, and by rich experience in the divine life, manifest forth the loveliness of their high calling all around. And as the Cedar of Lebanon is deep-rooted, ever-green, and ever-fragrant, so believers in Christ are deep-rooted in him, always flourishing in him, however unprofitable in themselves; and as the prophet describes the church, "their branches shall spread, and their beauty be as the olive tree, and their smell like Lebanon." ( Hosea 14:6) Such, and many more of the like nature, open to our view, while considering the church in Jesus's esteem, as the Cedar of Lebanon. (See a lovely account of this,  Psalms 92:13-15)