19-20 It’s certainly possible to say, “Other branches were pruned so that Icould be grafted in!” Well and good. But they were pruned because they were deadwood, no longer connected by belief and commitment to the root. The only reason you’re on the tree is because your graft “took” when you believed, and because you’re connected to that belief-nurturing root. So don’t get cocky and strut your branch. Be humbly mindful of the root that keeps you lithe and green.
Really good analogy. Funny how the bible is full of them. The Jewish community are the tree. Some of the branches are dead (people have turned away from God), those branches are pruned and new ones are grafted in (that's us. The non-jewish community)
Interesting how trees play such a prominent role in the bible. They come up a lot. The tree of life. The tree of knowledge. The trees roots being connected to a water source. The trees not bearing fruit. So on, and so on.
tp
funny i was reading from the NIV but picked out the same verses
ReplyDelete19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.
I'm not sure I really ever followed this before or at least it didn't resonate so clearly with me as it does now that we have been through the entire bible. The space made by his chosen ones stumbling to bring the whole world into the fold. But also that everyone's position is precarious, we need faith not our own works to survive.
yes the analogies with trees does come into play alot. did he create trees to be a tool for him to use to teach us? hmmm. at our church we talk about being rooted in scripture.
knut