In the Bible, people are often referred to as trees, and the wicked are often categorized as grass or weeds. Before exploring the Bible, let’s take a look at grass versus trees.
Life cycle: Grass
Grasses generally spring up quickly and are at their full height in 6-8 weeks. They are very temperature sensitive. If the weather is not right, the seeds will not germinate. Also, the grass is sensitive to temperatures as it grows. Grass grows best in temperatures 70-90 degrees. Once temperatures reach above 95 degrees, the plant goes dormant. Many grasses cannot tolerate temperatures below 60 degrees. Once the daytime highs are consistently below 60 degrees, the grass dies and becomes dormant.
Grasses are also water dependent. If you do not water grass, it will die after 7-10 days of no water. Grasses have shallow roots and have little ability to pull water from deep soil reserves. Grasses also cannot tolerate too much water. If you receive an abundance of water or over-water the grass, it will drown and die.
With a shallow root system, grass is very susceptible to wind. The wind will pull up the grass and blow it away. The wind will also dry out the grass and cause it to wither.
In short, grasses are very water and temperature dependent. They cannot tolerate changes in their environment.
Life cycle: Trees
When a tree is trying to germinate, it too needs favorable conditions. It needs proper sunlight, water and temperatures. Once it germinate and grows, it becomes a sapling.
During the sapping phase (when the tree is less than 4 inches tall), the tree is very delicate. It has a shallow root system. Too much wind can uproot the sapling. Too much or too little water can kill the plant. Temperatures too cold can freeze the plant.
Once the tree has grown to be over 4 inches tall, it can start to pull water and nutrients from the soil. It has an advance root system. Wind and temperature variations have some effect of the young tree, but it is much more durable than the sapling.
Mature tree: This is a tree which has a fully developed root system, branches and bark. The tree can withstand extreme temperatures and water conditions. The root system is very deep meaning it can pull water for deep within the earth. Mature trees live decades to centuries in this phase. They are strong, sturdy and are at little risk from dying from temperatures being too cold or too hot.
Grass versus trees
Grasses are extremely vulnerable during its entire lifecycle. It takes just 6-8 weeks to reach maturity. Grasses have a lifespan of a few months. After which, they will go to seed and die. If the environment is favorable, the new seeds will germinate and being the process all over again.
Tress are also very unstable during the their early life. The seeds need a favorable environment to germinate. The sapling is very susceptible to wind, water and temperature. The young plant needs to be protected and cared for. Once the sapling becomes a young tree, the tree is much sturdier and needs very little care. Once the tree becomes mature, the tree can live decades to centuries. When God refers to people being righteous, they are called mature trees and/or cedars of Lebanon.
Cedars of Lebanon
The cedars of Lebanon are a tree species in the pine family. They are native to the mountains of the eastern Mediterranean basin. They are endemic to Turkey, Syria and Lebanon. However, they have been transplanted all around the world. They are widely used as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens.
Cedars of Lebanon can reach 130 feet in height and can be up to 8 feet 2 aches in diameter.
The cedar of Lebanon is the national emblem of Lebanon. It is displayed on Lebanon’s national flag and on its coat of arms. It is also the logo for Middle East Airlines, which is Lebanon’s national carrier.
Cedar wood is prized for its fine grain, attractive yellow color and fragrance. It is exceptionally durable and immune to insect infestations. Wood from the cedars of Lebanon are used for furniture, construction and handicrafts. Cedar resin and cedar essential oil are prized extracts from the timber and cones of the cedar trees.
Cedars of Lebanon in the Bible
There are many places the cedars of Lebanon are mentioned in the Bible. It states in Psalm 104 that God planted the cedars of Lebanon. Psalm 104 is a praise about how God cares for all the earth.
16The trees of the Lord drink their fill,
The cedars of Lebanon which He planted,
17Where the birds build their nests,
And the stork, whose home is the fir trees. (Psalm 104:16-17)
Cedars were known to be a sign of luxury and wealth. David uses cedars to build his palace.
11Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees and carpenters and stonemasons; and they built a house for David. 12And David realized that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel. (2 Samuel 5:11-12)
Cedars of Lebanon are most notably used in the construction of the both the first and second temples.
Cedars of Lebanon used in the construction of the first temple
1Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon, when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram had always been a friend of David. 2Then Solomon sent word to Hiram, saying, 3“You know that David my father was unable to build a house for the name of the Lord his God because of the wars which surrounded him, until the Lord put them under the soles of his feet. 4But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary nor misfortune. 5Behold, I intend to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord spoke to David my father, saying, ‘Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, he will build the house for My name.’ 6Now therefore, command that they cut for me cedars from Lebanon, and my servants will be with your servants; and I will give you wages for your servants according to all that you say, for you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians.”
7When Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly and said, “Blessed be the Lord today, who has given to David a wise son over this great people.” 8So Hiram sent word to Solomon, saying, “I have heard the message which you have sent me; I will do what you desire concerning the cedar and cypress timber. 9My servants will bring them down from Lebanon to the sea; and I will make them into rafts to go by sea to the place where you direct me, and I will have them broken up there, and you shall carry them away. Then you shall accomplish my desire by giving food to my household.” 10So Hiram gave Solomon as much as he desired of the cedar and cypress timber. (1 Kings 5:1-10)
Cedars of Lebanon are used in the construction of the second temple
1Now when the seventh month came, and the sons of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered together as one man to Jerusalem. 2Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brothers the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and his brothers arose and built the altar of the God of Israel to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the law of Moses, the man of God. 3So they set up the altar on its foundation, for they were terrified because of the peoples of the lands; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, burnt offerings morning and evening.
4They celebrated the Feast of Booths, as it is written, and offered the fixed number of burnt offerings daily, according to the ordinance, as each day required; 5and afterward there was a continual burnt offering, also for the new moons and for all the fixed festivals of the Lord that were consecrated, and from everyone who offered a freewill offering to the Lord.
6From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord, but the foundation of the temple of the Lord had not been laid. 7Then they gave money to the masons and carpenters, and food, drink and oil to the Sidonians and to the Tyrians, to bring cedar wood from Lebanon to the sea at Joppa, according to the permission they had from Cyrus king of Persia. (Ezra 3:1-7)
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