Under the palm tree

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SPLASH POETRY EXTRA

The palm of Deborah

I’m still here with Deborah, quizzers Still enjoying my visit! Although I feel like staying , I know that sooner or later…I have to pack up and journey on: but with so many valuables!

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1.Introduction

I will never forget the lesson a colleague of mine taught our grade 7 learners during a prefect camp about the rush plant.

It was the second day of our prefect camp and it was her turn to start the day. She spoke to us about the ability of this plant to yield when a storm is raging and how it just bows until the storm is past and then returns to its upright position again. And she drew a parallel to the believer’s ability to submit to God in prayer when storms of life come. It was a few years ago now, but this image is still in my mind and as I started to practice it, it became a part of my spiritual discipline.

Nature displays a great deal of God and man and is used to teach valuable lessons through certain elements of nature. Nature also plays a huge role or…if I could say: carries an assignment for that specific region.For example : The area where I am currently live and teach, they used to make mats with rush plants to build traditional huts .This is the traditional huts of the nomadic Nama people and it forms a big percentage of their heritage and is also a tourist attraction.

And I came to the conclusion that :

In this post my focus is on the position of Deborah; the significance and fruitfulness (economy)of the palm tree and its connection the believer.

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2.Bible verses about palm trees

Key verses

“And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Beth-el in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.”Judges 4:5

“The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.”Psalm 92:12

“I said, I will go up to the palm tree, I will take hold of the boughs thereof: now also thy breasts shall be as clusters of the vine, and the smell of thy nose like apples;…”Song of Solomon 7:8

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“And you shall take on the first day the fruit of splendid trees, branches of palm trees and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days.”Leviticus 23:49

Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.John 12:13

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3.Palm trees and the economy of the land

“This thy stature is like to a palm tree, and thy breasts to clusters.” “Song of Solomon 7:7

One of my hometown’s popularity and a main stream of income was because of date palms.As a young child I grew up playing under the palm trees , refreshing under its shade on our way home after school, as it is very hot in the summer.There are so many memories of these trees from my childhood up to the stage I had to attend secondary school in Upington.( Pella only have a mission school from grade 1 to grade 8)

A farm called Klein Pella( Karstens Farming), nearby us developed right in the middle of a desert area and managed to form international exporting and contracts at leading stores in South Africa. Because of the palm tree factory on this farm, a school for the children of workers and a workshop for requiring skills for the youth developed.People are also streaming in from other provinces to earn an income.

3.1 How is this applicable to the believers?

The righteous are being revered to as flourishing just like the palm tree.The date palm tree economy in my hometown comes a long way and I believe it originated from missionaries and their work in the region.

Before we search for the link , let’s look into the following aspects first:

3.1.1 Righteousness

Who will flourish like palm trees?The righteous!!

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

2 Corinthians 5:21

Righteousness is not earned ; neither can it be produced, but needs to be pursued and only comes through Christ and what He has done for us on Calvary.

“…filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”

Phillipians 1:11

3.1.2 Profile of Deborah

• Wife of Lapidoth
• Mother
• Worshipper
• Songwriter
• Counselor
• Prophetess
• Fourth judge( her rank)
• She was the only female authority
• Her name means “bee” or “flame”
• She had judicial authority

3.1.3 Biblical Characteristics of the palm tree

• Growing Upright
• Victory
• Tall
• Superior ranking
• Shade and shelter( comfort)
• Height
• Provides shade and fruit
• Nobility
• Prosperous even in old age
• Strength and endurance
• Provision
• Production
• Vision
• Long term planning
• Sustainable
• Fruitfulness
• Flourishing

Both the economy of my hometown and the region I am currently residing in, is not as flourishing as it was back then.

But God is calling for the remnant to arose , come in right standing through repentance and call unto Him. I believe God wants to raise palm trees in our cities and regions who will serve as a landmark for Him and steering the economy in a different direction.I also believe that He wants to place these palm trees in strategic position in companies, businesses ,government, organizations like schools ,etc.

Conclusion

I came to the conclusion that Deborah worshipped God and placed herself as an instrument in God’s hand; she submit to the calling.Although she was in a position to give instructions, she first had to submit to God’s call and plans.The people of Israel and nature was waiting for her appearance , for her to arise.

I found it very interesting about the assignment carried by nature.Everything that has breath can praise the Lord and therefore also carries an assignment.

There is a palm tree in sight just where you’re at:“I said, I will go up to the palm tree, I will take hold of the boughs thereof:“