In a week's time we'll celebrate Tu b'shevat, or the birthday of the trees in Israel. In ancient Israel, this time was when the sap would reawaken in the trees, marking their entrance into a new year of growth. This helped the farmers observe this specific command from Leviticus 19:23, “When you enter the land of Israel and plant any tree for food, you shall regard its fruit as forbidden. Three years it shall be forbidden for you, not to be eaten”. It goes on to say that the fruit of the fourth year was holy to be offered to the cohanim in thanksgiving, and then the fifth and on was to produce of itself and bless the farmer.
In Mark 8:23-24, when Yeshua is healing a blind man, after the first laying of hands and saliva, Yeshua asks the man what he sees. The man responds "I see men as trees walking". I've always been inclined to think that he was seeing into the spiritual veil.
In Jeremiah 17:18 it says about the righteous, "They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
And so many other scriptures paint this picture for us in relation to trees.
The fruitless ones will be cut off.
Abiding in Him causes us to bear much fruit.
People will know us by our fruit.
The Spirit produces fruit in us.
As we enter into a new physical season on Tu B'Shvat, let us also enter in spirit and truth.
Have we been feeling lacking and unable to produce?
Maybe this is the year for growth to begin coming forth.
Have we had fruit blossom but haven't utilized it?
This could be the year to dedicate it into the Lord for holy purpose, use, and service in the kingdom.
Have we needed a breakthrough or have we been waiting for things to fall into place?
Perhaps this is the year for our fruit to work towards our benefit and start producing effortlessly.
May you all have a blessed and meaningful Tu B'Shvat❤️❤️
