Parable of the Fig Tree?

[Edward]

Here's a parable of the fig tree that was in my mornings reading. I must admit, I have no clue what this means. What's your take on the meaning of this parable?

Luke 13:6-9

6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’

8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut i down.’â€

 

[stovebolts]

This is a parable about Israel. It is a call to repentance.

Israel was often cited in the OT as both a Vinyard and a Figtree. See Jeremiah 24:1-10 and Hosea 9:10. When they are present, peace and prosperity exist. when they are removed curses and punishment are symbolized. (Deut 28).

The three years can be taken many different ways. In Jewish thought called gamera (sp) the number 3 is a complete number. As a side note, Jerusalem was under siege for 3 years before the walls were breached and the temple was destroyed.

Regardless, we see a caregiver giving specific attention to this tree in hopes that it might produce fruit even though it shows signs otherwise. Given that fig trees need little to no tending I think this is important.

 

[SeekHisFace]

Yes, after reading the passage...Jesus with God's mercy had given the people time to repent versus giving the tree (parable) time to bear fruit.
He is so merciful .. isn't He? Praise God!

 

[stovebolts]

Yes, after reading the passage...Jesus with God's mercy had given the people time to repent versus giving the tree (parable) time to bear fruit.
He is so merciful .. isn't He? Praise God!

Our God has been a God of mercy from the beginning. Most see two God's in the Bible. A wrathful God of the OT and a loving, caring God of the NT. This is simply not the case.

 

[Edward]

Ah, that makes perfect sense! I do not spend near as much time in the OT as I do the NT. Not that I have anything against it, I just am eating up the NT and working it through my system like the yeast gets worked through the dough. (Luke 13:20-21)
Thank You!

 

[Sparkey]

Ah, that makes perfect sense! I do not spend near as much time in the OT as I do the NT. Not that I have anything against it, I just am eating up the NT and working it through my system like the yeast gets worked through the dough. (Luke 13:20-21)
Thank You!

That is a precious scripture. It is also a secret. Shhhhh.... tuck it away. Not all "yeast" is bad. This, Edward, is part of your calling (as I see it).

 

[stovebolts]

Ah, that makes perfect sense! I do not spend near as much time in the OT as I do the NT. Not that I have anything against it, I just am eating up the NT and working it through my system like the yeast gets worked through the dough. (Luke 13:20-21)
Thank You!

Great! The parables are such great little nuggets, especially when you start to dig into the OT and the culture. They are not as hard to understand as we make them out to be.

Romans 2:2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

In summary, the Parable tells of eminent destruction and there is little time left for repentance. It is an act of kindness.

 

[Edward]

I hear you. A little more fertilizer and a little more time. What a loving and merciful God that we have!

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

"Continuance in evil breeds callousness of heart, and when the soul has long been sleeping in indifference it is hard to arouse it from the deadly slumber". (Charles Spurgeon)

How long does God give us to awaken to his calling?

60 yrs, 70 yrs, 80 yrs, 90 yrs?

How hard it must be for an older person to change their ways.

Yet it seems that if we pray to God for someone, he may give them "another year".

There is great mercy in this passage to whoever will listen and receive.

 

[Edward]

I sit and read this over and contemplate it, and find that it is indeed very deep and full of love and mercy. It seems to be a grand message to backsliders for the most part. The tree was alive and did not bear fruit so the owner thought to cut it down. The caretaker says nay, a little more time, a little more fertilizer, and then we will see.

Many of our stories here include coming to the blood of Christ at a low time in our life, were saved and the tree sprang to life...and then turning back to the ways of the world. No fruit. We know that if tree receives constant fertilizer that it will always bear fruit and grow into a mighty tree. If it is neglected and fed it will slip into (callousness of heart) and will not bear fruit. What is this fertilizer that it needs?

We know how we were brought unto the Lord in the first place. The Holy Spirit! We know how we received salvation in the first place. The blood of Christ! The tree sprouts. It must grow and be a fruit bearing tree though or what good is it? It will need watered everyday and fertilized. This is the Holy Spirit, flowing freely from the throne of God. Jesus is the water bearer. To walk away from the cross is to quench the Spirit. To shut off the water supply that we need to water the tree every day.

Callousness of heart sets in. We look out the window at the tree and say to ourselves, is it not doing well? It does not need watered today. Besides, don't I keep the law and am a good caretaker? The tree will be ok. Then we slide down the slippery slope of confusion, not realizing that the roots of the tree are thirsty and drying out at this moment. Then turn away from the window to entertain friends of the world or whatever. Mistake. Apathetic caretaker.

We till the ground. The water bearer turns on the water. If we do not approach the cross every day, the water will not flow freely. We return and be sprinkled with the blood of Christ and he rejoices to turn on the water on for us. It flows, the tree is watered and fertilized. Fruit begins to sprout. The tree is good and will not be cut down! Growth and maturity come fast with constant attention and the fruit is plentiful. Well done thou good and faithful servant.

One need not ever look to the law. It is all in the cross and the blood of Christ. That we will keep the law and walk in righteousness is merely a byproduct and a fruit. We have to remain focused on Christ and not take our eyes from him. We approach daily and pick up our cross for the day and everything else will be added unto you. Read the scripture daily and pray even more. Praying is an approach to the cross. Pray for your backslidden friends and those caught up in the law. This IS a great parable! It goes very deep if we meditate upon it.

 

[stovebolts]

Great thoughts Edward and very refreshing to read!

Your words reminded me of 2 John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

Grace and peace brother!

 

[astragoth]

Trees are symbolic of peoples in the Bible. For instance I hope nobody here thinks that Eve ate a piece of fruit.

 

[Sparkey]

I hope...

Sorry to dash your hopes so quickly but I can't imagine what else to think.

The LORD God planted a garden eastward, in `Eden, and there he put the man whom he had formed. Out of the ground the LORD God made every tree to grow that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. A river went out of `Eden to water the garden; and from there it was parted, and became four heads.
...
The LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of `Eden to dress it and to keep it. The LORD God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat:

If it was not a garden and if it was not a man who was placed to keep the garden and if there were no trees but only symbolic things and ... well, you get my point, or if you don't? you may be able to see that I get my point. I get yours too, and won't try to dissuade you from it except to say, "sorry" for my part in dashing your hope so quickly.



~Sparrow

 

[Edward]

Great thoughts Edward and very refreshing to read!

Your words reminded me of 2 John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

Grace and peace brother!

Thanks brother. Boy, this board sure has been a blessing to me. I kind of felt dumbfounded when I first read that and I'm glad I came here and asked about it, for it means a lot and you all shined a lot of light upon it for me. You all please feel free to correct me if I ever get something wrong, I'm still young in my faith and learning, and I am not too arrogant to learn from others in Christ. I've been even more blessed in spiritual matters by private conversations I have had here. Set me straight rather quickly when I was about to make a mistake, so yeah, this board is great! Praise the Lord I found it.

Blessings to you all!

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

Trees are symbolic of peoples in the Bible. For instance I hope nobody here thinks that Eve ate a piece of fruit.

Then what did she eat, a person?

 

[stovebolts]

Trees are symbolic of peoples in the Bible. For instance I hope nobody here thinks that Eve ate a piece of fruit.

Last I read from the terms of service that you agreed to when you registered for this site, Serpent Seed Doctrine is forbidden. Don't go there.