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Trees clap hands?

I

ikester7579

Guest
One of the verses that non-believers like to bring up that they believe there is no answer for is:

is 55:12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

This is actually easy to answer. Just do a word search on how the word tree is used.

Example:

mt 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

mt 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

mk 8:24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.

So tree is a representation of someone who is in the body of Christ.

Then we have mountains singing.

1cor 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

mt 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Most people consider the word mountain a physical object only. But lets use it in a different way so it is better understood about how it is used in the verses above.

Example:
1) Ever have a mountain of debt?
2) Ever have a mountain of worry?
3) Ever have a mountain of trouble?
etc...

http://www.answers.com/topic/mountain
 
There is also the sad fact that all too many urban folk are afraid to go walk thru a forest

In a decent wind, the sound is like a crowd applauding

I speak as an ex-pro entertainer, as well as a keen walker :wink:

Did you see http://www.PaulaWhite.org today?

Or was it the 700 Club who said, "Don't live in fear: go to the places you always go to & live your life in praise & thanks to God continually"

Both shows were @ http://www.God.TV - or was it http://www.ucb.TV - http://www.revelation.TV ...

I'll link Christian TV thread...

http://www.christianforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=24248

AH: a Jewish lady on 700..said the first bit & the famous doctor/writer on Paula White Today said the 2nd - quoting 1 Thessalonians 5: 18-22 & Psalm 16:11 etc

Ask http://www.BibleGateway.org how many times the Bible says, "Praise the Lord!"

It's living life in the attitude of gratitude - 'fix your eyes upon Jesus, the Author & Completer/Perfecter of our faith/trust/confidence'

"Speak often of the many wondrous things He has done.."

God bles!

Ian
 
Mr. Verse wrote: In a decent wind, the sound is like a crowd applauding

That was a brilliant explanation to a picturesque simile. I often ignore those ignorant oppositions to the beautiful figurative language of the scriptures, but you have captured the essence of that phrase in a way even the most dull would have to comprehend if they had ever walked in the woods.
 
So, it is figurative language that has another meaning. I agree. As with MANY other places of the Bible. The problem is, many times Christian Doctrine sees it as literal, when it is obviously figurative. This verse is an excellent example of how the Bible uses figurative language.
 
Ambient wrote: This verse is an excellent example of how the Bible uses figurative language.
I agree this is figurative. Would you like to show us a verse in other places that you consider to be poetic language that are mistaken as factual? A certain amount of common sense is required when reading any book.
 
yes, this is firguative. If you believe that trees literally clap, let me ask you: Do trees have hands?
 
unred typo said:
Ambient wrote: This verse is an excellent example of how the Bible uses figurative language.
I agree this is figurative. Would you like to show us a verse in other places that you consider to be poetic language that are mistaken as factual? A certain amount of common sense is required when reading any book.
Click to expand...

The first several chapters in Genesis seem very figurative to me.

Any mention of God having physical body characteristics.

Much of Revelation.
 
God in flesh is Christ.
Click to expand...

Somebody died on that cross.

As for the main topic though, yes trees rustling is a interesting possibility. It could also be in the line of other descriptions as the Mountains rejoicing or bowing down in God's presence. Basically all of these verses that use such terminology are speaking of God's creation testifying to Him or to the earth reacting to his very presence (Such as at Mt. Sinai - the Mountain physically shook and caught on fire).

A Prime example of this is 1 Chronicles 16:30-34:
"Tremble before Him, all the earth;
Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.
31Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
And let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns."
32Let the sea roar, and all it contains;
Let the field exult, and all that is in it.
33Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the LORD;
For He is coming to judge the earth.
34O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting."
 
cybershark5886 said:
God in flesh is Christ.
Click to expand...

Somebody died on that cross.

As for the main topic though, yes trees rustling is a interesting possibility. It could also be in the line of other descriptions as the Mountains rejoicing or bowing down in God's presence. Basically all of these verses that use such terminology are speaking of God's creation testifying to Him or to the earth reacting to his very presence (Such as at Mt. Sinai - the Mountain physically shook and caught on fire).

A Prime example of this is 1 Chronicles 16:30-34:
"Tremble before Him, all the earth;
Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.
31Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
And let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns."
32Let the sea roar, and all it contains;
Let the field exult, and all that is in it.
33Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the LORD;
For He is coming to judge the earth.
34O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting."
Click to expand...

More excellent passages that are figurative.
 
Something definatly happend around the 7th and 8th century BC in regard to "Pulling" symbolism through figurative language out of the text. You can almost see the trend progressing from Jeremiah (7th century BC) to in the book of Daniel (3rd Century BC).
 
mutzrein said:
Ambient said:
Disciple88 said:
God in flesh is Christ.
Click to expand...

I don't hold to the "one God in three identities" theology.
Click to expand...

Neither do I disciple. Perhaps another thread to discuss?
Click to expand...

Are you two saying that you deny the trinity?

Just wonder if that is the context of your posts.
 
Preacher Boy said:
mutzrein said:
Ambient said:
Disciple88 said:
God in flesh is Christ.
Click to expand...

I don't hold to the "one God in three identities" theology.
Click to expand...

Neither do I disciple. Perhaps another thread to discuss?
Click to expand...

Are you two saying that you deny the trinity?

Just wonder if that is the context of your posts.
Click to expand...

It depends on how you define 'the trinity'. Principally I don't hold to what seems to be a commonly accepted notion within Christendom that the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are individually God each having the same authority.
 
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