He shall be like a Tree...

When we first purchased our home, a young maple tree grew right about the dead center of our property line.  It stood out like a sour thumb because it was the only tree in the middle of nowhere.  Finally, one day, while our landscaper serviced our backyard, I asked him to take it down.  All that became left of the tree was a short little stump.  

Some time had passed, and we didn't even notice that the stump budded and let out a new shoot.  It grew so fast that it was nearly six feet tall before we got to it.  Unlike the original tree, the tree trunk grew straight up and very tall this time.  In fact, my husband was so impressed with the tree's new form and stature that we decided to let it grow. 

I soon learned this was a legitimate method forest managers use, called coppicing.  Because naturally grown trees in the wild have bends and forks that are not very useful for lumber, they cut them down to the stump to promote new growth and create beautiful long shoots.  These new shoots are now valuable for lumber projects such as home building and furniture making.  This method also keeps the tree at a juvenile stage for extended periods and expands its life cycle.  

An Old Testament man named Job refers to this phenomenon and likens it to our lives here on Earth (Job ch. 14).  

We are naturally born with a sinful nature (vs. 1-4).  Just like the wild trees, we are good for nothing.  Everything about us must first be removed and die for new life to emerge.  God, the gardener, does just that.  He graciously begins cutting it away to the stump.  Our bad habits, desires, and plans for ourselves must first die.  

Only then can a new life in Christ begin. And only then can he mold it into what he intended. The Bible promises that this new, born-again life in Christ will flourish and prosper even in old age.  

For there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its tender shoots will not fail. (Job 14:7 BSB)

Supporting Text

Nebuchadnezzar’s conversion 

A tree was in the midst of the land, and its height was great….Cut down the tree and chop off its branches;  strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit….But leave the stump with its roots in the ground,...

…As for the command to leave the tree's stump with its roots, your kingdom will be restored to you as soon as you acknowledge that Heaven rules…. (Da. 4)

And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefor which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, .…(Lu 3:9)