Pastor's Message
May 2024
Flowers
You know the old adage, “April showers bring May flowers”? Well, that got me to thinking about flowers and the Bible. Before reading any further, can you think of any time flowers were mentioned in the Bible, either individually or as a group? I could think of a few, but they show up quite often. Allow me to share with you some of what I found.
Although not specifically mentioned, flowers get their beginning in Genesis and the third day of creation. The Lord created dry ground and vegetation, including trees bearing fruit with seed in it. We all know that fruit trees bear flowers before producing fruit. So, flowers have been in existence since Day 3.
Here is a partial list of flowers that are mentioned: a rose (probably a crocus) (Song of Songs 2:1), lilies (lily of the valley in Song of Songs 2:16 is known as the Easter lily, Song of Songs 5:13’s lily has a bloom like a glowing flame, the lilies of the field in Matthew 6:28 were more wildflowers), almond blossoms (Numbers 17:8), pomegranate blossoms and henna (or camphire) flowers (Song of Songs 4:13), stinkweed (or cockle flowers) (Job 31:40), nutmeg (or dill or cummin) (Isaiah 28:25-27), mandrakes (Genesis 30:14), myrtle branches (Nehemiah 8:15), and saffron (Song of Songs 4:14).
Perhaps you noticed that many of the references are from Song of Songs. If you know the book, it’s not surprising. It also demonstrates the challenge of putting modern terms for flowers with the ancient Hebrew. Translators do their best, but it can be hard.
In general, flowers grew abundantly during springtime in Palestine. Flowers grew mostly in open fields since flower gardens, as we now know them, were not cultivated. Flowers grew in crop fields and in groves of trees around houses. Numerous kinds of wildflowers could be found in the plains and mountains of Palestine. The words “flower” or “flowers” refer to colorful blossoms, towering plants, open flowers, and flourishing flowers. In Palestine the warm spring temperatures joined with the winter rains to produce beautiful, blooming plants and flowers. (Holman Bible Dictionary)
Some of the flowers mentioned above have an interesting twist. The almond blossom of Numbers has to do with Aaron’s staff. The Israelites were grumbling against Moses and Aaron and so Moses gathered the staffs from the leaders of Israel and put them in the Tent of Meeting. The next morning, Aaron’s staff, which represented the tribe of Levi, had budded, blossomed and produced almonds. Also, the lampstand in the Tabernacle had almond buds and blossoms for each of the six branches.
Many flowers were used in the making of perfume. Therefore, it is possible that some of these flowers were used in the aromatic resin used in the Tabernacle on the Altar of Incense. For instance, calamus leaves were a sweet-smelling cane or ginger grass and were used in worship.
The Rose of Sharon used in Song of Songs 2:1, many feel, is a type of Christ and is sometimes used in Christmas songs. Sharon is the Hebrew word for plain, as in the plain or flatlands of Israel near the Mediterranean Sea. The Hebrew word translated rose is probably a crocus, or some other flower that comes from a bulb. In context, the bride of the song is claiming, “I’m just a wildflower, a poor overlooked country girl.” Her lover responds, “You may be just a wildflower lily, but all the other girls are thorns by comparison.” So how is this a reference to Christ? Cross-referencing with Isaiah 35:1-2, basically the picture is this: in the desert blooms this beautiful flower. In barren Israel blooms the Christ, the glory of the Lord.
In the New Testament, Jesus uses the flowers of the field to teach us not to worry. “Why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these” (Matthew 6:28-29).
Scripture compares the temporary nature of life to the temporary nature of flowers. “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever” (1 Pet. 1:24-25 quoting Isaiah 40:6-7).
The flowers of spring (Song 2:12) signify renewal. The “fading flower” of Isaiah 28:1 represented the downfall of God’s disobedient people.
As you can see, flowers have their special place in Scripture. They probably have a special place in your heart, too. (Although I have a relative who does not like flowers.) Others have allergies or aversions to flowers. To each their own. But for most, especially with Mother’s Day happening this month, flowers will be in your future. Perhaps they will trigger some thoughts shared here with you.
Pastor Ben Golisch
Flowers
You know the old adage, “April showers bring May flowers”? Well, that got me to thinking about flowers and the Bible. Before reading any further, can you think of any time flowers were mentioned in the Bible, either individually or as a group? I could think of a few, but they show up quite often. Allow me to share with you some of what I found.
Although not specifically mentioned, flowers get their beginning in Genesis and the third day of creation. The Lord created dry ground and vegetation, including trees bearing fruit with seed in it. We all know that fruit trees bear flowers before producing fruit. So, flowers have been in existence since Day 3.
Here is a partial list of flowers that are mentioned: a rose (probably a crocus) (Song of Songs 2:1), lilies (lily of the valley in Song of Songs 2:16 is known as the Easter lily, Song of Songs 5:13’s lily has a bloom like a glowing flame, the lilies of the field in Matthew 6:28 were more wildflowers), almond blossoms (Numbers 17:8), pomegranate blossoms and henna (or camphire) flowers (Song of Songs 4:13), stinkweed (or cockle flowers) (Job 31:40), nutmeg (or dill or cummin) (Isaiah 28:25-27), mandrakes (Genesis 30:14), myrtle branches (Nehemiah 8:15), and saffron (Song of Songs 4:14).
Perhaps you noticed that many of the references are from Song of Songs. If you know the book, it’s not surprising. It also demonstrates the challenge of putting modern terms for flowers with the ancient Hebrew. Translators do their best, but it can be hard.
In general, flowers grew abundantly during springtime in Palestine. Flowers grew mostly in open fields since flower gardens, as we now know them, were not cultivated. Flowers grew in crop fields and in groves of trees around houses. Numerous kinds of wildflowers could be found in the plains and mountains of Palestine. The words “flower” or “flowers” refer to colorful blossoms, towering plants, open flowers, and flourishing flowers. In Palestine the warm spring temperatures joined with the winter rains to produce beautiful, blooming plants and flowers. (Holman Bible Dictionary)
Some of the flowers mentioned above have an interesting twist. The almond blossom of Numbers has to do with Aaron’s staff. The Israelites were grumbling against Moses and Aaron and so Moses gathered the staffs from the leaders of Israel and put them in the Tent of Meeting. The next morning, Aaron’s staff, which represented the tribe of Levi, had budded, blossomed and produced almonds. Also, the lampstand in the Tabernacle had almond buds and blossoms for each of the six branches.
Many flowers were used in the making of perfume. Therefore, it is possible that some of these flowers were used in the aromatic resin used in the Tabernacle on the Altar of Incense. For instance, calamus leaves were a sweet-smelling cane or ginger grass and were used in worship.
The Rose of Sharon used in Song of Songs 2:1, many feel, is a type of Christ and is sometimes used in Christmas songs. Sharon is the Hebrew word for plain, as in the plain or flatlands of Israel near the Mediterranean Sea. The Hebrew word translated rose is probably a crocus, or some other flower that comes from a bulb. In context, the bride of the song is claiming, “I’m just a wildflower, a poor overlooked country girl.” Her lover responds, “You may be just a wildflower lily, but all the other girls are thorns by comparison.” So how is this a reference to Christ? Cross-referencing with Isaiah 35:1-2, basically the picture is this: in the desert blooms this beautiful flower. In barren Israel blooms the Christ, the glory of the Lord.
In the New Testament, Jesus uses the flowers of the field to teach us not to worry. “Why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these” (Matthew 6:28-29).
Scripture compares the temporary nature of life to the temporary nature of flowers. “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever” (1 Pet. 1:24-25 quoting Isaiah 40:6-7).
The flowers of spring (Song 2:12) signify renewal. The “fading flower” of Isaiah 28:1 represented the downfall of God’s disobedient people.
As you can see, flowers have their special place in Scripture. They probably have a special place in your heart, too. (Although I have a relative who does not like flowers.) Others have allergies or aversions to flowers. To each their own. But for most, especially with Mother’s Day happening this month, flowers will be in your future. Perhaps they will trigger some thoughts shared here with you.
Pastor Ben Golisch