He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. (Psalm 1:3)

In Jewish commentary, there is a notion that the Hebrew word translated as planted should actually be rendered as replanted — that is to say, in a better environment that is conducive to life and prosperity. In this case, the abundant tree is positioned next to “rivers of water,” meaning that it has an abundant supply of life-giving water. Following this line of thinking, if a good tree has been replanted in a better environment, then it stands to reason that the bad tree — the one that produces deadly fruit — is firmly planted in the earth it sprang up from; or let’s put it this way, the world.

The wicked of this world are firmly entrenched in the wisdom of this world and, consequently, are destined to remain there if they continue to indulge their carnal inclinations. Furthermore, being so connected to the world, they are unable to discern the things of God, in fact, they scoff and ridicule what we know to be true. As it is written, “Evil men do not understand justice” (Proverbs 28:5); and as Paul stated, the Gospel is “veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). According to the Messiah, the end result of this scenario is not good: “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matthew 7:19).

On the other hand, the righteous have been uprooted from our evil inclinations and the environment that feeds them, preferring instead to reside in the midst of the Garden so to speak. Those who understand the value and our need to be uprooted from this world are placed firmly by the rivers of living water. That means that, even in times of drought and lack, our leaf — that which shields and protects the precious fruit — will not wither and die. Our destiny as God’s people is to live a contented, even happy life, filled with all the good things our heavenly Father has for us. So then, as the days grow more ominous, and the princes of this world attempt to force feed us their so-called wisdom, let us cling fast to the One and Only source of life — the Word of God embodied in our Messiah.

Blessings and Shalom,  

Bill 

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