In the Garden of Hope

"... Like oak and holm oaks that after desfolharem are still firm ..." Isaiah 6:13.

Isaiah was an admirer of nature and if we look carefully, we find several references to it in his writings. He describes, in a metaphorical way, the behavior of trees compared to men: willow, vine, oak and holm oak are some of the species enumerated by meditating on the prophecies of Isaiah, the man who for three years, walked half naked and barefoot. I think that this unusual style of life, sometimes the departed the city, leading to the gardens and deserts, in reflection of life, prayer and contemplation of nature. It was Isaiah who prophesied: "And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few in number, that a child will" Isaiah 10:19 verse refers to governments, but also clear revelation on the forest clearing, which has already occurs in our day and earn major and devastating proportions in the future.

It really says a lot about the nature of life. Who knows, Isaiah, nude man, for you have found comfort in the language of trees, in how wisely God minister through them. Therefore, I invite we move together in plantations: I, you and Isaiah. Let's learn from the oak and holm?

The Holm:

A tree is typically Mediterranean. Its wood is so strong that it is difficult to work with, yet historians say was this wood were the first inventions of the wheel. Joiners in Algeria prefer to work with this tree, although most callous hands, the works have more durability. This resistance found in all holm, has a component called tannic acid, it thickens and hardens to a wood of holm. But not only is the wood of the plant that is high quality, its leaves are also durable, look what I found on the leaves of the oak tree:

"The ancient Greeks had holm high, although more for symbolic reasons than practical. Leaves of the tree were thought to be infallible and were used to predict the future. They were also used for crowns of honor for people of distinction. The Acorn (fruit of the oak tree) was seen as a sign of fertility and jewelry worn as pendants and necklaces with acorns imitation was believed to increase the chances of being fertile. "

Or, or, we will invite the Greeks to withdraw that our tour, superstition until rhymes with revelation, but has no connection! Now see Greek masters, God is One: omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient, the future belongs to Him! And please, nothing to do with crowns of honor holm oak leaves in a short time the honor of the Greek heroes and the crown will pass leaning somewhere. I present to you, the crown of glory that is put on the head of the King of Kings who never pass. Keep this lesson: "And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle." Rev. 14:14. Well, if after that behave better and not be destroying the canopy of oaks, can stay with us.

The holm oak, and oak, and grows well in any soil type, but she prefers the heat. Currently there are many countries that grow holm in their forests to be her great resistance to fire. England and Portugal are included in this context.

The Oak

I have done other studies on it, and I confess: a tree is inspiring, impressive! Oaks grow stronger every storm. The oldest exhibit trunk and thick and shapeless, which is receiving more clashes (lightning, heavy rain, etc.) the roots go deep to provide greater support, thus the tree gets bigger and stronger. Oaks bear in themselves the marks of the struggles and victories. Oak leaves do not fall easily and usually last a season inteirinho stuck in the branches. They present late fall and when spring arrives, there they are still on the trees, so it is said that the leaves of the oak are marcescent. It is common to see oaks and holm oaks in the same environment. Like here in our walk with Isaiah, see?

Isaiah? There he is reserved and contemplative, seems in prayer. After the indagaremos about it, surely he will have amazing things to tell us!

Learning from the prophet Isaiah: lessons oaks and holm

"But yet a tenth shall be in it, and will he be grazed, and as an oak, and as holm oak, that after desfolharem, are still firm, so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof." Isaiah 6:13

Our tour was coming to an end when the prophet comes to us in metaphor and exhorts us to be firm about which trees we observe. We said goodbye and went home with that phrase stuck in the senses, like oak leaves when they stick to their branches and only despregam at another station. What God was telling me?

These trees become stronger when faced with adversity, it is not a tragedy for them, but an opportunity to demonstrate the power of overcoming that composes their essences. Stripped of their leaves, these trees are a representation of hope and rebirth, they did not abandon the branches easily, but waiting for new season flourish. Holm, especially reverdecem wither and soon, even give chance the sorrow and loneliness. They smile even in pieces, because they know that redemption is near. Do not die, do not give up, do not lose faith, even as the world bid "lightning and severe storms" in his direction. Let us as oak, deepen our roots, firming in Christ Jesus because it comes from the Christian fortitude. If the holm oak and remain standing when they should be felled to the ground, it is because the secret is in the root. There are, there will remain a memorial of resistance and not only that, victory.

No man is free from oppression, yet some give and others win. Those who indulge, live eternal tragedy: The world turns and they with the world being led by the storms. The world is a spiral that tries to "suck" into the abyss of death, even death on life. It is a forest in which axes tinem longingly of devastation. But if there are oaks and holm oaks, or abyss, or devastation.

The Christian is a citizen of two worlds: the foreign land with eternal stay in heaven and this is our secret, roots: Rom 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that we be revealed. We glimpse the eternal living passenger. Prophet Isaiah in verse about oak and holm, says that the holy seed shall be firm, even after having been shaken, proven, it will be the firmness of the earth. The holy seed, are the sons of God, those who remain trusting, even when everything is being shaken: the leaves fall, wither, but as amazement, remain strong and thriving.

I want to be just like the oak and holm because dwells in me the assurance of salvation, the same Spirit that raised Jesus, and He will resurrect His promises to me. Job said, the top of his misery: "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand upon the earth. And though after my skin, yet in my flesh shall I see God," Job 19: 25-26. After all the suffering, there was Job firmer and prosperous than ever: Job oak and holm oak.

God bless you.