Series - "Bible Trees" IV - "LIKE A CEDAR TREE"
Ezekiel 31:2-9

September 18, 2005

Pastor William Underwood

In this Scripture the prophet uses the cedar tree as a picture of the majesty of Egypt that would be destroyed. The description of the cedar tree offers a lesson in the Christian life. Cedars were stately - as high as 120 ft. and 40 ft. in circumference - first branches were 10 ft. from ground and branches were equal all around the tree - growth was slow and steady - takes 3 yrs. for the cone to reach maturity - seeds are very small and plentiful - the sap is a gum that never loses its fragrance - the emblem on the flag and postage stamp of Lebanon is a cedar tree. The Cedar tree is referred to more than any other tree in the Bible - Ships of Tyre and Sidon were made of cedar - cedar chest was used for valuables - houses of rich people were lined with cedar wood - in Leviticus, cedar wood was used with the sin offering to make a pleasant odor - burning flesh would smell terrible but cedar wood helped to overcome the odors. "He shall GROW like a cedar in Lebanon" - "grow" in Hebrew means to grow in three ways - downward, upward and outward.

I - DOWNWARD GROWTH
1-Downward growth is slow and difficult - mountains were very rocky - roots had to go down deep. 2-Psa. 29 says that only the voice of God could uproot or break a cedar tree - a Christian must have deep roots. 3-Root growth is not seen but it is very important. 4-Matthew 13:6 "Withered for they had no root"--seed was planted on shallow ground. 5-Matt. 13:21 "Since he has no root he lasts only a short time." - grew up but not down - roots are important. 6-Cedar grew on mountain where wind and snow beat on it - "Lebanon" means "white snow" - mts were snow capped all year around. 7- Branches had to carry heavy snow weight - do you hold up under the weight of trouble? 8-READ - Ephesians 3:17-19

II - UPWARD GROWTH
1-The tallness of the cedar is emphasized 2-It stood out among all the other trees. 3-Matt. 5:20 "Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven" 4-READ Ephesians 4:14-16 and II Peter 3:18

III - OUTWARD GROWTH
1-There are many references to "broad boughs" - cedar was a broad tree - branches reached out - they were a shelter for birds and animals - it offered protection from the weather. 2-The Cedar could weather the storms that beat on it. 3-When life becomes difficult, the Christian must be able to handle it and still help others that are weaker. 4-Do you reach out to others who need help and encouragement in life? 5-Psa. 104:16-17 - "The trees of the Lord are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that He planted. There the birds make their nests." 6-The word for "birds" means "Sparrows" - they make their nests in the cedar trees. 7-Sparrows are common but God knows when one falls from the treetop - the cedar tree cares for the sparrow. 8-As Christians, do we care for and shelter and help others when life overwhelms them?

How is your "growth rate" today? Have you grown deep and high and wide like the cedar tree? What does your Christian life look like? What do others see in you?