Proverbs 3:18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
The Tree of Life God planted in the Garden of Eden had power to retard the aging process even of sinners. After Adam and Eve sinned God had to prevent them from eating of it in their fallen state – “ And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.” Men have long sought out the “Fountain of Youth” in quest for longevity of life; many today try to stay and look as young as possible. They exercise, take vitamins and food supplements; use anti-aging products, anything to prevent the onset of age. Many even use hair color, face lifts and other type medical procedures to prevent the “appearance” of age. The original Tree of Life is presently in paradise planted along the River of Life – “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” The Scriptures give us other “trees of life” for us while in this life.
Wisdom – Proverbs 3:13-18 tells us that wisdom is a tree of life. Here and elsewhere, wisdom is defined as prudence in religious affairs; telling us that a proper relationship with our Creator and Savior is a Tree of Life. The Scriptures speak of the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding”. When we find this wisdom, we experience true happiness and freedom from worldly allurements.
Fruit of righteousness – Prov 11:30 tells us that the fruit or product of living a righteous life is a tree of life. Fruit carries several ideas – product of growth; off spring, children, actions. Jesus said that we bear fruit only as we are attached to the Vine. Solomon says that our life in righteousness is a Tree of Life to others.
Our longings – Prov 13:12 tells us that the desires that we long for are a Tree of Life when they come to fulfillment. The prolonging or side tracking of those things we hope for or desire causes “sickness” – (weakness; sickness); but when the desire is fulfilled, then it is as a tree of life to us. The idea of desire is a great longing, not sinful but a righteous desire, of things that pertain to the will of God. An abiding, confident, always-continuing life of hope is a tree of life.
Wholesome tongue – Prov 15:4 tells us that a wholesome, (health, healing, cure), tongue is a Tree of Life. Our words are important and Scripture has much to say about the way we use our tongues. (Prov 12:18; 16:24; 25:18; Psa 52:2; 57:4; 59:7: 64:3) Proverbs 12:18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones Psalm 52:2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.. Psalm 64:3 Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:
Are we a Tree of Life?