The Tree of Life

Proverbs 3:18 "She (wisdom) is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her."


In this section of Proverbs Solomon has shown us the attributes and benefits of wisdom. We have seen that wisdom brings us happiness, that she is worth more than precious metals or jewels, and that she is better than anything else we can desire. The benefits from having wisdom in our lives are old age, honor, riches, pleasantness, and peace. In this verse we find that not only is the man blessed that finds wisdom (verse 13), but also the man that holds on to her. What stands out to me is that the author tells us that she is as a tree of life to those that embrace her. I want to look further into this tree of life. Is this a figurative tree or a literal one. What is it all about?
We first hear of this tree as one of the many trees in the garden of Eden. But special mention is made of two of these trees: the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:9). Of the tree of life Adam was allowed to eat, but the tree of knowledge he was to avoid under penalty of death. In Gen 3:22 God does not want man to eat anymore of the fruit of the tree of life, because He does not want them to live forever in their fallen state, so He cuts off access to the tree by removing Adam and Eve from the garden. And just to make sure He placed mighty cherubim with flaming swords at the entrance of the garden. So we see that literally eating form one tree would bring life and eating from the other would bring death. Man chose death and we are still dealing with the consequences of that decision today. The next time we encounter this tree is in Revelation 22:2 where we learn that the tree of life is in the midst of the new Jerusalem, next to the river flowing through it. It yields twelve kind of fruits every month and its leaves are for the healing of the nations. In verse 14 a blessing is pronounced on those that follow Jesus' commandments because they will be given access to the tree of life once again to have life eternal.
What is missing in that new paradise is the tree of death. In Eden, there were two trees, in the new Jerusalem there is only one. Why is that? Because Jesus has conquered death on the cross and it has lost its sting. We no longer are subjected to the curse - it has been lifted once and for all. Jesus' redeeming blood was shed on Calvary and our sinfulness has been blotted out of the heavenly accounting books. We are written in the Lamb's book of life by accepting Jesus' gift of salvation and have thus been restored to once again gain access to the tree of life. And it is through Godly wisdom given to us by the Holy Spirit in our lives that we can recognize and hold on to this gift of life. What is foolishness to the world, because they lack the Holy Spirit, has become wisdom to those that have recognized their need for a Savior and accepted Jesus as their only way back to God.

Application
Today I will remind myself of the victory over death I have in Christ. I will praise Him for allowing me access to the tree of life in the coming Jerusalem and remember the price He had to pay to grant me that access.