From: 	 heb_roots_chr@mail.geocities.com
Sent: 	 Wednesday, November 5, 1997 11:34 PM
To: 	 Hebraic Heritage Newsgroup
Subject: Understanding the Fig tree

From:          Romeo Santiago
To:            heb_roots_chr@geocities.com
Subject:       Fig tree in Jewish idiom

Greetings to everyone.

Eddie, if "under the fig tree" is a Jewish idiom (for the Messianic Age),
does the fig tree have any significance in Jewish thought?  Is there any
Jewish meaning behind Genesis 3:7 and Matthew 21:19.

Thanks.

Romeo

>From Eddie:
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       The nation of Israel is seen as being likened to a fig tree.
 In Hosea 9:10 it is written:

"I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as 
the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time but they went to 
Baal-peor and separated themselves unto that shame adn their 
abominations were according as they loved"

       The land of Israel is also likened to fig trees. In 
Deuteronomy 8:7-8 it is written:

"For the Lord our God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of 
brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys 
and hills: a land of wheat, and barley and vines, and fig trees ..."

       The Bride of Messiah is likened to a fig tree. In Song of 
Solomon 2:8, 13 it is written:

"The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the 
mountains skipping upon the hills ... The fig tree putteth forth her 
green figs, and the vines with the tender grape vine give a good 
smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away"

       The key to understanding the timing of the end of days is to 
watch the nation of Israel. In Matthew 24:32-34 it is written:

"Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender 
and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh. So likewise 
ye, when you shall see all these things, know that it is near, even 
at the door. Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, 
till all these things come to pass"

       So the fig tree is symbolic of the nation of Israel. When she 
obeys God, she produces the "fruit of the fig tree". When she is in 
disobedience to God, her figs "fall to the ground".

       I would like to recommend some books that would be very 
helpful in understanding the spiritual meaning of the various plants 
and trees in the Bible. One is called "Trees and shrubs in our 
Biblical Heritage". There are several other books also. You can order 
these books from Cheryle at HaY'Did Ministries (shalom@haydid.org) 

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