Proverbs 3:1-18

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

The tree of life is a fascinating Bible study. It first appears in the Garden of Eden. The person who ate its fruit would live forever (Genesis 3:22). After the fall, God sent Adam and Eve out of Eden and posted cherubim and a flaming sword to guard the way to the tree of life so that they would not continue forever in their sinful state.

In Proverbs 13:12 we read:

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12, NKJV)

I think about how long we have owned our church property, and now that we are seeing our desire fulfilled, it is a tree of life. It gladdens the heart and fills us with the abundant life of the Spirit!

Proverbs 15:4 tells us:

“A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:4, NKJV)

The power of life or death lies in the tongue. We can impart eternal life by the words we speak, or we can destroy others.

In our passage today we see that wisdom is a tree of life to those who take hold of her. We must determine to hold fast to the godly wisdom of the Word and to do what it says. This brings us life, joy and peace. It is a safety net to deliver us from trouble.

Finally, we see in Revelation 22:2

“In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” (Revelation 22:2, NKJV)

May God help us to overcome the trials and tribulations of this life so that we may forever eat from this tree of life in the Paradise of God! (Revelation 2:7)