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My husband and I had the chance to take a small vacation in the Smoky Mountains.
When we arrived at the cute loft apartment we were staying in, we were taken aback by how beautiful everything was. Also, amazingly, everything we needed was provided for us – even snacks, coffee, throw blankets, magazines and even a first aid kit in case of an emergency.
It was so thoughtful that all of these things were provided.
In Genesis 1, we get a glimpse of creation. So far, we have seen the creation of the world itself, the light and the atmosphere. Now, on Day three, we see something new being formed – Land.
“Then God said, ‘Let the water under the sky be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear.’ And it was so. God called the dry land ‘earth,’ and the gathering of the water he called ‘seas.’ And God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let the earth produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds.” And it was so. The earth produced vegetation: seed-bearing plants according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Evening came and then morning: the third day.” (Genesis 1:9-13).
God creates the land and the sea on the third day. But the amazing thing to me here is God takes time to point out something in particular – the fruit-yielding trees.
God thought of everything.
Notice that it says, “whose seed was in itself.”
Not only did God provide a meal, but He provided for the future. He designed trees to produce fruit continuously. And when their seeds were planted, more trees would grow.
The trees were fruitful and would multiply and make more fruit-bearing trees.
We too are supposed to be like the trees by bearing fruit, multiplying and planting seeds of the gospel. As those seeds, or people, become discipled and fully grown, they will also plant seeds of their own and more people will come to know Jesus and so on.
God created the tree on the third day, which is what Satan would use to try to destroy God’s creation through Adam and Eve. And a tree would also be used to put God himself to death – Jesus Christ.
There is a song called, “He grew the tree.” In the lyrics, it says, “He grew the tree He knew would be used to make the old rugged cross.”
God provided a tree that would be used to put the Messiah to death as a sacrifice for humanity. The tree would be used for Christ to pour out His innocent blood to cover our guilt.
God died for us, and in doing so, he provided for our future – with a tree.
What a beautiful picture creation gives us of our loving, merciful and all-knowing God!
Copyright © 2020 by Yalanda Merrell. No part of this article may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from Lifeword.org.