The Church of Joy, Williamson Ga

When you read the Bible you find that it has a great deal to say about fathers. You will find many teachings, many instructions and many words of wisdom for guidance.

One particular action done by a father has recently struck me and has had a powerful effect on me.

Before we can really understand Abraham's motives for planting a tree, we need to hear the back story.
Genesis 12:1-9

Abram(ham) went to Egypt for a while during a great famine but later returned with Lot his nephew. They had to part because of how large their flocks were growing then:
Genesis 13:14-18

So let's kinda summarize:
God makes a covenant with Abraham
God gives Abraham land.
Abraham plants a tree.

This is an important fact because it reveals that Abraham truly trusted in God and His provision. His faith was revealed in his action. He just didn’t say he believed, he responded in God’s goodness by passing on the blessing to future generations. To better understand this, we have to investigate the tamarisk tree.

What are the interesting characteristics about the tamarisk tree that set it off from other trees? Why would you plant one in the desert?

It appears that Abraham did not simply plant any tree upon arriving in Beersheba. He planted special tree to bring comfort and relief to the one who would live in the harsh desert environment. To a Bedouin or a Jew of the Middle East, the saying is this, “you don’t plant a tamarisk tree for yourself, you plant it for your grandchildren to enjoy”.

So what is Abraham saying in planting this tree?
>God, I so totally believe you, I’m going to plant a tree…even though I don’t have a place to bury my wife…or for me to be buried!
>This is my land and for generations to come, my family is going to be here.
>I’m going to plant a tree my grandkids will sit under because this will be our land!

As we think about Abraham’s blessing of planting a tamarisk tree for his offspring, we have to ask ourselves the question,

How much of what we do in life is done for just ourselves? Our comfort, our profit, our satisfaction?

Do we do anything to bless or plant a seed for the generations that are to come?

Is there anything that you are currently involved in that will outlive you?

We need to plant seeds of faith. A Godly heritage of walking with God is greater than any earthly possession.

Fathers, you are called to be the spiritual leader in the family. You, dad, set the spiritual direction of your family.

I have found that if a father walks with God, most likely his wife and children do as well. Let Jesus Christ be the center of your life and plant seeds of faith… your family needs to:
>Hear you pray, see you pray.
Life is full of challenges, struggles, desert places. Your children need you to plant seeds of “How you deal with these moments.” This conveys to them your dependance on God. It instills hope and security. It shows them that you know how to step out of the heat of the daily challenges, the issues of the day and take refuge.

>They need to see you and hear you worship God,
>They need to see you and hear you read the Bible.
>They need to see you and hear you be compassionate and share God’s love with others.
>They need to be part of your walk with God. They need to see you walking “in step” with the Bible.
>They need to be recipients of the fruit that comes from God through your life: See Galatians 5:22-25

Walking “in step” with God is like this… we open our eyes to His Word, learn His ways, we see how walk in step and align ourselves to it, making corrections along the way, we rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us, nudge us in place… the Church is important in this as well, we are encouraged and strengthened as we watch how other believers walk in faith, aligning themselves to God’s word and ways. We listen as well, we listen to the Word, to the voices of men and women who help, admonish, and challenge. Sometimes even nudge us to WALK in step with God as they walk with God…

Abraham knew the harshness of the desert climate. He knew that other generations would have to face the same heat, trials and desert challenges. So he planted the tamarisk tree to bless them and give them some relief.

What are you planting, growing and working on that will help and bless your family for generations to come?

Repent if needed, pray and respond. God empowers you, as you put your faith in Him. Go plant your Tamarisk tree.