PALMS AND WILLOWS

By Milburn Cockrell

          Upon the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles, the Israelites had to bring the boughs and branches of certain trees into the presence of the Lord, and rejoice before him seven days. Two parts of the tree-world are specifically mentioned, namely: “Palm trees. . .and willows of the brooks” (Lev. 23:40). These trees are emblematic of the various experiences confronting us in our earthly pilgrimage.

            Palm trees symbolize triumph, gladness, renown and success (Ps. 92:12). All that is best and brightest in life can be likened unto them. On the other hand, willows are emblematic of badness, loss, disappointment and death (Ps. 137:2). We sometimes call them “the weeping willows.” Willows are the reverse to all palms may indicate.

            No matter who we are---rich or poor, wise or unwise, saved or lost---our life is a mixture of palm trees growing in the sun, and drooping willows of the brook. There is a time to laugh and a time to weep. Our smiles and our sighs, our triumphs and trials, our pleasures and pains, are providently intermingled (Eccl. 3). Our feast days are often followed by fast days; one day we are pierced, the next we are praised.

            The Israelites had to bring both palms and willows before the Lord in the spirit of praise. The lesson here for us is that we must bless God for the things we do not like as well as for the things we do like (Eph. 5:20; II Cor. 12:9-10). Job had his home burned, sons slain, possessions plundered, and was smitten with a loathsome disease, yet he said, “What? Shall we receive good at the hand of the Lord and shall we not receive evil?. . .Though He slay me yet will I trust him” (Job 2:10; 13:15). Shortly, Job learned that the greatest of all Gardeners is able to transform willows into beneficial palms (Job 42:10-16).

            It is blessed to realize that in Heaven nothing but palms will ever grow. When John was granted the vision of Heaven, he noticed that the saints were clothed in white and had palms in their hands. There will be no weeping willows in Heaven (Rev. 7:9).