“The Tree of Life” (Part 2)
Previously, we considered the first three usages of the tree of life in Genesis and the last three mentions of it in Revelation, which leaves four other occasions where the phrase is found, all of which are in Proverbs. Most of the wise sayings in this highly practical book are listed independent of each other, but occasionally several verses together deal with a topic, which is the case in 3:13-18:
Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding;
For her proceeds are better than profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold.
She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you desire cannot compare with her.
Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her.
Truly, all those advantages accompany wisdom. As long as followers of God walk in her, they will reap everlasting life, which is what the tree of life symbolizes here.
The second one is Proverbs 11:30: “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.” What is the fruit of the righteous? Probably, it is the person who lives according to the wisdom found in these writings. In the New Testament, we read of the fruit of the Spirit in the life of a Christian, which includes possessing the attributes of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). Paul also says that, as the opportunity arises, Christians should do good to all (Gal. 6:10). Those who refrain from gossip and slander and trying to cheat one’s neighbor—but instead treats him with kindness and proves helpful to him—the fruit he bears will be as a tree of life. He will set an example worthy of following.
Proverbs 13:12 contains the third reference: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” In other words, it is refreshing and a relief from not knowing if something sought will occur or not. Sarah and Hannah were two whose burdens were eventually put to rest when they bore children. The last use of the expression under discussion is in Proverbs 15:4: “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness breaks the spirit.” All of us have an effect on others. Do we build them up or wear them down? The former attitude will cause others to like us—and perhaps themselves a little bit more. The latter only discourages them. God gives us the power to be a tree of life on earth (figuratively) now; if we are successful at it, others might obey the gospel now and enjoy later the tree of life that is to come.