IN Bible metaphor the tree is frequently used as a figure in Christ's kingdom. Earthly kingdoms as well as men are also compared to trees. The godly are likened to "trees of righteousness," bringing forth their fruit in season, while the wicked are called "a tree bereft of branches," "barren and unfruitful." In the book of Genesis we read of "the tree of life" which was planted in the midst of the garden, and also of "the tree of knowledge of good and evil." As eating of the fruit of "the tree of knowledge" resulted in sin, sickness, and death, so eating of the fruit of "the tree of life" was designed to produce health, holiness, and immortality. The tempter, or antichrist, argued that eating the forbidden fruit would make men as gods; while the Christ declared, "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. . . . And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations."
The fruit-bearing qualities of men, like those of trees, determine their right to existence. The husbandman said of the barren fig-tree, "Cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?" Paul refers to an "unfruitful" understanding; and Peter, speaking of brotherly kindness and charity, says, "For if these things be in you, . . . ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful." The Hebrews were forbidden to cut down the fruit-bearing trees of even their enemies. Moses expressly warned the Israelites not to destroy the fruitful trees when besieging a city, "by forcing an axe against them: . . . (for the tree of the field is man's life) . . . only the trees which thou knowest that they be not trees for meat, thou shalt destroy and cut them down."
The psalmist describes the righteous man as "a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." Solomon compares wisdom and understanding to "a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her;" and John the Baptist said, "And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."
