“A voice said to him, Why are you here, Elijah? He replied, “I have been most zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts, but the Israelites have forsaken your covenant. They have destroyed your altars and murdered your prophets by the sword. I alone remain, and they seek to take my life”  (1 Kings 19:13-14 NIV).

This month we continue in our two-part blog series on the lessons learned in-between a broom tree and a tamarisk tree.  The broom tree (or rotem in Hebrew) is a desert shrub that grows across Arabia and throughout the Judean wilderness. Its deep roots draw in the moisture of land that is otherwise barren.  In the Bible, desert shrubs such as the broom tree appear in moments of despair as well as times of divine encounter. 

The broom tree also offers us an image for our mission and ministry.  We, like broom trees, spring up in all kinds of places. We can provide shade for those in need of encouragement and sustenance.  Some will come and stay and plant roots in our shade and become part of the plant (Body of Christ) that offers even a little more shade to others. Others may only stay for a moment, just long enough to get the energy to take the next step.  Sometimes a brief rest, a kind word, a simple sandwich may be just what God uses to help someone take the next step.    Sometimes we are the broom tree (the giver), and sometimes we are the traveler (the taker).  Sadly, some in life are forever determined to remain as the latter.

When we are exhausted or depressed, we can be strengthened under the broom tree.  It is there we can find shade when we are traveling through the dry, hot wilderness.  It is there we can find warmth when we are cold and miserable.  It is there we can find nourishment when we are hungry and thirsty.  It is there we find communion with God, as His angels minister to us, like they ministered to Elijah, serving him the bread and water.  This world needs more broom trees providing random acts of kindness and kind words.

However, a tamarisk tree provides significantly more shade than a broom tree.  A tamarisk tree is a substantial tree with unique cooling properties. It features dense, feathery foliage that creates a thick canopy.  Tamarisk leaves secrete salt that absorbs moisture from the air at night. During the day, this moisture evaporates, creating a cooling mist that can make the air under the tree 10–15 degrees cooler than the surrounding area. 

 The contrast in Genesis 21 is often noted by scholars. Hagar and Ishmael survive by a mere “shrub” (broom tree) in their moment of near-death. Later in the same chapter (Genesis 21:33), Abraham plants a tamarisk tree in Beersheba as a sign of permanence and long-term provision. 

Because tamarisks grow very slowly, Abraham was essentially planting shade for future generations to enjoy, signifying his faith in God’s eternal covenant. 

Yes, in life we will sometimes be the broom tree and sometimes be the weary, desperate traveler.  However, it is important that as we travel from broom tree to broom tree, we stop and plant some tamarisk trees for future generations.   I recall as a young boy speaking to an elderly gentleman, that was planting a pecan tree and he told me that he would not live long enough to enjoy the pecans but knew that future generations would enjoy the pecans.  I know of others that have left an endowment at their church that will forever provide college scholarships for high school graduates.  All trees are important and provide oxygen for us to live. 

Just like a tree, we have the ability to go and bare much fruit or none at all.  If we all consider the investments of past generations in our prosperity today, we will be more likely to invest in future generations.