Aurora Tree

Jeremiah 17, "This is what the LORD says: 'Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. 'But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.' The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? 'I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.'"

I love to learn about the Jewish customs and ways, and what things meant in their original language. In this verse it says a "bush in the wasteland..." In the original language it is actually referring to an Aurora Tree. The Aurora Tree is a beautiful tree that grows in the dessert. Many travelers may see the tree and think they can survive from its fruit, or there may be water near by. The tree has heavy beautiful fruit on it, but when you break it open there is only dust inside. The milk that drips is very poisonous and will kill whomever that eats it. There is no water to be found for its roots go 150 ft into the ground. What seems to be a promising, life saving tree only offers the illusion of hope for there is no life found from this tree. There are other trees and bushes that do offer true hope when you see them. They grow near the river and their roots are made strong from the constant feeding from the spring. They have fruit on them that will feed the person in need and whomever that goes to them will find life there.

God is watching us to see what kind of tree we will be. He is expecting us to feed His people and He knows our true hearts. Many people think, if they tell others what they want to hear, then they are offering them life. Many people do not want to tell people the truth, because this is hard. Jeremiah seemed to be offering destruction and bringing only guilt and condemnation to the people, but what he was really offering was the chance for true life. The other prophets were like the Aurora Tree. They were telling the people what they wanted to hear, but there words offered no chance at life. They actually were leading the people further and closer to destruction. When people come to you, do you offer them the truth that will bring them life, or do you dress up their sin and offer them destruction in the end? You and they, may feel good right at the beginning, but in the end you may be the one that brings destruction upon them.

When Jeremiah spoke to the people, his words seemed to offer only guilt and condemnation, but if they would have listened to him, they would have found life. "God promised Jeremiah that He would deliver him personally— ". . . your life shall be as a prize to you . . ." (Jeremiah 39:18). That is all God promises His children. Wherever God sends us, He will guard our lives. Our personal property and possessions are to be a matter of indifference to us, and our hold on these things should be very loose. If this is not the case, we will have panic, heartache, and distress. Having the proper outlook is evidence of the deeply rooted belief in the overshadowing of God’s personal deliverance." Oswald Chambers

What do you offer others? Are you really relying on God? Do you offer a chance at life, or are you helping them to die in the dessert? When I speak to others, I have to ask myself these questions. It is so hard to tell people the truth. It is harder still to try your best to live as Christ lived, but it is so worth it in the end. My first desire when others are talking to me, is for them to flatter me. What I really want is the truth. I want others to help me see things in my life that I am not seeing, so that I can get stronger and live a good life. Sometimes the truth hurts, but in the truth there is life. What kind of person are you turning to in your time of need? Do you go to those whom you know will flatter you, or do you go to those who are offering you truth and life, even though it may hurt at first? What are you to others in their time of need? Do you offer life, or do you only appear to be their friend? Are you real, or do you only offer an illusion?

http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/my-utmost-for-his-highest/06/27/devotion.aspx?year=2009