On Sparing Fruit Trees
When thoti shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an axe against them; for thou mayst eat of them, and thou shalt not cut them down (for the tree of the field is man’s life) to employ them in the siege. — Deut. xx. 19.
In going to war against any city the Jews were forbidden to cut down fruit trees. Trees that did not bear fruit might be used in war, but fruit trees w€re specially interdicted. What are the lessons touching our own life which are suggested by this exemption?
1. Spare the fruit trees, — then men aee to be self-controlled UNDER the most EXCITING CIRCUMSTANCES.
Observe that the Jews were to bear this restriction in mind at a time when they were most intensely excited. It was not something to be remembered in their moments of tranquillity, it was to be set before them when their fiercest passions were ablaze. We have been taught” that all is fair in war/^ but this law contradicts that proverbial morality. We are not to excuse our wantonness by pleading the excitement of circumstances. When the city was to be taken and the cutting down of one fruit tree would apparently secure the end in view, even in that critical hour the law was to be remembered and obeyed. In time of war men are in danger of becoming mad altogether. How beautiful then the provision that in the keenest contest there was to be a recollection of law! It ought to be so in our own lives. This is a day of fierce competition, and men are in danger of giving themselves up to passion rather than to judgment, and pleading the pressure of circumstances as an excuse for doing some things which they would never think of doing in calmer moments. Such a plea is vicious. Even in battle men are not to lose their reflectiveness, and even in the presence of death they are to remember the law of God.
2. Spare the fruit trees, — then do not foece a
PEESENT VICTOEY AT THE EXPENSE OF FUTUEE SUFPEEING.
Victories may cost too much. What, if after having secured a conquest, we have cut ofi* the sources of supply and left ourselves without bread and water? The question which ought to be put frequently inhuman life is not *^^.Can I reach yonder point ?^’ but, “Can I reach that point without sacrificing my obedience to Divine law?^’ You may get your own way in life but what if you have to burn an orchard in doing so? It may appear to be a small things that a fruit tree should stand between you and victory but that apparently small thing represents the sources at which life renews itself. What if a man gain the whole world and lose his own soul? What if a man should surround himself with all that is beautiful in form and colour and give up his sight as the price of the pleasure?
3. Spare the fruit trees — then judge all things by
THEIR HIGHEST USEFULNESS AND NOT BY THEIR TEMPORARY ADVANTAGES.
The wood of the fruit tree might have been useful for hulwar]i:s, but there was a higher use to which the 4;ree could be put, and it was by that higher use that its treatment was to be determined. Things are not to be judged by their meanest, but by their highest possibilities. A man be able to clean a boot, but if he be also able to paint a picture, the time which is spent upon the boot may be time wasted. You may be able to carve a face upon a cherry-stone, but if you can also teach a child, all your carving, however exquisite, is but a proof of your frivolousness. What are we doing with ourselves? Are we living along the line of our highest capabilities, or consulting the conveniences of the passing moment? Who can think of a fruit tree being cut clown to help a man over a brooklet when the meanest gate-post would have done just as well? Yet there are men who are lying down in the dust when they might be exerting the most beneficial influence upon society.” Aim highj for he who aimeth at the sky shoots higher far than he who means a tree/^
4. Spare the fruit trees, — then man has it in his
POWER TO inflict GREAT MISCHIEF UPON HIMSELF AND UPON SOCIETY.
You cmi cut down a fruit tree! You have the fovjer to do mischief, but not the right, A man may show his strength in cutting down a fruit tree, but did he know it, he would be showing far greater strength in not doing so. Forbearance is often the last point of power.
What is the Christian application of all this?
1. All who are in Jesus Christ are expected to bear fruit. 2. Only in so far as Christians hear fruit will they be spared by Jesus Christ Himself. The fig-tree was a fruit tree, yet because it disappointed the hunger of Christ, it withered away under His frown. We are not saved by the name but by the reality. 3. Only in so far as Christians bear fruit ought they to receive toleration at the hands of society. “Not every one that saith unto me. Lord, Lord/^ etc. Profession often aggravates disappointment. Ornamental cliurclies, ministries, and institutions generally, how bold and loud soever their professions, must perish under the condemnation of the society they have mocked by false appearances. 4. It is possible to bring forth evil fruit! Think of that. The question, therefore, is not ‘’^ Are we bearing frivit? ‘^ but ‘^ Are we bearing good fruit? ^’ Such fruit we can bear only as we are in Christ.” As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,^^ etc. 6. Fruit trees must be pruned. To cut off superfluous wood is really to spare the tree in the best sense. God takes away friend, helper, counsellor, health, prosperity, and all that we value, but in doing so he spares the life. Why? That lue may bring forth much fruit.