It is an especially hallowed week in the garden, as the warmth of spring begins to wake up dormant plants with new life and flushes fresh growth in winter-weary evergreens. Against such a revival backdrop, the holy celebrations of Passover and Easter are set. What can gardens “speak” to us about these faith festivities?
He spoke about plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls.
1 Kings 4:33 NIV
“From the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop…” described the expanse of Solomon’s knowledge, implying the far reaches of his understanding. Yet a gardener’s reading of these words, digging into the plant species’ contrasting horticulture, brings to light the testimony of who Jesus is and what he did.
The cedar of Lebanon, Cedrus libani, a one-and-only type of tree, grows upright, noble and majestic, with a distinct stature. Fragrant and enduring qualities made its lumber prized for temples and palaces. Such imagery and horticultural qualities hint to Christ’s glory, set on high as King, as suggested in such verses as “The glory of Lebanon will come to you (Isaiah 60:13 NIV)” and “Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty— he is the King of glory (Psalm 24:10 NIV).”
Now plummet to the hyssop; from cedar treetops soaring nearly 100 feet tall, descend to the humble herb spilled out across the hot, arid common grounds of Israel, sprawling at a lowly 18 inches or so. An herb from the mint family, hyssop, Origanum syriacum, is a hardy plant that grows witherless in the most challenging of circumstances: intense, all-day sun with little water. Hyssop is an excellent choice for pollinator gardens, watch for the frenzy of bees when the herb blooms in early summer
Plant the Pair in Your Garden
I have planted hyssop nearby a cedar tree in our garden (actually a Juniperus variety, for neither the size of our yard nor our climate or soils can support a cedar of Lebanon) and stacked salvaged concrete chunks to build a little wall.
To my delight, a sprig of hyssop soon appeared and grew out between the cracks! Most will see a common garden bed, yet I am inspired by the much larger story of salvation planted right out my back door—Jesus, who he is and what he did, in the cedar and the hyssop that grows out of walls.
Find more about cedar of Lebanon on page a-17 & 296
Find more about hyssop on page a-26
Written by Shelley S. Cramm (a book excerpt from NGB author members)
God’s Word for Gardeners Bible is a devotional Bible for gardeners, featuring daily essays on a range of garden themes.
“This post is provided as an educational/inspirational service of the National Garden Bureau and our members. Please credit and link to National Garden Bureau and author member when using all or parts of this article.”
