Cedar Roots & Branches

Do we have roots? Two-part series. 

     Women know about cedar chests.

     Cedar wood is known for fine grain, attractive yellow beneath its bark, fragrance, durability, immune to insect ravages, and essential oil...all metaphors of benefits our Lord offers to his children. 

     Before deforestation, cedar trees were common in ancient Lebanon, Syria and Turkey. Some grow in other nations, along with other varieties. 

     Cedars grow on rocky slopes and ridges, at altitudes 1,300 to 9,800 feet, and in sandy clay as low as 1,600 feet. They thrive with 39 to 59 inches of rain and survive heavy snow. 

     When Solomon was building his temple, he sent 10,000 (conscripted) workers at a time to Lebanon...along with carriers, craftsmen and foremen to collect cedar wood. He and King Hiram had a deal - food for cedar. 

     In 1 Kings chapter 6, the temple was fitted with cedar in rooms, floor-to ceiling, roofs, the most holy place, the altar, and inner courtyard. No stone was to be seen.

     In chapter 7, Solomon's "Palace of the Forest of Lebanon," there were four rows of cedar columns supporting trimmed cedar beams. It was roofed with cedar, and the Hall of Justice had cedar...floor to ceiling. All structures had cedar beams, including the wall around a courtyard. 

     Book of Isaiah, 60:13, "The glory of Lebanon will come to you. The pine, the fir and the cypress together to adorn the place of my sanctuary and I will glorify the place of my feet." 

Tomorrow:  Roots Before Branches