SYCAMINE Tree VS MULBERRY Tree
Is the sycamine and the mulberry tree the same? If not, why is one used as a substitute in another version of the bible. If so, why did they just not use the same tree for reference?
LUKE 17: 6 nkjv
So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you..
LUKE 17.6 kjv
And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
When writing each version of the bible some will put items in the place of others to help us refer, or grasp the point. Like if the bible were written now the parables would be about oak trees, electronics or the food and plants that we are familiar with in these times. It would not take away from the verse.
The Sycamine Tree
You will notice the Sycamine tree has massive roots, they are exposed and they are intertwined with each other. They appear like nothing could get through them. They appear like they holding the entire tree up from the root system on the surface. They appear mighty and strong. When chopped or cut the root system will birth new life, and flourish and grow even more. The roots continue to grow and sprout new trees from the exposed roots. It has beautiful berries on it. They appear delicious and catch the eye immediately because they are bright and bold. However the berries are very bitter and not good to eat. It does not mean they are not eaten. In these times when the KJV was referenced/written for many that was all they had to eat some days. They would take a bite at a time, not to starve. Still today when these berries are seen, the appearance ( look and color ) causes you to take one bite. You may even be handed one from a family member or friend to share the tradition or tap into the "back in the day" story. Either way it looks so good you will be enticed to take that bite thinking this has to be good, just look at it. Especially if you starving in the wilderness.
The Mulberry Tree
The Mulberry tree has a massive root system as well, however it is mostly deep rooted in the ground. Revealing its strength and growth through time. Having roots that go down so deep that they are not affected by the heat. If it does not rain, it does not affect them. These trees reach their water source from the roots and the foundation within the root system. They have berries on them that supply food to someone in the wilderness or in their own back yard. They taste amazing. You can not see the fruits from a far. However you will go to it because of it's fruit. Why? Because you know that the mulberry tree has mulberries. This tree is known by it's fruits. This tree is also known to spread. When you chop it down, or even when uprooted from a storm. The roots fine a way and sprout again. The one and only way to get rid of a mulberry tree for good is to catch it as a new growth and shovel it out. Otherwise it will keep popping right back up. It's root system is deep and no matter how dead it appears from the world around it. It always seems to have that foundation, that rooted system to sprout back up again.
IN LUKE 17:6 THE DISCIPLIES WERE ASKING ABOUT FAITH.
JESUS TOLD THEM YOU CAN SAY TO THIS TREE GET UP AND IT WILL GO HE WAS LETTING YOU KNOW NO MATTER HOW ROOTED THE SYCAMINE TREE OR THE MULBERRY TREE ..... THE BITTER HORRIBLE THING OR THE BEAUFUL TASTEFUL THING IN YOUR LIFE... you can still grow.... you can still move it.... you just have to have faith!
Not faith in the situation. Not faith in yourself... Not faith that the person, place or thing will change. Faith that Jesus has a plan, Jesus has a promise and Jesus will take care of it. IF you seek Him first and IF you ask Him.
That is faith. It is ok if you can not trust them. You can always trust Him!
You ever thought you had the best opportunity in a relationship, job, friendship. The idea and the image of it was grand from a far. It was what you been wanting. It appeared to be the perfect person, place or thing. So you just jumped in with haste and you do not seek God first. You immediately think this is God. He knew my heart and here it is.
But God's word says seek me first. So what would it hurt to say thank you God first. What would it hurt to ask God to show you that this is you God. I mean you call and post to the friends and family. We can agree we had time for that, right. We decided to seek the creation not the Creator. The one that appeared to have given us the thing, person, place. The one that appeared to be the first to need to know. But not the one that Created it all. He gets left out.
Why, you were so hungry for it. Starving even. You did not want to hear this is bitter not better. You wanted the congrats and the show. Not the bond to grow. So you go and you take that bite. Little by little you notice how bitter it is. But you love the look of it, so you keep on eating of it. Then next thing you know. You have a mess.
Most often what looks to be to good to be true is, if and only if your cup is not full. If and only if you not seeking God first. If and only if you doing things in haste. If and only if, you just you ignore God's warning with that bitter taste. Saying get away, my child this is not for you.
Just like the Mulberry tree satan comes after that new baby, that new teen, that new relationship, that new job, that new faith. He knows if he can not stop the root system, then no matter what that person will come back to God. God will be embedded enough in them that they will know He is God and they have Him. The devil knows their roots will look for that water deep in the pressure of the dry ground and He knows they will find that living water. He knows the heat may feel Hot but he knows that other trees will shade it and protect it with the power of faith and God.
These two different trees do not distract you from the point in this verse yet they are very different . The point remains they both have a strong root system. One that is impossible to uproot in bitterness or in fruitfulness by site. But when you walk by faith you can say to that tree get out my way. I am going God's way only no matter how rooted, and not matter how it taste.
Jill Deville
Author & Speaker
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