Ah, the leisure life—fresh cut flowers and lemonade! The Bible mentions gardens in verses such as Ecclesiastes 2:5 and Jeremiah 29:5 and they are obviously intended for produce: grapes, olives, fruit and more. A vine and fig tree might serve double-duty for shade, plus, people in the ancient Levant grew onions and leeks, nut trees, mint and dill, rosemary and mustard. We often read of wildflowers, yet not so much of cultivated flowers in Biblical gardens. Who had the time? Um, that would be the wealthy…. The Song of Solomon speaks of spice gardens (4:16), as well. Solomon had cherubim, palm trees and open flowers carved in the Temple in Jerusalem.
Isaiah 35:1 prophesies that the desert will blossom like a rose (in Hebrew, a tiny lily or we would say a crocus). Those who have lived or worked in the Judean Desert know of the rare winter rains which cause a blanket of tiny flowers to spring up overnight, even as the Lord has brought his people back to his land! And yes, Israel does export actual roses to Europe and yes, we can verify what was grown long ago through archaeological phytolithic research (screening excavated soil for tiny seeds).
Seedtime and harvest will never pass away and neither will God’s wonderful word which always produces! He keeps his promises and he takes care of his garden (that would be you!).
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