In late January or early February,many of the terraced hillsides of Israel aredrammatically transformed.Awaakening fron their winter sleep,almond trees burst into blossom.since it is one of the earliest tree to do so,the almond usually has a stage to itself.It's white and pink blosoms grace the wintry countryside,reminding us of Solomon word.There he compared the white hair ofold age to the almond trees that carry blossom.
In view of the almonds precocious bloom,the Hebrew word for almond has a literal meaning "awakening one".it has thus been used in the bible for a number of iustrations.Forexample the prophet Jeremiah saw in a vision an offshot,or branch of an almond tree.
Centuries before Jeremiah day,a flowering almond rod was used to identify the one whom God has chosen as high priest.A rid for each one of the 12 tribes was deposited before God in the tent of meeting.The following morning,Aaron's almond rod was not only flowering but also producedripe almonds.This almond rod was kept inside the ark of the covenant for a while as a sign to the nation to the nation not to ever murmur against Gods appointed representatives.God desired that the representations of the almonds beautiful blooms embellish the seven branches Golden lampstand that illuminated the holy place of the terbanacle.According to the description that Moses recorded,three cups shaped like flowers of almond were on the other day of branches with knobs and blossoms alternating.That is how it is for the six branches running out from the lampstand.And on the lampstand,there were four cups shaped like flowers of almond with its knob and it's blossoms alternating.
Although the bible,makes few references to the almond tree,it does draw our attention to its beautiful white blossomsand it's early awakening.This attractive tree reminds us,above all God will not rest until he accomplish his purpose.
Thank you.