Justin Matthew Reid

Bible Teachings - The Cedars of Lebanon

The Cedars of Lebanon - the pride and strength of man vs. surrender to God
Lebanon Cedar

The Lebanon Cedar grows up to 130 feet (40m) tall with a trunk up to 8 feet (2.5m) in diameter.

1. Cedars of Lebanon as a bad thing which God condemns - cedars/trees used as a metaphor for men
A. Jeremiah 22:1-30
verse 7 - they shall cut down thy choice cedars, and cast them into the fire.

verse 13 - Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness

verse 14 - I will build me a wide house ... cieled (covered, roofed) with cedar

verse 15 - Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in cedar?

verse 23 - O inhabitant of Lebanon, that makest thy nest in the cedars

B. Isaiah 2:12-17

The day of the Lord is upon the proud and lofty cedars of Lebanon that are high and lifted up. The loftiness of men shall be bowed down and the haughtiness of men shall be made low.

C. Ezekiel 31:3, 10-11

The Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon. His heart is lifted up in his height. I have driven him out for his wickedness.

D. Zephaniah 2:13-15

He will destroy the Assyrian and uncover the cedar work.

E. Amos 2:9

Yet I destroyed the Amorite, whose height was like the height of the cedars, and he was strong as the oaks.

F. Zechariah 11:1-3

Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars. The pride of Jordan is spoiled.

2. The promise that Cedars of Lebanon (man) can be used by God instead of only receiving judgment

A. Psalm 29:5-6

The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars; yea, the Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon. He maketh them *also* to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion (mount Hermon) like a young unicorn.

B. Isaiah 29:17-19

Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?

C. Isaiah 41:17-20

I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, that they may see and know that the hand of the Lord hath done this.

3. The promise fulfilled/realized. After God tears up the proud cedar, He can then plant the humble cedar, fitted to His purpose

A. Numbers 24:5-6

How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob. Israel is like cedars beside the waters, which the Lord has planted.

B. Psalm 92:12-15

The righteous shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.

C. Psalm 104:16-17

The trees of the Lord are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which He hath planted.

D. 1 Kings 6:1, 9-10

Solomon began to build the house of the Lord. Cedar was used in the construction of the Lord's house.

E. 1 Kings 6:11-14

If you walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my Word with thee. I will dwell among the children of Israel.

F. 1 Kings 6:15-22

The whole house he overlaid with gold.

January 11th, 2009