Question: In the Bible, trees are central. Why, do you think, God the Son was made to die upon the tree? It’s reflexive and flippant to say, “Well, because that was Rome’s way: crucifixion.”

Anyone who has spent even an inkling of time in Scripture and history recognizes there is much more going on here.

On the Track: Today I got in a few miles in on the track. One of the many beautiful trees left standing was this one. The second one is one (or perhaps more than one) you have seen before, as it is/they are what I see in the evenings as I return from work.

Question: Is it possible God speaks through timber, through the rooted message that springs from his earth’s timber, hangs upon his timber, and fashions that timber to honor his victory? As for me, you can likely induce my view. God speaks, dear ones. One need only ears to hear and eyes to see. And then: praise.

As I was in Ezekiel’s book later in the day, I was again prodded to think on these things. God spoke to his prophet Ezekiel thus:

²² Thus says the Lord God: “I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and will set it out. I will break off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. ²³ On the mountain height of Israel will I plant it, that it may bear branches and produce fruit and become a noble cedar. And under it will dwell every kind of bird; in the shade of its branches birds of every sort will nest. ²⁴ And all the trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord; I bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it.” (Ezekiel 17:22-24 ESV).