Meaning of CEDAR

Famous tree of Lebanon (1 Kings 5:6), large and impressive (Is. 2:13; Ez. 17:22; 31:3).

Famous tree of Lebanon (1 Kings 5:6), large and impressive (Is. 2:13; Ez. 17:22; 31:3).

It provided highly prized wood for the construction of palaces and temples (2 Samuel 5:11; 1 Kings 5:5, 6; 7:1-12; Ezra 3:7); Columns, beams, and planks were carved from this wood (1 Kings 6:9, 10, 18; 7:2, 7); idols were made of it (Is. 34:14); masts for ships (Ez. 27:5).

The cedar gives off a perfume (Song. 4:11; Hos. 14:6); This wood was used in the purification ceremony (Lev. 14:4; Num. 19:6). The tree mentioned is evidently the cedar of Lebanon, 'Abies cedrus' or 'Cedrus Iibani'.

It is a powerful tree with long, spreading and twisted branches, with evergreen leaves; It continues to grow wild in Lebanon and in the Taurus Mountains. Another species of cedar grows in the Himalayas, the “Cedrus Deodara”.

The only people in Israel who did recognize Christ at His birth were humble, unremarkable people.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Unexpected Savior

John MacArthur

Scripture records that when John the Baptist began his ministry, “The people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not” (Luke 3:15).

In the incarnation, God spanned the vast chasm of fear that had distanced him from his human creation

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Reflections on the Incarnation and Freedom of God

Philip Yancey

Think of the condescension involved: the incarnation, which sliced history into two parts had more animal than human witnesses. Think, too, of the risk. In the incarnation, God spanned the vast chasm of fear that had distanced him from his human creation.

Remember that His presence can be experienced. His promise is as true as ever.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Blessing of the Presence of Jesus

Charles Spurgeon

He is as certainly with us now as He was with the disciples at the lake when they saw coals of fire, fish on the coals, and bread (John 21:9). Not physically, but still in real truth, Jesus is with us!

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

God’s Awesome Love

Charles Stanley

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. With great awe and in complete reverence, the shepherds looked upon the baby Jesus. It was true.

The clear claim of Scripture, and Mary’s own testimony, is that she had never been physically intimate with any man.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Announcement to Mary

John Macarthur

When we first meet Mary in Luke’s gospel, it is on the occasion when an archangel appeared to her suddenly and without fanfare to disclose to her God’s wonderful plan.