Tree of Life – Proverbs 11:30

There is a very helpful article on VeryWellHealth.com about the theories of aging.  It puts them into two categories, programmed and error theories.  Programmed theories believe aging is planned and intentional, while error theories believe the body is wearing out or being damaged and that’s why we age.  Is there a Biblical theory?  The tree of life plays a part in thinking about the Biblical theory of aging.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,

and whoever captures souls is wise. (Proverbs 11:30, ESV)

There were two trees growing in the middle of the garden, one from which Adam and Eve were allowed to eat and one whose fruit was forbidden.  When they ate from the forbidden tree they were also barred from eating of the tree of life, lest, God said, they should live forever.  The tree of life was a vegetation whose fruit gave Adam and Eve the ability to live forever, doing something in their bodies that prevented the degeneration of death.

Righteous people have a tree-of-life impact on others.  Whereas others might find themselves on a path that leads to death, the righteous offer an alternative that people can avail themselves of and find eternal life.  The proverb calls this capturing souls.  “Whoever captures souls is wise” and demonstrates their wisdom by bearing the fruit of righteousness.  They bear love, kindness, honesty, loyal friendship, industriousness, healing tongues, listening ears, helpful feet and gentle hands.

Their hands reach out to those who are lost to wisdom and show them the way.  There is no better example of this than Jesus.  Somehow he became friends with the most unlikely of people: tax-gatherers, prostitutes, Pharisees, fishermen, demon possessed, political zealots, and children.  He captured souls for the kingdom of God.  He gave eternal life to those who “ate” of his leaves.  Follow his lead.

Lord Jesus, teach me to capture souls like you did.  Teach me to bear righteous leaves like the tree of life and be a tree of life to others.  Show me today someone whom I can capture and help with your wisdom.