“…and if the root be holy, so are the branches” (Rom. 11:16).
THE ROOT SYSTEM
The condition of our lives and the health of our root systems are a direct result of what we have chosen to focus on. Keeping our eyes on the covenant document (BIBLE) and doing as the agreement demands, keeps us pure and separated, giving us the ability to bear good and healthy fruit. We, like trees, have roots. If we are guarding His words, our roots are strong and deep and our tree becomes healthy. If we take our eyes off of His Word and distrust Him or doubt Him in any way, our roots weaken and our tree becomes unhealthy and produces bad fruit or no fruit at all.
Sadly, but surely, distrusting Him and His terms of covenant causes darkness to begin to grow inside of us. And left unchecked, that darkness will damage or destroy us.
BITTER ROOTS
We are admonished in Deut. 29:18 to not let our GUARD down and get sidetracked, lest we face the danger of a poisonous root growing within us that produces gall and wormwood (bitterness and death). This kind of root not only poisons us, but also everyone in our path. The New Ungers Bible Dictionary describes wormwood as, “a bitter plant that grows in waste, usually desert places, and also an emblem of calamity.” (pg. 1341) A recent report says that Wormwood has been banned from many countries, including the United States. (WebMD)
WATER FOR THE ROOTS
The Word of God is water from Heaven for our life-giving root system. John the Revelator was given a vision of what was happening and is still happening in Heaven. He was shown, “a pure river of Water of Life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb” (Rev. 22:1). This water is available for all of us today. God fulfills His Covenant promises EVERY day. The Hebrew writer says, “the earth drinks in the rain that comes often upon it, and brings forth plants fit for those by whom it is dressed receiving blessing from God” (Heb. 6:7).
We must also take heed because the writer also says, “that which bears thorns and briers is rejected and is a curse, whose end is to be burned” (Heb. 6:8).
We must continually see both the benefits of obeying covenant terms and the consequences of disobedience. Too much focus on the benefits can make us complacent and thus find Gods disfavor; too much focus on the consequences of breaking covenant may bring us discouragement, displeasing Him by our lack of faith.
The Word of God called “Torah” in Hebrew, means instruction. The ROOT of the word Torah is the word “Yarah” which means to flow like water, or to RAIN. Without rain, nothing can produce fruit. This rain from Heaven is our manual for everyday life. When we follow the lessons of Torah, applying them as if we were mini-farms, we produce good crops. Respecting the water of life will bring us good crops and all the reward that comes with them (Prov. 13:13).
