The Almond Trees Are Blossoming

The day is damp, cold, and quite uncomfortable in Jerusalem. Of course, it's January 26th. It is winter!

Yet, the almond trees are beginning to blossom. Their tiny blossoms are exceptionally white against the gray sky. Streaked in pink and accompanied by their green leaves, the almond tree is the first promise of spring in the land.

Reminded of the words of the prophet Jeremiah, I found the text upon my arrival back at the hotel (Jeremiah 1:11-12):

The word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Jeremiah, what do you see?" And I said, "I see a branch of an almond tree." Then the Lord said to me, "You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it."

At home in Mississippi, the Japanese magnolia is our first promise of spring. I always welcome its buds as a sign of things to come. Today in Jerusalem, I saw the almond tree in the same way.

Exploring the footnote in my Bible, I notice that the Hebrew word for "watch" sounds like the word for "almond tree." Thus God reinforces his message to Jeremiah and God's people. As the almond tree is the sign of the future harvest, so God's word will be brought to fulfillment.

Just as we watch eagerly for another spring, let us watch and pray for the future fulfillment of God's word.