Grape Arbors and Fig Trees

 It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and it shall be lifted up above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it, and many nations shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and shall decide disputes for strong nations far away; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore; but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid, for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken. (Micah 4:1-4 ESV).

 

One of my favorite “hiding places” when I was a youngster was in the limbs of the cluster of fig trees growing in our back yard. I know it’s a bit difficult to imagine a fig tree being big enough to climb, much less hide in, but until my Dad learned my spot, it was perfect. Most growers prune their fig tree today and they rarely reach their full height, which is as much as 20 feet tall and the same girth. It was always very thick with the big leaves giving me plenty of cover; and, the added bonus of having a tasty treat within reach didn’t hurt either.

 

This image is one of the word pictures we find in our reading today to point to full life in the kingdom of God, which Jesus will fully establish on this earth when he comes again. Other Bible passages give us similar pictures of peace and joyful abundance (cf. Isaiah 25:1-9; 65:17-25; and Revelation 21:1-5), and even now we can see signs and catch glimpses of God’s sustaining care and his work among us in this world.

 

The pressures and hectic pace of life are intensified by the dangers and deep-seated hatred among nations that we hear about in the daily news, but for all who are saved, “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard [our] hearts and [our] minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). We have a Shepherd who watches over us, and there is no need to fear. We know that although there is enmity between nations and we will face struggles in life, God is sovereign and his everlasting kingdom will prevail.

 

When you feel like finding your hiding place, remember that Jesus is within you and He will not fail to protect and keep you!