3."God Will Surely Fulfill Jacob's Covenant"

Behold, today I have set you over the nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.
The word of the Lord came to me again, 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.” (Jeremiah 1:10-12)

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Almond tree (שקד - Shaked) = Almond, also known as the "nodding tree" (a type of apricot or almond tree)
The Hebrew word Shaked comes from the root Shakad, which means "to watch over, to be awake, to guard, to be alert."
This word was used in God’s response to Jeremiah when he saw the branch of the almond tree.
The Lord said, “You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it.” (Jeremiah 1:12)

 

First, I earnestly pray for the wisdom and revelation that the Holy Spirit gives. I abandon my own will and knowledge.

There is another passage in the Bible where Shaked (the almond tree) is used in the same way:
Jacob took fresh rods of poplar, almond, and plane trees, and peeled white streaks in them, exposing the white of the rods. And he set the rods which he had peeled before the flocks in the gutters, in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink, so that they should conceive when they came to drink. (Genesis 30:37-38)

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There are many words in this passage that we need to examine, but first, let’s look at the almond tree. The word for almond tree is recorded in Semitic (the ancient Hebrew language).
The almond tree is called Luz (ל֣וּז), which is a reference to the almond, apricot, or peach tree.
Could this just be a translation issue? The term Shaked (שקד) for the almond tree is mentioned, but now Luz (ל֣וּז) is used for the almond or apricot tree.
I believe the meaning hidden in the Bible is a secret the Lord has placed for us to discover, and we will follow that path in a bit.

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I looked up the part of the Bible where Luz (ל֣וּז) is mentioned:
“And he called the name of that place Bethel, but the name of that city was Luz previously.” (Genesis 28:19)
Luz (ל֣וּז) means almond tree, apricot tree, or peach tree.
And Luz is also mentioned as Bethel in this passage.
Bethel (בֵּֽית־אֵ֑ל) means house (בֵּית) of God (אֵ֑ל), the house of God.

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Now, let’s go back to the branch of the almond tree that Jeremiah saw...
Ah, I almost forgot to mention something important!
Jeremiah didn’t just see an almond tree; he specifically saw the branch of the almond tree.
What could the branch represent? Let’s dig deeper into this. The Hebrew word for "branch," "staff," or "rod" is Makkel(מַקֵּ֥ל).
That’s right, Jeremiah was not just seeing the almond tree, but he was seeing a branch that had not yet bloomed.

 

The word that the Lord will "watch over and fulfill" is the word of the covenant.
This refers to the covenant that was made at Bethel, a promise that the Lord will fulfill.
What is the covenant made at Bethel?
The Bible tells us:
“And behold, the Lord stood above it and said: ‘I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie, I will give to you and to your descendants. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west, the east, the north, and the south. And in you and your descendants, all the families of the earth will be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.’” (Genesis 28:13-15)

Jacob woke up from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!”
Jacob rose early in the morning, took the stone that he had put under his head, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it. He called the place Bethel, though the name of the city was previously Luz.
Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God. And this stone, which I have set up as a pillar, shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.” (Genesis 28:16-22)

 

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Although the passage is long, I could not cut any part of it and recorded it all.
First, the Lord God introduces Himself to Jacob as the God of his grandfather and father.
And at the end, although it may seem absurd, Jacob says, "If You do this for me, You will be my God."
It might sound like a ridiculous or funny story, but it seems that the Lord accepts it. (A covenant is something that is established between both parties.)

Do you see the revelation of Bethel = Luz = Almond tree = Apricot tree in the passage above?

1. The land where you are lying (Luz) will be given to you and your descendants.
2. Your descendants will become as numerous as the dust of the earth and spread in all directions.
3. All the families of the earth will be blessed because of you and your descendants.
4. Wherever you go, I will be with you.
5. I will protect you and bring you back to this land.

This is the word of the Lord God, saying He will fulfill His covenant of the almond tree.

However, there is one more thing to consider: a covenant is made between two parties.
When a couple makes vows in marriage, the husband raises his hand and makes a vow, and the wife does the same. The vow doesn't end with the words spoken, but it is kept and lived out in the relationship.
Now, let’s look at Jacob’s vow (excluding what God has already said):

1. "If You bring me back to my father’s house, then the Lord will be my God."
2. "The stone I set up as a pillar will be God’s house."
3. "I will give a tenth of everything You give me."

Jacob's covenant has been fully fulfilled.
Of course, it was accomplished because God Himself did it.
God became Jacob's Almighty God, granted him the temple, and chose the Levites from Jacob's descendants to serve in the temple.
However, what Jacob vowed was fulfilled among his own descendants.
The covenant of the almond tree branch that God promised was that Jacob's descendants would spread over all the earth, and all the nations of the earth would be blessed.
Thus, this word is not a prophecy for Jacob's time or the era of the twelve tribes.
This is because Jacob's descendants continually broke their covenant with God.

Therefore, the word spoken to Jeremiah was that Israel would scatter like dust, but this would cause the nations (the Gentiles) to be blessed.
This is why Jeremiah proclaimed, "You will be taken as captives to Babylon, but then you will live."
The powerless people were all taken as captives, but the stubborn ones resisted, thus opposing the word of the Lord.

God judged the people of Israel, but this was part of His plan to save all nations, a plan He had devised before the foundation of the world.
In Jesus' time, the Jews treated the Samaritans like foreigners, but the Jews themselves were the same.
When they were exiled to Babylon, they also lived among the Gentiles.
This is evident when we look at the words from the time of Nehemiah.
Even the Levites and the leaders were taking foreign wives.

God spoke to Jeremiah, who saw the almond tree branch, saying, "I will watch over and fulfill it." This means He was proclaiming His covenant to bring His people back from Babylon to their land.

At that time, from the perspective of the world, it seemed like the Jews, God's people, had been taken captive to Babylon. However, in reality, the Jews became like fine dust (dust, particles), dying to themselves, living the life of martyrs, and the gospel was spread to the Gentiles.

Of course, at that time, they were not preaching Jesus Christ.
They lived as the people of the Lord, serving a different King, the self-existing God, and showing how they lived set apart from the world.
They showed through their lives how their God protected and led them in a foreign land that worshiped pagan gods.
However, this was an unseen realm that we did not understand and could not see. It is only through faith in what is invisible that it has been recorded for us.

 

 

The almond tree is the first to bloom in Israel in the spring. When the white flowers begin to bloom in the fields, it signals that winter is over and spring is arriving. This represents the end of the harsh life of captivity and slavery, and the dawn of a new day.

Jeremiah saw the almond tree branch. Therefore, it also hinted at the coming of the harsh winter period, the time of tribulation. This was already foreseen in the life of Jacob. Jacob served as a servant in his uncle Laban's house, taking care of Laban's livestock.

Jacob took the green branches of the poplar, almond, and plane trees, peeled off their bark, and stripped the branches so that white patterns were visible. He set the peeled branches by the watering troughs where the flock came to drink, and when they came to drink, they mated (Genesis 30:37-38).

In this passage, Jacob wanted to return to his homeland, to his father’s house. However, because Jacob was receiving God’s blessings, Laban did not want to let him go. So, Jacob came up with a plan. Even though Laban had promised him the best quality livestock as his wages, Jacob cleverly arranged to keep the lesser quality livestock for himself. Laban, in turn, separated the spotted, speckled, and striped ones, sending them to his sons, and sent Jacob on a journey three days’ distance away, so that the remaining livestock would not end up with Jacob.

Laban’s trickery was not any less than Jacob’s! :)

 

Now, let's examine what the clever plan of Jacob symbolizes. I will share insights that go beyond general knowledge, revealed through the Holy Spirit.

The green branches of the poplar, almond, and plane trees all refer to God's people. They are the kings, the nation, and the leaders. In the Garden of God, the cedar tree cannot compare to them, nor can the fir tree match their thick branches, nor can the maple tree match their slender branches. No tree in God's garden is as beautiful as they are (Ezekiel 31:8).

In the above verse, the maple tree is translated with the same word as the poplar tree. The word "ermon" עֶרְמֹ֑ון (the plane tree) is derived from a foreign language. Simply put, this verse indicates that the trees planted in God's garden are greater than any other tree. The mighty tree, the cedar of Lebanon (Assyria), represents the pride of Assyria, which God judged. This is a warning to the Egyptian king Pharaoh, saying that his pride will lead him to be like Assyria.

Additionally, the plane tree refers to the poplar (or white poplar), and the word "Livneh" לִבְנֶ֛ה is derived from Laban. A familiar word is seen here: Laban לָבָ֔ן, the name of Jacob's uncle, who was also his father-in-law. Laban means "white," "pure," or "bright."

 

Lastly, the almond tree ל֣וּז (Luz), also known as the almond or apricot tree, is the only one among the three trees Jacob used that bears fruit. However, this tree does not bear fruit that is eaten directly; it bears seeds that are consumed. The almond tree flowers, produces fruit, and its seeds are harvested. This symbolizes the "last remaining ones," the seed of the people. There is a hidden meaning in this.

The verse says: "He made a three-day journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob tended Laban's remaining flock" (Genesis 30:36).

Three days (3 days) = שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת יָמִ֔ים (Yom, "day") and שָׁלֹש (Shalosh, "three"). Remaining = יִּוָּתֵ֥ר (Yatar, "to remain, excel, leave behind"). Tended = רֹעֶ֛ה (Ra’ah, "to feed, associate with, become a friend").

The number three (3 days) signifies an important final preparation period. During this time, the world will face a time of tribulation. Laban (symbolizing Gentile Christians) and Jacob (symbolizing the Jewish people, specifically Levi) are united as one. Genesis 30:36 speaks of this unity, symbolizing the "One New Man." These are the "remaining ones" who will carry out the mission of the two witnesses. Moreover, they will become Nazarites, who consecrate themselves and dedicate their lives to God as a sacrifice. Jesus Christ was the ultimate Nazarite who gave His life as a sacrifice. Also, the Apostle Paul spoke of offering his life as a sacrifice during his final journey.

 

To sum up, the willow tree symbolizes the Gentile Church, the poplar tree (Laban) represents the remnant Gentile Church, and the almond tree represents the remnant Jewish Church. When all the branches are taken and their bark is stripped to reveal white patterns, it signifies atonement. This is because all these trees had become places where the people had turned away from God and worshiped idols.

"My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declares unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God. They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters commit whoredom, and your spouses commit adultery." (Hosea 4:12-13)

 

The branches that were stripped and placed in the stream of water are symbolic of Jesus' cross, where He atoned for our sins. Do you see the sheep gathered at the foot of Jesus' cross...?

The white branches stripped of their bark represent Jesus Christ. On that day, "I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, and He shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land." (Jeremiah 33:15). However, Jesus' branch is the righteous one without sin, unlike the branches of all the other trees, which are sinful.

The branch (צֶ֣מַח, Tsemach) symbolizes the shoot or sprout, indicating growth, life, and the bringing of life.

The branches of idols (sticks) are dead, but Jesus' branch is a living one, giving life. This is the mystery contained in Aaron's rod.

The next day, when Moses entered the tent of testimony and looked, behold, the rod of Aaron, of the house of Levi, had sprouted and put forth buds, produced blossoms, and yielded almonds. (Numbers 17:8).

This passage shows that God promised not to break the covenant of life with the descendants of Levi, who would carry on the priesthood through Aaron's line. The rod, which was dead, began to grow and bear fruit, symbolizing life. Though God could have made it bear fruit immediately, the detailed process—sprouting, budding, flowering, and bearing almonds—seems to indicate that the growth of the Levites, who would succeed Aaron, would take a long time.

Thus, the covenant of the almond tree is filled with deep revelation. Even today, the nation of Israel (Jacob's descendants) does not believe in Jesus Christ. However, the Scriptures tell us that they will eventually repent and be saved.

Jacob took the green branches of the willow, almond, and poplar trees, stripped their bark, and set them in the watering trough where the sheep would drink, and as the sheep came to drink, they conceived (Genesis 30:37-38).

At the foot of the cross of Jesus, His mother Mary and the disciple John stood. Before Jesus passed away, He told His mother, "Behold your son." He also said that He is the source of living water, and anyone who is thirsty should come to Him and drink freely.

Notice that when the sheep came to drink, they saw the branches that had been set in place, and they became pregnant. Do you see the connection? The sheep gathered at the foot of Jesus' cross, and from where He shed His blood and water, the "sons" were produced.

"Before she was in labor, she gave birth; before her pain came upon her, she delivered a male child. Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be brought forth in one moment? For as soon as Zion was in labor, she brought forth her children." (Isaiah 66:7-8).

 

I will stop here today and continue with the conclusion in the next meditation.

There is much to prepare, and my heart feels busy with it all.

I will continue praying that I can organize everything the Lord has given me to accomplish His will.

I pray that the love of the Lord will be more deeply felt by all who read this. Blessings to you all.

Shalom.