When my oldest daughter was in 3rd grade, she learned about idioms. Idioms (in case you don’t remember) are phrases that are commonly used but aren’t literal in their meaning. For example, “break a leg”, “bite the bullet”, and “a piece of cake” are all common English idioms. If you’re wondering why I know so much about idioms, you try talking to a 3rd grader who just learned what they are! You’ll get it sorted out in two shakes of a lamb’s tail (another idiom by the way).
Idioms are not, of course, exclusive to English. All throughout the Hebrew Bible there are idioms which, if understood as such, illuminate the meaning of the text in a rich way. One that I find particularly helpful to know is found in the story of Solomon, Son of David and King of Israel: “During Solomon’s lifetime Judah and Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, lived in safety, everyone under their own vine and under their own fig tree.”
That phrase, the one about being under the vine and under the fig tree, is a classic Hebrew idiom. In this passage, we can see it’s meaning quite plainly. To be “under the fig tree” was a sign of peace, prosperity, and justice. In other words, the author wants to convey here that during the reign of Solomon, everything was as it was meant to be.
This expression comes up time and again. The prophet Micah, for instance, says that when Messiah comes, “Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken.” (Micah 4:4)
Similarly, Zechariah says “In that day each of you will invite your neighbor to sit under your vine and fig tree,’ declares the Lord Almighty.” (Zechariah 3:10)
All of us sit in the tension of this promise. It has been realized through the coming of Jesus who makes a way to live in his Kingdom. But, it has also yet to be fulfilled. Our world is full of hurt and heartbreak. In many ways, everything is definitely not as it was intended to be.
One helpful (and hopefully encouraging) takeaway for today is to acknowledge that there is a longing in the human heart to be “under the fig tree”. And many of us have been given a taste of what that is like in our own lives. Every person you meet today has, to a greater or lesser extent, a desire to live in peace and prosperity and joy. As you go about your day, invite your neighbor under your fig tree. Make it a point to extend the kindness and grace of the Kingdom everywhere you go.
P.S. This post was originally published in the print edition of the Kingsport Times News
P.P.S. I think this sets the stage for a really interesting discussion of the interaction between Jesus and Nathaneal in John 1. I didn't include it in the original writing for a few reasons...1) I was already past my word count. 2) It seemed an unnecessary digression to the point I was making here. 3) This can be a slightly controversial take and my goal in the newspaper is not to cause division but to bring unity. So, all that to say, when Jesus tells Nathanael that he "saw him under the fig tree" (you can read this interaction here), I think this Old Testament backdrop is in play. The common interpretation is that Jesus had some intimate knowledge of Nathanael that only God would know, thus Nate's response. While that may be in play, I think this idiom is also in play...Jesus is telling Nate that the time of the Messiah has come and he wants Nate to be his disciple.
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