Yeshua/Jesus is called the Tzemach of YHVH. (Most translations, at least in English, simply translate this as the “Branch”, like an appendage.) But, He is the whole Plant/Tzemach!: He is the seed sown, the root, the trunk, the branches, the leaves, flowers, and fruit – and this seed-bearing Tree, with the seed in itself/Himself produces more seeds and plants after its/His kind. He is a full tree, and tells us to be a good tree, not a bad tree; to be branches that abide in the true vine. He speaks to us as “plants”. (I call all of this, and more, the Hebrew and Messianic roots of the Christian faith.) There is lots of work and patience to being a good full seed-producing tree: good seed; good soil; sufficient water; healthy, and giving honor to the one caring for it.
Is 4:2 Tzemach of YHVH
Jer 23:5-6; 33:15-16 Righteous Branch/Tzemach to David; righeous Branch to David, and will be called YHVH our Righteousness (The Messiah, Yeshua/Jesus, is YHVH, the Name above all names!)
Zech 3:8-10; 6:12-13 YHVH’s Servant, the Tzemach; the Man whose name is Branch/Tzemach, will build the Temple of YHVH, and sit as Ruler and Priest on His throne
Gen 1:11-13, 29-31 plants of all kinds for food created on the 3rd day; all plants with seed depict resurrection life: the seed must be buried, dead, and spring up to life, with a “body” much different than the seed or its roots
Gen 3:15 the Seed of the woman (This Seed is the seed/descendant/Son of David, of Abraham, of Adam, of God: the “Plant of YHVH”.)
Jer 22:29-30 The seed (beginning of all descendants/future plants, which is contained inside the seed) of David was removed (Jehoichin/Coniah) from the throne – until HE – the Tzemach – came whose right it is; thus, God’s covenant with David is fulfilled supernaturally by YHVH’s covenantal faithfulness, through His righteousness and wisdom.
This whole Plant/Tzemach will be glorious when the Messiah and the Son of God, returns to sit on David’s throne as his heir — the Lion of the Tribe of Judah — to be King of Israel, and King of the Nations! And the nation of Israel, and the Land, will be glorious in the Lord of Glory!
Some examples from the Bible of Jesus/Yeshua, Israel, and people described as a kind, or part, of a plant:
The Tree of Life (Gen 2:8-9; Rev 2:7; 22:1-2, 14)
First fruit from the dead (Lev 23:9-17; 1Cor 15:20-23)
As a tender plant/suckling infant; as a root out of parched ground (Is 53:2)
A green tree; evergreen (Lk 23:27-31)
Good tree; bad tree (Ps 1; Mt 7:15-20; Rev 22:1-5)
A Shoot (khoter) from the stem of Jesse (Is 11:1)
A Branch (netzer) from the roots of David (Is 11:1)
The Root of David, and of Jesse (Rev 5:4-5; 22:16; Is 11:10; Rom 15:12)
Vine; branches; fruit; wine/grape juice (Is 5; Mt 21:33-44; Jn 6:47-58; 15:1-8; Lk 22:17-20; 1Cor 10:16-17; 11:23-32; Ps 128:1-4; Hos 14:4-7) Jesus/Yeshua is the vine; we are the branches. The fruit grows from the branches abiding in the vine. As in the Jewish prayer, our Father in Heaven is creating fruit of the Vine!
Olive tree (Jud 9:7-15; Ps 52:8; Zech 4:11-14; Rev 11:1-4; Jer 11:15-17; Hos 14:4-7; Rom 11:11-24; Ps 128:1-4)
Fig tree; figs (Jer 24; Mk 11:12-14, 20-24; Mt 24:32-35; Mk 13:28-31; Lk 21:29-33)
Wheat (Grain); bread/food; tares (Jn 12:23-26; Jn 6:35, 47-58; Lk 22:17-20; 1Cor 10:16-17; 11:23-32; Mt 13:24-30, 36-43; Hos 14:4-7) Yeshua/Jesus is the Bread of Life who came down from Heaven to give us living Bread for everlasting life. He died, and rose again from the grave, fulfilling the Jewish prayer: Blessed are You, O LORD/Adonai our God, King of the Universe, who brings forth Bread from the earth!
Palm tree; Cedar (Ps 92:12-15) “The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree; He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of YHVH shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and green, to declare that YHVH is upright. He is my Rock; and there is no unrighteousness in Him!”
Every plant (Mt 13:18-23; 15:13-14; Ja 1:9-11)
The Messianic roots of the Christian faith are found in the Hebrew Bible (the Tanakh). The flower and fruit of the true faith are found – revealed – in the New Testament, produced – created by YHVH God — through living faith and vital, Holy Spirit union in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is one with the Father. By us abiding in the true Vine, God will create good and glorious fruit that remains forever, and be glorified! For those who are born of God, we do/will not sin, and cannot sin, for His seed remains in him. (1Jn 3:9) In the new eternal and perfect Creation, all of the redeemed will forever truly be in the image and likeness of YHVH God! Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
