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Thorns and Thistles - a Deeper Meaning

 

 

When the words “thorns and thistles” appear in the Bible, people often just interpret them as something evil. However, if we take a closer examination, these words could have a much deeper meaning.

 

 

Origin of Thorns and Thistles

 

When God created the world, everything was “good” or “very good” (Genesis 1), so where did these thorns and thistles come from? The Bible recorded that the first time they appeared was after Adam and Eve had sinned.

 

Then to Adam the Lord said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: “Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground. ~ Genesis 3:17-19

 

The Lord cursed the ground because of Adam’s sin! This puts enmity between Mankind (Adam) and the Earth (ground). Instead of the earth producing fruits freely for Adam’s consumption, Adam now has to work hard to till (force open) the ground to plant his crops. If the land is left unattended, thorns and thistles will grow which not only are useless for Man's consumption, but they will even damage other healthy crops that Man have cultivated.

 

 

Enmity Between Crops and Thorns

 

“Crops” and “Thorns” were then often used in the Bible to symbolise godly people and evil people.

 

When a good seed (Word of God) is sown, it will produce peace, joy, love and other virtues among the people. If the “land” is unattended or poorly attended, Satan will come to sow his seeds of jealously, violence, hatred and other evil thoughts to occupy the land and to persecute God’s children.

 

 

Crown of Thorns

 

Crops (godly people) and thorns (evil people) are often difficult to discern because they may look like one another at the surface. Some of them may even be our close friends or family members! It is therefore difficult to identify them unless we are guided by the Holy Spirit and have deeper knowledge of their words and deeds.

 

In the "Parable of the Sower" (Matthew 13:1-8), it was the thorns that sprang up which choked the plants! It is also note worthy that when Jesus walked on the earth, He has already overcome Satan and cast out every evil spirit. In the end, it was the Jews, His own brothers and kinsmen who betrayed Him and insisted on killing Him. Before the crucifixion of Jesus, it was even recorded that a “crown of thorns” was put on His head. In the same way, He was crushed by evil mankind who had purposely or unknowingly followed the devil.

 

 

What to Do with Thorns and Thistles

 

When we are disturbed by these thorns and thistles, what should we do? Should we fight back and destroy them? I think the Lord has given us a good example on what we can do in these situations. 

 

Fury is not in Me. Who would set briers and thorns against Me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together. Or let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me. ~ Isaiah 27:4-5

 

Do not let anger or any other emotions blind us! We need to fight them, but first give them a chance to make peace with us. Yes, first believe that they will make peace with us.

 

 

Judgement on Thorns and Thistles

 

However, if they refuse to change and continue in their evil ways, the Scripture has made it very clear what is going to happen to them in the end.

 

For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. ~ Hebrews 6:7-8

 

We have all received equally the rain of blessings from God. If we choose to produce useful crops and fruits, we will be blessed! However, if one chooses to produce evil, judgement will certainly be waiting for him. Let us therefore take heed of these warnings and choose what is right and receive our reward!

 

 

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