Parable of the trees
In the Parable of the Trees (Judges 9:8-15), the trees seek a ruler, and the noble trees—Olive, Fig, and Vine—each refuse, while the Bramble accepts. Understood through the lens that God's love (bramble) is His controlling attribute, we see how He constrains all His other attributes by love:
- The Olive Tree – His Divine Nature (Oil) The olive tree represents His divinity, producing oil that signifies anointing and sovereignty. Yet, God limits His sovereignty by love, choosing not to rule in sheer might but through the incarnation. Instead of forcing His reign upon creation, He humbles Himself, veiling His divinity in human flesh (Philippians 2:6-8). Love restrains absolute power so that He may come as a servant rather than a conqueror.
- The Fig Tree – His Holiness and Judgment (The Cross) The fig tree, symbolizing His righteousness and judgment, displays the cross—where holiness and love meet. The law demands judgment, but love constrains judgment, leading Christ to bear the penalty instead of executing it. He does not rule through the terror of holiness but through the sacrifice that absorbs judgment in love.
- The Vine – His Grace (Wine) The vine, producing wine, represents His grace—freely given but not uncontrolled. Too much grace without love’s restraint leads to mockery (“wine is a mocker” – Proverbs 20:1). Love moderates grace, ensuring it is given with wisdom. God does not extend grace recklessly but with purpose, maintaining the balance between mercy and justice.
- The Bramble – His Love, the Greatest Attribute Finally, the bramble, representing His love, is the only one willing to rule. Unlike the noble trees, which produce valuable fruit, the bramble is seemingly weak and unimpressive. Yet, this is the paradox of God’s kingdom—love, though it appears weak, is the foundation of all He does. The bramble offers shade (protection), but it also warns of consuming fire if misused. God’s love protects, but it also refines and purifies.
Thus, love governs all His attributes:
- Sovereignty is limited by love (incarnation).
- Judgment is limited by love (the cross).
- Grace is limited by love (wisdom in giving grace).
- Love itself becomes his ruling attribute.
This interpretation aligns with the Parable of the Sower, where thorns represent His love, not as a hindrance but as a reality check—unrestrained desires (cares of the world) distort love. The bramble's fire is a warning: rejecting love results in self-destruction.
So, in the Parable of the Trees, the greatest attribute is love, which rules over all others. The bramble may seem an unlikely king, but it reveals the true nature of God’s rule: a kingdom where love is supreme, limiting even His own divine attributes for our sake.
