https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p09m0v4x/extinct-tree-from-the-time-of-jesus-rises-from-the-dead

The link above is for a very interesting video about the Judean date palm tree. I really recommend it. It’s about 8 minutes long, but if you don’t have the time to sit for a few minutes to watch it, here is a very brief summary of it.

When archeologists were excavating Masada (a hilltop in Israel, a whole story in itself), they discovered a stash of seeds from that time (about 2,000 years ago).  Among the seeds were seeds of the Judean date palm tree which had gone extinct during the time of the Crusades.  It had been very valuable and famous in its day and represented prosperity and health to the people.  The dates were given as gifts to emperors etc.  They also had medicinal qualities.  A few years ago a woman in modern day Israel asked for some of those seeds and she worked with another woman who managed to rehydrate the seeds and one of them grew.  They called that tree Methuselah.  However, to get dates, you need both male and female trees, and so they tried growing more and they ended up with “Hannah” and “Judith.”  They also got “Adam,” “Jeremiah,” and “Jonah.”  Methuselah and Hannah ended up having baby dates which have been kept for research for the moment.

This story is not only an interesting experiment in plant science, but it is also a parable for the times we are living in. Imagine that! Something that lived in the time of Jesus is being resurrected in our days! I believe that God is resurrecting the truths that Jesus taught in His people all around the world today, and they are living them and bearing good fruit! When you look at it that way, it is so encouraging. Just like these women have persevered through the setbacks of their efforts, we have to do the same. We can be encouraged by all of the little things that God brings to us throughout the day to uplift our spirits. One day, we will be rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Psalm 126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

This next Scripture is very interesting in this context. This seed has been lying dormant for 2,000 years. It was extinct and now it is coming back and will bear MUCH fruit.

John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.