Tamarisk Trees

Reading: Genesis 15-21

"32 Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba. So Abimelech rose with Phichol, the commander of his army, and they returned to the land of the Philistines. 33 Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there called on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God. 34 And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines many days. (emphasis mine)"

This can explained by the following quote:

"Why did Abraham plant a tamarisk? Trees were often used as memorials for great men. It is therefore appropriate that Abraham should honor God by planting the tamarisk. It would be a permanent memorial of the covenant between the two."*

In the same way, we should preserve forests and habitat for God's glory and plant trees to restore his creation in honour of Him and in memory of our recognition of our role as stewards of creation.

Note also that Abraham planted a tamarisk tree- a tree common in the Beersheba region- not a great Cedar or some other plant that may have seemed appropriate but was exotic to the region. We should also remember to do our research into the plants that actually lived in our area before planting. Thus we can prevent mistakes like planting forests where naturally there was in fact grassland (trust me, it has happened!).

*http://www.odu.edu/~lmusselm/plant/bible/tamarix.php