ISAIAH 55:13 - "Metamorphose"

"Instead of thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a Name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off." Let's take a moment and dissect this verse a little. There is only one thing that God will exalt above His Name, and that is His Word. But if we back up a few verses, we see that God is speaking about His Word in verses 10 and 11; which then led to verse 12, and the manifestation of Joy and Peace. So what are thorns and briers? If we look at what they are to us, as regular everyday people, they are easy to figure out; they are annoying. What are they good for? Absolutely nothing; except of course, to make us appreciate when they are not there. If you can imagine how it feels when you get stuck in one of these bushes; they can hurt. So then, what do they mean for God? Pretty much the same thing; worthless, thorny bushes, that just cause Him pain; they just make things difficult and get in the way. If we look these two words up in the Hebrew dictionary, they are both quite similar in meaning. Thorn is: 'Naatsuwts'; which means to prick; a brier; a thicket of thorny bushes. Brier is: 'Carpad'; a nettle (as stinging like a burn). If you have ever fallen into one of these bushes, you would know that that pretty much sums it up. They are prickly, thorny bushes, that will sting like a burn if you get into it; in other words, they are something that causes pain and anguish. Which is much like the 'curse' that God bestowed upon man in the Garden; that with pain and anguish, he would live out his days. But for God, we can become thorns and briers to Him, by the way we treat Him; by following other gods, and by worshipping idols. Now then; What are fir trees and Myrtle trees? Fir trees are typically trees which can be used for lumber; to be used for building something, like a house. Myrtle trees are trees that produce a flower, and are very beautiful to look upon. There is quite a contrast between thorns and briers, and these two types of trees. Thorns and briers just cause pain and anguish; while fir trees and Myrtle trees, can be used for something and can be admired. But this illustration can really go a whole lot further than that...as we shall see! "Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard Him, and observed Him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy Fruit found." (Hosea 14:8)