"A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and STREAMS FROM LEBANON" (Songs of Solomon 4:15)
Ancient biblical Lebanon was one of the sweetest places in all the land of Canaan (Isaiah 29:17), which had a white, snow-capped mountain range (Jeremiah 18:14) whose upward movement exhibited craggy terrain. The pathway to the summit is not for the feet of babes; it is rather fit for those lion-like men (2 Samuel 23:20) and those men of experience who, by reason of use, have had their feet made like hind's feet so that they may stand on their high places; "He makes my feet like hinds' feet, and set me upon my high places"(Psalms 18:33).
Mount Lebanon grew tall cedar trees that were full of sap that the Lord planted (Psalm 104:16). The cedar tree of Lebanon, which is featured on the modern flag of Lebanon, was prized because of its high-quality, fragrant timber. King Solomon used cedar trees from Lebanon in the construction of the temple, as well as the building of his palace, which was called "the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon" (1 Kings 5:5–6; 7:1–3). To collect the massive amount of lumber needed for the temple and palace, 30,000 Israelite men were conscripted and sent to Lebanon for one month at a time (1 Kings 5:13–14). Hiram, king of Tyre, had his workers cut the trees, haul the logs to the sea, and float them to a place where Solomon’s men could collect them (1 Kings 5:8–9).
These trees are peculiarly the Lord's trees (Psalm 104:16), because they owe their planting entirely to Him. There was no diligent hand digging in the soil, no careful husbandman dropping in the fruitful cone. Probably, the waters of the tremendous deluge washed up the cones and laid them safely upon the ledge of rock at the top of the hill, and there they sprouted and grew. We must leave the early planting of those mighty trees among the secrets that belong to God.
The cedars of Lebanon are kept and preserved by God; and He does the same to us (His people) that He redeemed (Psalms 111:9); "for he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves" (Colossians 1:13). He preserves Christians, who are exposed daily to satanic temptations and stern afflictions of life, and serves as the only protection (Psalm 91:1), rooted and built up in him (Colossians 2:7) in order to increase the fruits of our righteousness (2 Corinthians 9:10).
Brethren, Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him (Colossians 2:7) The cedar trees are not dependent upon man for their watering. Nearby trees in the plain are nourished by small canals running at their roots, and they thrive; but who will find a stream for these trees on Mount Lebanon's summit? Who shall bring the rivers of water to their feet? The trees stand on lofty rocks, not moistened by human irrigation, and yet our heavenly Father supplies them. The clouds that hover around them supply their branches with water, and God commands the rain to shower on the cedars in their due season, the first rain and the latter rain (Deuteronomy 11:14), so that the famous wine of Lebanon (Hosea 14:7) can be produced. What a great God!
The Origin of the "streams from Lebanon"
Where is the origin of this magnificent stream that flows on Lebanon's mountain ridge that is about 6000 feet above sea level? Could it be from the excess rainfall? The ledges of the rock retain the streamlets which trickle from Lebanon’s snowy peaks, and then the roots of the cedar drink up the nourishment that they require.
The snow frequently lies upon the cedar tree branches in enormous masses. Where could this stream come from? It is so visible to the people on the plain. This mystery is only known to God, who is the fountain of the stream of Lebanon, enclosed in His garden (Songs of Solomon 4:15).
Christians are the "STREAMS FROM LEBANON", whose pure graces flow from God and impart the people down the valley (unbelievers) with a great outpouring of Holy Spirit to pull down the gates of hell (Matthew 16:18) on their way and give the nourished waters to save souls.
1. A CITY ON A HILL CANNOT BE HIDDEN.
The streams that flow from the mount are not hidden, neither are the cedars. Why should you hide yourself, my Christian friend? Why would you keep your Christian identity and not profess it to the unbelievers through your fruits (Matthew 7:16)?
We are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14). We are located on the hill to give light to others, show them the way of salvation, and pull them out of the sinful fire (Jude 1:23). You that are saved, rise for the salvation of others (Acts 13:47).
We must shine wherever we go. Don't allow the walls of your church to confine you. Just as we do not hide the Spirit of God away from our lives, the church (where we come together for fellowship, growth, and praise) isn’t made to hide us from the world. Let us arise and shine (Isaiah 60:1).
The "STREAMS FROM LEBANON" Christians are the ones who find God’s steadfast love better than life (Psalm 63:3), who consistently love others in both word and deed (1 John 3:18), and whose actions have demonstrated that they truly consider others more significant than themselves (Philippians 2:3). We shouldn't hide our light away from the world. Let us show love to others and show them the way of salvation so that they can see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven (Matthew 5:16).
In deeds and words, reveal your true identity and profess your Christian faith. A Christian can be known by his fruits (Matthew 7:16). "Whoever therefore confesses me before men, I will also confess before my Father in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven " (Matthew 10:32-33).
2. DON'T WITHHOLD THE TRUTH FROM OTHERS
It is a sin to hide the truth that God has bestowed upon us for the good of others, and it's not ideal, however, to keep back Jesus Christ, THE TRUTH (John 14:6), which is precious to ourselves; this is a sin against our kind, and an offense against God. Christians, the redeemed of the Lord, the streams from Lebanon, carry the truth from the throne of Grace.
Let us speak the truth, for grievous wolves have entered the church to devour the young Christians and perverse things are being used to pull off men of God from the truth (Acts 20:29-30). Speak of God's works, the mysteries of divine nurturing of the cedar trees that you have seen on Mount Lebanon; tell the new generation of His mighty acts; tell the truth written in the scriptures (Acts 4:20).
Do not keep the truth hidden from yourself or close your eyes to the evidence of it; instead, share your knowledge of the truth with your neighbors, friends, and even your adversary. We should not be ashamed to profess the true religion of God; neither should we deny the truth but hold fast and live up to it in our life's principles and conversations.
" For I have not shunned to declare to you all the counsel of God" (Acts 20:27); "I kept back nothing that was profitable to you, but have shown you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house" (Acts 20:20).
3. ARE YOU ASHAMED OF JESUS CHRIST, LEBANON STREAMS?
"For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels" (Luke 9:26).
Jesus is not ashamed to refer to us as his brothers (Hebrews 2:11), and He died for the sins that we have committed, thus taking our shame. Are you ashamed to (ever) mention Jesus in a post on social media? Or read a bible on the train? You may even be ashamed to place a Bible on your desk in the office. Do you live among non-Christians and feel like a lone ranger? Jesus is there with you. He promises to always be with you and not abandon you (Hebrews 13:5).
Don't be ashamed to mention the name "Jesus" when you are with people who aren't Christian, and always remain bold in proclaiming the Gospel (Romans 1:16).
Speak! If you don't have a trumpet tongue, let that small voice do the talking. Do not hide the words of the Most High, the testimony of His works on Mount Lebanon (Psalm 78:56), but write to Jesus Christ earnestly and lovingly. You can also circulate what has been written by other people, send tracts and sermons in a readable form. Sometimes you may write out part of a Christian tract, and it will attract others through your own handwriting.
Assist and support others who have greater writing abilities. It is not given to everyone to preach to large numbers, or to preach at all, but you can often pick up a young man and say, "I will help and support him to preach the word of God, and improve his writing and teaching skills." You can send anonymous gifts to encourage them.
"I will speak of your testimonies also before kings, and I will not be ashamed" (Psalm 119:46).
4. APPLY YOUR TALENT TO THE GOSPEL
"For to every one that has shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but from him that has not shall be taken away even that which he has, and cast you, the unprofitable servant, into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 25:29-30).
Do not hide your talents, those precious gifts that you got from the cedar trees, from the hills of Mount Lebanon, which come down from the Father of all lights (James 1:17). Bring it down the hills through the flowing streams of Lebanon. Deal with it, multiply it, and you will bring good profit to Almighty God.
Learn from Christ Jesus' parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) and see the reward of the slothful and be wise. In the parable, one servant was given five talents (a sum of money), another two talents, and another one talent to take care of while their master was away. The first two servants used their talents and were rewarded with praise and more money from their investment, but the servant who hid his one talent (because of his timidity) was rebuked and had it taken away (Matthew 25:28).
God intended for us to use the talents He gave us. He had well nurtured us with various gifts and talents for the advancement of God's kingdom; He is the Father of all lights and the source of all "STREAMS FROM LEBANON". He would not give us a talent without giving us the opportunity to express it. We are capable of expressing these lovely talents because we are never separate from our source (John 15:5).
Yes, God wants us to use our talents to praise and glorify him! And the parable promises that if we do use them, they will grow and we will be rewarded.
We must be willing to work, like the two servants who used their talents and multiplied them. We have to pray and listen for God's direction, and keep remembering that God is our only source of inspiration, strength, and ability that are fully embedded in the STREAMS FROM LEBANON.
5. ASSIST THE AFFLICTED ONES
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those that are bruised" (Luke 4:18).
Some of us keep ourselves separate from others and couldn't console those who are deeply afflicted. We have enormous virtues hidden in that stream that flows continuously from Mount Lebanon. Please go as physicians in the midst of the sick, as torchbearers in the midst of darkness. Go out as losers of the bonds among the captives, as openers of prison doors among those that are bound in deep sin.
Pour the water of your streams on their souls and give them hope in Christ Jesus (Psalm 31:24). Remember, "He who waters will also be watered himself" (Proverbs 11:25).
6. BE FREE TO SHOW LOVE
The "streams from Lebanon" were freer than the brook, which leaps along the mountain side. There the bird wets its wings; there the red deer comes to drink; and even that wild beast of Lebanon (2Kings 14:9) comes there, and without let or hindrance, slakes its thirst.
It belongs to no one; it is free to all. Anyone who passes by it can stoop there and get refreshed from the mountain stream. Fellow brethren, let us carry a sense of piety in our relationships with others. A light loses none of its own lustre when others are lit by its flame. Remember that you will earn riches by giving riches away, and that giving away will increase your wealth.
Don't send that fellow brother away who needs a word of advice. Embrace that homeless sister with God's love. Revelations 3:20 says, "Open the door of your heart," just as God opens the streams from the mountain and floods our hearts with abundant grace.
The fellow sinner is knocking on your door. Do not say, "Depart from me, you cursed," (Matthew 25:41) nor slam the door against the sinner's face with "What are you doing here?" (Isaiah 22:16) Rather, welcome him/her and say, "Come in, O blessed of the Lord! Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house... " (Genesis 24:31).
Though we should be shut up in our inner lives, let every wall be broken down as to the outer life. We must be hidden springs within, but let us be sweetly flowing rivulets without, giving drink to every passerby.
7. WE ARE THE BATTLE AXE OF GOD
The garden was shut up (Songs of Solomon 4:12)—that was to keep it. There are no walls here, so that all may come to it. The streams were shut up before; but now they are flowing, which is to teach us this—that the way God keeps his people in security is not by shutting out their enemies from attacking them, but by laying them open to temptation and attack, and sustaining them in this condition. This will turn us into the BATTLE AXE (Jeremiah 51:20) of God, His weapon of warfare.
It is not much to preserve oneself behind a wall which cannot be scaled, but to stand where arrows are flying thick as hail. As Christians, we are to pray, "Lead us not into temptation" (Matthew 6:13); but indeed, we are often tempted, notwithstanding our prayer. Put us where we must be tempted—put us where we must be tried, because there is no honor in not being tried.
He does not shelter us from the heat of the sun, or from the cold of the night, for in this world we must have tribulation (John 16:33), and we must have much of it too, for it is through much tribulation that we inherit the kingdom. God keeps us in tribulation, preserves us in temptation, and brings us joyfully out of all our trials.
We are a stream from Lebanon, to be dashed down many water falls and broken over by many rough rocks, but we are to dash forward with the irresistible force of God, sweeping everything away till we find a place of perfect rest.
Don't be in the category of the scribes and Pharisees, who shut up the kingdom of heaven against men. They have the key to the kingdom of heaven, but they refuse to enter nor allow others to go in (Matthew 23:13). Clear the path for others with your strong stream-force and show them the way.
Where are the great soldiers of Christ—the saint Stephens of our time, the Apostle Paul of our time—who laid down their lives for the sake of the Gospel and the advancement of God's kingdom?
Heavenly Father, please resurrect giants in these days; resurrect consecrated men who will stand on the sword and offer themselves for the sake of the Gospel. Give us men who will flow continuously, as streams from Lebanon, into this sinful world and uproot wickedness from the hearts of evil men; who will flood people's hearts with the real love of God and make all Christians to be united. Our source is from you, Lord.; you planted us as cedar trees on Mount Lebanon.
O cedar, you live in perpetual spring; the green lawns of your horizontal branches don't fail even in the year of drought.
"The righteous flourish like palm trees and grow like cedars in Lebanon" (Psalm 92:12).
"Praise the Lord, fruitful trees and all cedars" (Psalms 148:9).
James Dina (james@mountzionblog.org)
May 21, 2021
WORKS CITED
1. "The Cedars of Lebanon" by Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
2. "A Secret and Yet No Secret" by Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
3. "Song of Solomon 4 – The Beauty of Consummated Love" by David Guzik.
4. "The Cedars of Lebanon" by Charles Spurgeon.
5. https://www.gotquestions.org/Lebanon-in-the-Bible.html
6. "You Are the Light of the World: What Are You Reflecting?" by Richard Lee Sorensen.
7. "Biblical Lebanon Was A MOUNTAIN, Not A STATE," Feb. 2, 1984, NY Times.
8. "Use Your Talent-Don't Hide It!" by CSMonitor.com
