The Cedar: Destruction of, Exhibits God's Power
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The cedar tree, known for its grandeur and strength, is frequently mentioned in the Bible as a symbol of majesty and durability. Its destruction, however, serves as a powerful illustration of God's sovereignty and might over creation. The cedar's fall is often used metaphorically to demonstrate God's ability to humble the proud and dismantle the seemingly invincible.

Biblical References

1. Psalm 29:5 · "The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon." This verse vividly portrays the power of God's voice, which is capable of breaking even the mighty cedars of Lebanon. The imagery underscores the idea that nothing in creation, no matter how strong or majestic, can withstand the command of the Almighty.

2. Isaiah 2:12-13 · "For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted—it will be humbled—against all the cedars of Lebanon, lofty and lifted up, and against all the oaks of Bashan." Here, the cedars of Lebanon are used to represent human pride and arrogance. The prophecy declares that God's judgment will bring low all that is exalted, emphasizing His ultimate authority over the earth.

3. Ezekiel 31:3-14 · In this passage, the cedar is used as a metaphor for the Assyrian empire, which was once powerful and expansive. God declares that He will bring it down, illustrating His control over nations and empires. The fall of the cedar symbolizes the inevitable downfall of those who exalt themselves above God.

4. Zechariah 11:1-2 · "Open your doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may consume your cedars. Wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen; the majestic trees are destroyed. Wail, oaks of Bashan, for the dense forest has been cut down." This prophetic imagery speaks of destruction coming upon Lebanon, with the cedars' fall serving as a harbinger of judgment. It highlights the theme of divine retribution against those who oppose God's will.

Theological Significance

The destruction of the cedar trees in biblical literature serves as a potent reminder of God's omnipotence. The cedar, often associated with strength and permanence, becomes a symbol of human pride and self-reliance. Its downfall is a testament to the fact that no earthly power or entity can stand against the will of God. This theme is consistent throughout Scripture, where God is depicted as the ultimate authority who can raise up and bring down according to His divine purpose.

In the broader biblical narrative, the destruction of the cedar also points to the transient nature of worldly power and the futility of human arrogance. It calls believers to recognize their dependence on God and to submit to His sovereign rule. The imagery of the cedar's fall serves as a warning to those who trust in their own strength and a call to humility before the Creator.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Psalm 29:5
The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; yes, the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Divine Destruction and Protection
... Divine Destruction and Protection. ... Here a towering cedar and yonder the storks have
made ... grace; he professes much intelligence, but he exhibits gross negligence ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/divine destruction and protection.htm

The Man to be Wrought Upon.
... and other forces like those in the ox and cedar. ... which they love Him, but He exhibits
love to ... themselves willingly and yet against their will into destruction. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/i the man to be.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... Pharaoh; the highest branch of the cedar is Jehoiachin ... This also exhibits the conflict
between God's kingdom and ... of the Messiah's advent, the destruction of the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

Mason -- Messiah's Throne
... in 1793, he took charge of the Cedar Street Church ... the vessels of wrath fitted to
destruction; that He ... glorious authority in His Church, and exhibits a visible ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/mason messiahs throne.htm

A Discourse
... unjustifiable, Bunyan scripturally and plainly exhibits the harmlessness ... 14:8). This
is at the destruction of Babylon ... for that they were made of cedar; but what ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse.htm

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... fleet sailed up the Thames and threatened destruction to our ... The analysis of this
book exhibits"How solemn a thing ... 1:4, 5) 'For the kingdom of God, saith he ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... Then began the struggle against arbitrary power, which was overthrown in ... 'Wonders
of grace to God belong ... in which he was hurrying to destruction, distracted him ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about smudging? | GotQuestions.org

How tall was Adam? | GotQuestions.org

What is the lily of the valley (Song of Solomon 2:1)? | GotQuestions.org

Cedar: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Cedar

Cedar used for Masts of Ships

Cedar used in David's Palace

Cedar used in Purifications

Cedar used in Rebuilding the Temple

Cedar used in Solomon's Palace

Cedar: David's Ample Provision of, in Jerusalem, for the Temple

Cedar: Figurative

Cedar: Furnished by Hiram, King of Tyre, for Solomon's Temple

Cedar: Valuable for Building Purposes

The Cedar used In Building Palaces

The Cedar used In Building Temples

The Cedar used In Making Chariots

The Cedar used In Making Idols

The Cedar used In Making Masts of Ships

The Cedar used In Making Wardrobes

The Cedar used In Preparing the Water of Separation

The Cedar used In Purifying the Leper

The Cedar: Arrogant Rulers

The Cedar: Banks of Rivers Favourable to the Growth of

The Cedar: Beauty and Glory of Israel

The Cedar: Considered the First of Trees

The Cedar: Destruction of, a Punishment

The Cedar: Destruction of, Exhibits God's Power

The Cedar: Extensive Commerce In

The Cedar: Fragrant

The Cedar: Graceful and Beautiful

The Cedar: High

The Cedar: Imported Largely by Solomon

The Cedar: Lebanon Celebrated For

The Cedar: Made to Glorify God

The Cedar: Majesty, Strength, and Glory of Christ

The Cedar: Planted by God

The Cedar: Powerful Nations

The Cedar: Saints in Their Rapid Growth

The Cedar: Spreading

The Cedar: Strong and Durable

The Cedar: The Eagle Alluded to as Instrumental in Propagating

The Cedar: The Eagle Alluded to as Making Its Nest In

The Cedar: The Eagle Alluded to as Perching on the High Branches of

Related Terms

Lord'the (1 Occurrence)

Is'the (1 Occurrence)

The (669438 Occurrences)

Oak-the (1 Occurrence)

Saying'the (1 Occurrence)

Jok'the-el (1 Occurrence)

The-oph'ilus (2 Occurrences)

The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence)

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)

Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences)

Zin (9 Occurrences)

Zarephath (4 Occurrences)

Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences)

Vintage (14 Occurrences)

Kore (4 Occurrences)

Knives (12 Occurrences)

Zidonians (11 Occurrences)

Kareah (14 Occurrences)

Vegetation (18 Occurrences)

Kanah (3 Occurrences)

Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences)

Vicinity (18 Occurrences)

Zeboim (7 Occurrences)

Kadeshbarnea (9 Occurrences)

Kare'ah (14 Occurrences)

Volition

Kol

Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences)

Vashti (10 Occurrences)

Zabdi (17 Occurrences)

Knitted (9 Occurrences)

Kids (12 Occurrences)

Killeth (23 Occurrences)

Vial (12 Occurrences)

Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)

Home-born (14 Occurrences)

Kingship (17 Occurrences)

Kadesh-barnea (9 Occurrences)

Zealot (4 Occurrences)

Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Victorious (17 Occurrences)

Zacchaeus (3 Occurrences)

Zenas (1 Occurrence)

Kneel (10 Occurrences)

Zachariah (6 Occurrences)

Kebar (8 Occurrences)

Kerethites (9 Occurrences)

Zeeb (3 Occurrences)

Zoheleth (1 Occurrence)

Zarethan (4 Occurrences)

Kinnereth (7 Occurrences)

Knowledge

Knelt (20 Occurrences)

Visible (12 Occurrences)

Zeus (3 Occurrences)

Ziph (9 Occurrences)

Zebadiah (9 Occurrences)

Zorah (10 Occurrences)

Kenite (9 Occurrences)

Kick (8 Occurrences)

Kedar (11 Occurrences)

Zichri (12 Occurrences)

Ko'rahites (6 Occurrences)

Zeru'iah (24 Occurrences)

Kei'lah (16 Occurrences)

24000 (10 Occurrences)

Vapor (6 Occurrences)

Vanished (13 Occurrences)

Verdict (7 Occurrences)

Violated (23 Occurrences)

Knop (4 Occurrences)

Visiting (10 Occurrences)

Zaphon (4 Occurrences)

Zephani'ah (10 Occurrences)

Zaccur (10 Occurrences)

Koz (5 Occurrences)

Kadmiel (8 Occurrences)

The Cedar: Destruction of, a Punishment
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