“The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever protects their master will be honored.”
When I lived in central Florida orange trees were the thing. In the middle East during Solomon’s time fig trees abounded and were valued above all others. I can’t even recall the last time I ate a fig. Probably some kind of stuffed thing a few Christmas’s ago. Actually that might have been a date. Before allowing a lack of fig knowledge to cause you to struggling to grasp this verse understand that the point here is that diligently taking care of and protecting the fig tree resulted in the caretaker reaping a huge reward of plentiful figs. Orange growers had the same opportunity. They took constant care of their groves, even staying up all hours to light warming pots (smudge pots) at night during freezes. The idea that we would somehow protect our master in the same diligent way does not seem realistic or necessary. Our role with our master in this verse refers to waiting on, tending to and serving Him. In other words it is about devotion to Him. When we focus on the call of God in our lives we are about His business in this world. As a result of being diligent in pursuing His interests here on earth we one day will hear “Well done good and faithful servant”. I confess I long for that moment. Today be about devotion to God. #BeTheEdge
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” Jesus
