B: 11th Sun of Ord Time (Ezek 17:22-24) - CEDARS OF PEACE (13 June 2021)

“I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of a cedar; I will set it out. I will break off a tender one from the topmost of its young twigs; I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain” (Ezek 17:22).

The cedar tree (’erez in Hebrew) is only attested in the Old Testament, implying that it was no longer in circulation or popular during the time of Jesus in the first century CE. Such probably is the case because cedars never grew in Palestine anyway. They were renowned to be found only in Lebanon as attested in 1 Kgs 4:33; 2 Kgs 14:9; Ezek 17:3; and 2 Chr 25:18, turning its wood to be an expensive item in the monarchial period of Israel. Appropriately, Megan Moore describes that the “[c]edars of Lebanon grow up to 28 m. (90 ft.) tall and may live 3000 years.... The wood of the tree was a popular commodity used in building. It carries a pleasant fragrance and resists insects” (cf. Eerdmans Dictionary, s.v. “Cedar”).

Because of the rarity, durability, and elegance of cedars, King Solomon imported its lumber from Tyre (i.e., present-day Lebanon) in the construction of the pillars of the temple of Jerusalem (cf. 1 Kgs 5; 2 Chr 2). He said to King Hiram of Tyre, “I intend to build a house for the name of the Lord my God.... Therefore, command that cedars from Lebanon be cut for me” (1 Kgs 5:5-6). The latter amicably responded, “I will fulfill your needs in the matter of cedar and cypress timber. My servants shall bring it down to the sea from the Lebanon” (vv. 8-9). Apparently, they were making a vibrant trade with each other that was capped in v. 12 with a summary-statement: “There was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and the two of them made a treaty.” Notable here is a new element conveyed in the importation of cedars in the OT: peace was ensured between Israel and Lebanon and in the entire neighborhood of the Near East.

The mention of cedars in the prophecy of Ezekiel in today’s first reading is something symbolic. The information that it begins from a tender branch that would grow and mature into a “noble cedar [where] under it every kind of bird will live; in the shade of its branches will nest winged creatures of every kind” (Ezek 17:23) signifies God’s perpetual protection of his people. But why would the prophet employ a cedar tree that is foreign to the Israelites? I think that what is being inferred here is that in order to prosper and be a great nation, one has to be in harmony and at peace with all neighboring countries. Making a cedar grow in Mt. Zion (i.e., Jerusalem) necessitates its importation from Lebanon, implying that a healthy commerce and an ongoing truce between Israel and Lebanon must have had existed. Such was indeed achieved in the time of Solomon on account of his wisdom and high regard for peace (1 Kgs 5:12).

In our contemporary context where global superpowers fight for dominance in terms of geopolitical influence, control of the economic market, and even superiority in armaments, prevalent in their propaganda is the demonization of rival nations. Essentially, success is being measured through the failure of their opponents. However, true success can only happen when harmony exists among them despite their competitive commerce that should always be governed by fair and just play. As we trod these divisive times of the pandemic and economic crisis, let us pray that nations prioritize peace-building more than their individual economies.

- Rex Fortes, CM