the parable of the almond tree · the study of biological temporal rhythms, such as daily, tidal,...

Seasonal Rhythms & The Almond Tree

Vanderhorst, Char J. "Almond Tree Menorah" (Clay on Tile). Alberta, Canada.

Seasonal Rhythms

&

The Almond Tree

The study of biological temporal rhythms, such as daily, tidal, weekly, seasonal, and annual rhythms in living organisms and their adaptation to solar- and lunar- related rhythms is known as chronobiology.

Plants and animals contain photoreceptors that cause them to be sensitive to and respond to changes in the length of daylight which is the cue for the timing of seasonal behaviors – such as mating, hibernating and migration in animals and flowering, germination, fragrance emission and growth in plants.

Seasonal biological rhythms affect the long-distance movement of living creatures of the air, land and sea:

Birds migrate south for the winter.

Wildebeest migrate annually forseasonal grazing.

Salmon migrate from the oceansto the upper rivers to spawn.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Salmon_jumping.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wildebeest-during-Great-Migration.JPG

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:BrantaLeucopsisMigration.jpg

Likewise in humans and vertebrates, the pineal gland serves as a type of photoreceptor and secretes hormones such as melatonin which helps maintain circadian rhythms and regulate reproductive hormones. For example, in several vertebrate species, pineal hormones influence sexual development, hibernation, and seasonal breeding.

According to the Word of יהוה, He created lights in the firmaments to be for signs and seasons:

And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasonsH4150, and for days, and years: (Gen 1:14)

Printed screen from e-sword

Leviticus 23 provides a detailed account of these appointed times, explains that these times belong to HIM and the importance of proclaiming them in their seasons:

And יהוה spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them,

Concerning the feasts H4150 of יהוה, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, eventhese are my feasts H4150. (Lev 23:1-2)

These are the feasts H4150 of יהוה, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons H4150. (Lev 23:4)

The list includes:

The seventh day sabbath of rest

The list includes:


Appointed times of the first month:

The list includes:



יהוה’s passover on the 14th day of the first month

1st month 2nd month 3rd month1

Pas

sove

r

14

The list includes:




The seven day feast of matza beginning on the 15th

day of the first month

15th day/Firstfruits

wave a docked off branch

1

Matza7 days

Pas

sove

r

15 21

The list includes:




The seven day feast of matza beginning on the 15th

day of the first month

A 50 day omer count to Firstfruit offering

1st month 2nd month 3rd month


wave a docked off branch

1

Matza7 days

Omer CountSeven Weeks/50 days

ShavuotFeast of

Firstfruits

Pas

sove

r

15 21

and:

Appointed times of the seventh month:

and:

Appointed times of the seventh month: A memorial of blowing trumpets on the 1st day of

the seventh month

7th month 8th month 9th month1

YomTeruahblow thetrumpets

and:


the seventh month

A day of atonement on the 10th day of the seventh month

7th month 8th month 9th month1

Yom

Kip

pu

r

10


and:


the seventh month


The seven day feast of tabernacles beginning on the 15th day of the seventh month

7th month 8th month 9th month

15th day/Sukkot

rejoice with branches of

goodly trees

1

Sukkot7 days

Yom

Kip

pu

r

15 2110


and:


the seventh month


The seven day feast of tabernacles beginning on the 15th day of the seventh month

The eighth day sabbath following the seven day feast of tabernacles

7th month 8th month 9th month

15th day/Sukkot

rejoice with branches of

goodly trees

1

Sukkot7 days

Yom

Kip

pu

r

15 2110

8th

Day


Of these feasts, there are three times per year when all the males are to appear before Him - a type of “migration” of His people:

the feast of matza

the feast of harvest

the feast of ingathering

Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year. Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread [matza]: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread [matza] seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:) And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field. Three times in the year all thy males shall appear

before יהוה GOD. (Exo 23:14-17)

Yet, unlike other living creatures

that seem to know the seasons,

the people of יהוה do not.

Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the

judgment of יהוה. How do ye say, We are

wise, and the law of יהוה is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain. The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo,

they have rejected the word of יהוה; and what wisdom is in them? (Jer 8:7-9)

The first appointed time or “migration” occurs in the month Abib

which is the season when

the children of Israel

were brought forth

out of the land of Egypt.

Abib heralds the beginning of months*

known as the first month.

The subsequent appointed times

or “migrations”

are calculated from this point.

*Exodus 12:2

The seasonal biological rhythm of the

almond tree causes it to blossom or awaken

at a time of the yearly cycle that corresponds to

the time of dawn in the daily cycle.

Day

Night

horizon

Summer

Winter

equinox

Considering that the word abib

is also associated with

blossoming,

the following slides demonstrate

how the almond tree cycle seems to

parallel the seasons of יהוה.

Summer

Winter

equinox

Seasons of יהוה

In the 14th day of the first month (abib) at

even is the Passover of

slaughter the ;יהוהunblemished lamb at

even.*

*Lev 23:5; Exo 12:1-6

late Jan/early Feb

Summer

Winter

equinox

Seasons of יהוה

In the 14th day of the first month (abib) at

even is the Passover of

slaughter the ;יהוהunblemished lamb at

even.*

Almond Tree Cycle

Upon awakening, the almond tree clothes itself with light pink

flowers that turn white as snow and fall to the

ground within5-14 days.

*Lev 23:5; Exo 12:1-6

late Jan/early Feb

Summer

Winter

equinox

Seasons of יהוה

From the morrow Sabbath count seven sabbaths (50 days).

Present two wave loaves made of fine flour baked with leaven, they are the

firstfruits of יהוה*

*Lev 23:9-22

late Jan/early Feb

latter Apr/early May

http://www.google.com/imgres?start=205&biw=1188&bih=482&tbm=isch&tbnid=m72tCQ6zvEGFRM:&imgrefurl=http://www.davewilson.com/commercial-orchards/featured-products/independence-almond&docid=lsCJfXiE8xeVLM&imgurl=http://www.davewilson.com/sites/default/files/images/Independence_cluster-002.jpg&w=900&h=600&ei=oyH9UoauK7LlygGkyIC4AQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=1151&page=15&ndsp=16&ved=0CB0QhBwwCDjIAQ

Summer

Winter

equinox

Seasons of יהוה

From the morrow Sabbath count seven sabbaths (50 days).

Present two wave loaves made of fine flour baked with leaven, they are the

firstfruits of יהוה*

Almond Tree Cycle

Following pollination, the firstfruits of the almond tree hastily

grow over a period of 8 weeks when they may

be handpickedduring the

1st harvest

*Lev 23:9-22

late Jan/early Feb



*Lev 23:34-44

Summer

Winter

equinox

late Jan/early Feb

7th monthafter blossom


Seasons of יהוה

Celebrate a feast during the 7th month; rejoice

before יהוה with the branches of goodly

trees*


*Lev 23:34-44

Summer

Winter

equinox

late Jan/early Feb

7th monthafter blossom


Almond Tree Cycle

The almond tree is ready for the final harvest

around the 7th month after blossom.

Seasons of יהוה

Celebrate a feast during the 7th month; rejoice

before יהוה with the branches of goodly

trees*


The feasts of the first month

seem to mirror

the feasts of the seventh month.

Blossom Hasty RipeningMonth 1 Month 2 Month 3

(late JAN/early FEB) (late FEB/early MAR) (late MAR/early APR)

Month 7 Month 8 Month 9

(late JUL/early AUG) (late AUG/early SEP) (late SEP/early OCT)

Harvest

Winter

Summer

HeadChodeshblow the

trumpet*

1

*see Num 10:10





Harvest

Winter

Summer

HeadChodeshblow the

trumpet*

1

1

Yom Teruahblow the

trumpet

*see Num 10:10





Harvest

Winter

Summer

HeadChodeshblow the

trumpet*

1Se

lect

Lam

b

1

Yom Teruahblow the

trumpet

10

*see Num 10:10





Harvest

Winter

Summer

HeadChodeshblow the

trumpet*

1Se

lect

Lam

b

1

Yom Teruahblow the

trumpet

Yom

Kip

pu

r

10

10

*see Num 10:10





Harvest

Winter

Summer

HeadChodeshblow the

trumpet*


wave a docked

off branch

1

Matza7 days


ShavuotFeast of

Firstfruits

15 21Se

lect

Lam

b

1

Yom Teruahblow the

trumpet

Yom

Kip

pu

r


wave a docked

off branch

10

10

*see Num 10:10





Harvest

Winter

Summer

HeadChodeshblow the

trumpet*


wave a docked

off branch

1

Matza7 days


ShavuotFeast of

Firstfruits

15 21Se

lect

Lam

b

1 15

Yom Teruahblow the

trumpet

Yom

Kip

pu

r


wave a docked

off branch

15th day/Sukkot

rejoice with

branches of goodly trees

Sukkot7 days

10

10

8th

Day

*see Num 10:10

And in the Northern Hemispherewhen the almond tree blossoms

and the people areblowing the trumpet,

selecting a lamb,and waving a docked of branch

during the first month…

Northern

Hemisphere Blossom Hasty Ripening


Head Chodeshblow the

trumpet


wave a docked

off branch

1

Matza7 days


ShavuotFeast of

Firstfruits

Pas

sove

r15 21

Sele

ct L

amb


wave a docked

off branch

10

in the Southern Hemispherethe almond tree is ready for harvest


observing Yom Kippur,and

rejoicing with the branches of goodly trees.

Northern

Hemisphere Blossom Hasty Ripening


Southern

HemisphereHarvest

HeadChodeshblow the

trumpet


wave a docked

off branch

1

Matza7 days


ShavuotFeast of

Firstfruits

Pas

sove

r15 21

Sele

ct L

amb

1 15

Yom Teruahblow the

trumpet

Yom

Kip

pu

r


wave a docked

off branch

15th day/Sukkot

rejoice with


Sukkot7 days

10

10

8th

Day

Similarly in the Northern Hemisphere

when the almond tree is ready for harvest,

the people are

blowing the trumpet,

observing Yom Kippur,

and rejoicing with the branches of goodly trees

during the seventh month…

Northern

Hemisphere


Harvest

YomTeruahblow the

trumpet

1

Sukkot7 days

8th

Day

15 21

Yo

m

Kip

pu

r

10

15th day/Sukkot

rejoice with


in the Southern Hemispherethe almond tree is blossoming


selecting a lamb,and

waving a docked off branch.

Northern

Hemisphere


Southern

Hemisphere Blossom

Harvest

Hasty Ripening

YomTeruahblow the

trumpet

1

Sukkot7 days

8th

Day

15 21

Yom

Kip

pu

r

1 15

Sele

ct

Lam

b

15th day/Matza

wave a docked

off branch

Matza7 days

10

10

15th day/Sukkot

rejoice with


21

Could the blossoming almond tree -

the pattern for the LIGHT

in the holy place -

exist as a “photoreceptor”

to alert us

to the seasons of יהוה…

as a watchman, a watchful tree?

Remain

Watchful

Song of Solomon 5:2 describes:

a lady who was “sleeping” or not being watchful/alert

her Lover came to her door and knocked trying to awaken her (his hair drenched with the dampness of the night)…

by the time she finally awakened and opened the door, her Lover was gone

I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night. I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them? My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him.

I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock. I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.(Song of Sol 5:2-6)

Perhaps the lady

was expecting her lover

to come at a later time or season

and was neither alert

nor remaining watchful

at the time of his coming.

Blessed are the servants

who the Master finds awake

when He comes.

Let your loins be girded about, and your lightsburning; And ye yourselves like unto men thatwait for their lord, when he will return from thewedding; that when he cometh and knocketh,they may open unto him immediately. Blessedare those servants, whom the lord when hecometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you,that he shall gird himself, and make them to sitdown to meat, and will come forth and servethem. And if he shall come in the second watch,or come in the third watch, and find them so,blessed are those servants. (Luk 12:35-38)

…Let your loins be girded about

is

Passover language

And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in

haste: it is יהוה‘s Passover. (Exo 12:11)

According to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary:

the definition of wise involves having the

power of discerning and judging correctly.

the definition of discerning involves

distinguishing by the eye, to see.

Parable of the Ten Virgins

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

…While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps…

…And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves…

…And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Mat 25:1-13)

The thief comes in the night.

And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. (Luk 12:39-40)

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (1Th 5:1-2)

Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. (Rev 16:15)

The almond tree awakens around the

third or fourth watch of the “night season”.

Summer

Winter

equinox

late Jan/early Feb

The naked almond tree awakens

and covers its nakedness

in garments of white

as if preparing for

the arrival of a king.

Awake, awake; put on [clothe] thy strength, O Zion;

put on thy beautiful garments,

O Jerusalem, the holy city:for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. (Isa 52:1)

Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. (Luk 12:37)

Awake, Awake!

Anything out of the ordinary process of nature, as so extraordinary as to excite

wonder or astonishment.

Part 2: Almond Blossom & Abib

Vanderhorst, Char J. "Almond Tree Menorah" (Clay on Tile). Alberta, Canada.

the parable of the almond tree · the study of biological temporal rhythms, such as daily, tidal,...

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