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MARCH 10
DAY 9:Why did Jesus curse the fig tree in Mark 11:12–14?

Fig trees were common as a source of food.Three years were required from planting until fruit
bearing. After that, a tree could be harvested twice a year, usually yielding much fruit.The figs nor-
mally grew with the leaves.This tree had leaves but, strangely, no fruit.That this tree was along the
side of the road (see Matt. 21:19) implies it was public property. It was also apparently in good soil
because its foliage was ahead of season and ahead of the surrounding fig trees.The abundance of
leaves held out promise that the tree might also be ahead of schedule with its fruit.That it was “not
the season for figs” (v. 13) recognizes that the next normal fig season was in June, more than a
month away.This phrase, unique to Mark, emphasizes the unusual nature of this fig tree.
Jesus’ direct address to the tree personified it and condemned it for not providing what its
appearance promised.“Let no one eat fruit from you ever again” (v. 14). This incident was not the
acting out of the parable of the fig tree (Luke 13:6–9), which was a warning against spiritual fruit-
lessness.Here, Jesus cursed the tree for its misleading appearance that suggested great productiv-
ity without providing it. It should have been full of fruit, but was barren.The fig tree was frequent-
ly an Old Testament type of the Jewish nation (Hos. 9:10; Nah. 3:12; Zech. 3:10)—and the barren fig
tree often symbolizes divine judgment on Israel because of her spiritual fruitlessness despite an
abundance of spiritual advantages (Jer. 8:13; Joel 1:12). In this instance Jesus used the tree by the
road as a purposeful divine object lesson concerning Israel’s spiritual hypocrisy and fruitlessness,
exemplified in the rejection of their Messiah. It was not an impetuous act of frustration as some
have stated.

MARCH 10

17:8 the rod of Aaron. God had stated that
the stick of the man He had chosen would
Numbers 17:1–18:32
blossom (17:5).The stick of Aaron had not only
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: blossomed,but had yielded ripe almonds.Thus
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17 “Speak to the children of Israel, and get God had exceeded the demands of the test,so
from them a rod from each father’s house, all there would be no uncertainty of the fact that
their leaders according to their fathers’ hous- Aaron had been chosen as high priest.
es—twelve rods. Write each man’s name on
his rod. And you shall write Aaron’s name on rod back before the Testimony, to be kept as a
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the rod of Levi. For there shall be one rod for sign against the rebels, that you may put their
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the head of each father’s house. Then you complaints away from Me, lest they die.”
shall place them in the tabernacle of meeting 11 Thus did Moses; just as the LORD had com-
before the Testimony, where I meet with you. manded him, so he did.
5 And it shall be that the rod of the man whom 12 So the children of Israel spoke to Moses,
I choose will blossom; thus I will rid Myself of saying, “Surely we die, we perish, we all per-
the complaints of the children of Israel, which ish! Whoever even comes near the taberna-
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they make against you.” cle of the LORD must die. Shall we all utterly
6 So Moses spoke to the children of Israel, die?”
and each of their leaders gave him a rod Then the LORD said to Aaron: “You and
apiece, for each leader according to their 18 your sons and your father’s house with
fathers’ houses, twelve rods; and the rod of you shall bear the iniquity related to the sanc-
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Aaron was among their rods. And Moses tuary, and you and your sons with you shall
placed the rods before the LORD in the taber- bear the iniquity associated with your priest-
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nacle of witness. hood. Also bring with you your brethren of
8 Now it came to pass on the next day that the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that
Moses went into the tabernacle of witness, they may be joined with you and serve you
and behold, the rod of Aaron, of the house of while you and your sons are with you before
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Levi, had sprouted and put forth buds, had the tabernacle of witness. They shall attend to
produced blossoms and yielded ripe almonds. your needs and all the needs of the tabernacle;
9 Then Moses brought out all the rods from but they shall not come near the articles of the
before the LORD to all the children of Israel; sanctuary and the altar, lest they die—they
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and they looked, and each man took his rod. and you also. They shall be joined with you
10 And the LORD said to Moses, “Bring Aaron’s and attend to the needs of the tabernacle of
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