Deuteronomy 34: 3Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. There the Lord showed him the whole land—all the land of Judah as far as the Mediterranean Sea, 3 the Negev and the whole region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar.
Did you know that Jericho was known as the City of Palms?
As the people of Israel moved about in the desert for 40 years, imagine the importance of dates as a food source. How excited they would be to reach an oasis and find palms growing. The palm branch, or palm frond, is a symbol of victory, triumph, peace, and eternal life originating in the ancient Near East and Mediterranean world. The palm (Phoenix) was sacred in Mesopotamian religions, and in ancient Egypt represented immortality.
Palms have a deep spiritual and cultural meaning, that is why they were particularly chosen to wave as Jesus came into Jerusalem.
When Solomon built the temple we read that he made two doors of olive wood, with carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and flowers.
Our challenge today is to find out more about Palm trees, the different varieties there are, their spiritual significance. And if you can! buy some dates , dried or fresh so that you can taste them.