The palm tree occur many places in the Bible. Elim – the oasis with seventy palm trees and twelve springs of water is the first place it is mentioned (Exodus 15:27). One palm tree for each of the seventy elders and one spring of water for each tribe of Israel. The Bible
is saying that the righteous will flourish like a palm tree. There are many
things we may learn when we compare the righteous with the palm tree.

1. Uprightness. The palm tree stretches itself straight up
into the air. It is a tall tree, erect, stately, and strong. It is a true image
of the really righteous, for crooked ways are not his.

2. Usefulness. The palm-tree is held in great estimation by
the inhabitants of Arabia, Egypt, and Persia, on account of its adaptation to
various valuable purposes. The Arabs celebrate its three hundred and sixty uses
to which the different parts maybe applied, and many people subsist almost
entirely on its fruit. They boast of its medicinal virtues. The camels feed
upon the date stone. From the leaves they make a variety of articles for
domestic use. From the fibres of the boughs, thread, ropes, and rigging are
manufactured. From the sap, a spirituous liquor is prepared; and the body of
the tree furnishes fuel.

Likewise, in all departments of life, the influence, the example, the
spirit, the words, and works of the righteous man are full of blessing for the
entire society.

       3. beauty. The palm tree is often taken
as an emblem of beauty (Song 7:7-8) and used as decoration in the temple(1King 6:29,32,35; 2Chronicles 3:5). On the
righteous man “the beauty of the Lord our God” is seen, as in our Lord above
all (John 1:14). Moral beauty is as real as physical.

4. power. Palm-branches were carried
as tokens of victory or joy (Leviticus 23:40, John 12:13; Revelation 7:9) Just think of its victory over all kinds of foes which
threaten its life. It is a root out of a dry ground: the choking sand surrounds
it, the burning heat scorches it, the fierce tempest beats upon it; it is often
wounded—its roots crushed with all manner of weights, the elements, man, the
beasts of the desert, all combine to injure it; but in spite of them all it
rears its beautiful corona of leaves far on high, and flourishes still. The
righteous is likewise more than a conqueror as God let all things work out for
the good, nothing on earth and in hell ca harm him (Romans. 8:28–39).

5. fruitfulness. The palm tree is a tall,
fruit-bearing, shadowy tree, whose fruit is the date: it arrives at perfection
in about thirty years, and thus continues about seventy years, bearing fifteen
or twenty clusters of dates, each cluster weighing from 7-12 kg. It is the staff of life to the peoples
amongst whom it is found. And so the righteous (John 15:1–8).

6. guidance. It is the sure sign of the presence of water
(see Elim,  Exodus.
15:27). Across the burning sands the caravan,
parched with thirst, make for the cluster of palms they see afar off, for they
know that water is there. And so the righteous should be and is a prophetic sign
to the people and society, which tells where the living waters are.

7. permanence. It continues right on to old age to be all
that has been said. It is a true emblem of the perseverance of the people of
God.

The Palm Tree

1.     First
mention of, in Scripture. Ex 15:27.

2.     Jericho
celebrated for. De 34:3; Jdj 1:16.

3.     Described
as

a.     Tall.
Song 7:7.

b.     Upright.
Jer 10:5.

c.     Flourishing.
Ps 92:12.

d.     Fruitful
to a great age. Ps 92:14.

4.     The
fruit of, called dates. 2Ch 31:5.

5.     Requires
a moist and fertile soil. Ex 15:27.

6.     Tents
often pitched under the shade of. Jdj 4:5.

7.     The
branches of, were

a.     The
emblem of victory. Re 7:9.

b.     Carried
at feast of tabernacles. Le 23:40.

c.     Used
for constructing booths. Ne 8:15.

d.     Spread
before Christ. Joh 12:13.

8.     Blasted
as a punishment. Joe 1:12.

9.     Represented
in carved work on the walls and doors of the temple of Solomon. 1Ki 6:29,32,35;
2Ch 3:5.

10.     Illustrative
of

a.     The
church. Song 7:7,8.

b.     The
righteous. Ps 92:12.

c.     The
upright appearance of idols. Jer 10:5.