The Fig & The Wasp

I have been going through Scripture to read about the various mentions of the fig tree and my what an amazing study it has been so far. The fig tree is mentioned in 54 different passages in the Bible. It is first mentioned in Genesis 3 when Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. It goes on being mentioned through Scripture even until Revelation 6:13 when it says “and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind.”

Since God saw fit to place the fig tree in His Word 54 times I started to wonder why. I, probably like most people, know nothing about fig trees or how they are grown. My only thoughts are that it was a kind of fruit. However, I have found out that even in that opinion I am wrong. A fig is actually called an inflorescence which is —a cluster of many flowers and seeds contained inside a bulbous stem. These flowers are encased inside the shell of the fig so how does the fig  grow?

Ironically what we consider the fruit only grows because of a death. Most figs are pollinated by a fig wasp which crawls inside of the bud of the fig tree and pollinates the flowers or what we see as the fruit.  This wasp more often than not dies after completing this task. As it enters the tightly packed bud it often tears its wings off and later dies after spreading the pollen it has suffered to carry inside the bud. It is because of the wasp’s sacrifice that the fruit can bloom and grow.

So why the lesson on figs and wasps? I couldn’t help but see the parallel between the wasp who sacrifices to produce the fig and how we come to salvation because of Jesus’ sacrifice. He pushed into the very heart of darkness so that He could overcome death and sin. He suffered and paid the price for our lives. He then sent the Holy Spirit to help us grow and develop in our relationship with the Father just as the pollen distributed by the wasp helps the figs grow.

So as I continue this study about the fig tree I will be grateful that the first lesson He is teaching me is a reminder of all Jesus did to ensure that I could come into relationship with the Father.