Biblical prophets frequently draw on powerful metaphors to emphasize their points. As Jeremiah warned the people of Jerusalem about the coming captivity and destruction, he used a pair of powerful metaphors to illustrate the perils of following after our own desires and to urge his listeners to turn to and follow the will of God.
“This is what the Lord says:
Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
who draws strength from mere flesh
and whose heart turns away from the Lord.
That person will be like a bush in the wastelands;
they will not see prosperity when it comes.
They will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
in a salt land where no one lives.
But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
(Jeremiah 17:5–8).
I love how Jeremiah contrasts the one who trusts in man and the one who trusts in the Lord by pointing to these two very different types of plants.
The Desert Shrub: A Symbol of Spiritual Barrenness
The one who trusts in man is described as being like a “bush in the wastelands” (v. 6), living in a dry and barren land. Here are some of the key features of this desert bush or shrub:
Rootless and Parched –
o Because shrubs in the desert do not have a constant source of water, they are not able to plant deep roots. Instead, they must focus on developing ways to capture and store the limited amount of rainwater that they can get access to. This stunts growth.
o Spiritually, this represents a person who trusts in human strength and worldly resources, but fails to tap into the living water that sustains true life (Jeremiah 17:5-6).
Fruitless –
o Desert plants are not very fruitful. Some like the Tamarisk and Boom Brush produce no fruit at all. Indeed, the Broom Brush is used elsewhere in the Bible as a symbol of desolation (1 Kings 19:4). Other trees like the Arar tree produce dry, bitter, and nearly useless fruit.
o Spiritually, this represents a life that does not bear good fruit because it is disconnected from God’s life-giving presence (John 15:4-6).
Isolated –
o Because these plants must compete for resources, they are typically found alone or in isolated patches rather than in symbiotic relationship and community with other plants. Indeed, some desert plants are actively destructive to other plants around it. For instance, the tamarisk plant secretes salt making the soil around it less hospitable for other plants
o A spiritually barren life mirrors this—marked by self-reliance, independence from God, and a lack of meaningful connection with others. Self-reliant people may survive hardships but lack spiritual vitality and the ability to bless others.
Hardened –
o Many desert plants must grow thorns, spikes, or tough, bitter leaves to conserve resources and protect against threats (e.g., animals eating them, extreme heat, or lack of water).
o In the same way, people who rely on their own strength often develop a hardened heart (Ezekiel 36:26) or put up self-protective barriers such as cynicism, distrust or pride that hinder their connection to God and others.
Meanwhile, a tree by water flourishes, grows strong, and produces fruit—an image of a life rooted in God’s sustaining grace.
The Tree by Living Water: A Symbol of Spiritual Flourishing
By contrast, the one who trusts in God is like “a tree planted by water” (v. 8). Here are some of the features of these individuals, which contrasts directly with the desert shrub.
Rooted and well-watered–
o The Tree by the Living Water is able to draw life from a consistent, sustaining source. It is therefore able to plant deep roots that support and encourage growth.
o Spiritually, this represents a person who taps into the living water of Jesus Christ (John 4:14, John 7:38). As Jesus taught, those who believe in him will never thirst. These believers who trust in the Lord are spiritually anchored in God’s word and presence, drawing continual sustenance and strength from Him (Psalm 1:3).
Fruitful –
o Plants planted by the source of living waters are extremely fruitful. Moreover, their fruits are not occasional, but are consistently produced year after year. These fruits are sweet and nourish life.
o Spiritually, this represents the life that bears good fruit because it is connected to the living waters that Christ offers to us. (John 4:14, 7:37-39)
In Community–
o Unlike desert shrubs, the tree by water does not need thorns or self-protective mechanisms. It therefore does not need to compete with other plants or animals for scare resources, but can flourish along side others and develop symbiotic relationships of mutual benefit.
o Spiritually, those who trust in Christ don’t have to live in defensive self-protection—they can be open, fruitful, and a blessing to others (John 15:5, Galatians 5:22-23).
At Rest –
o The tree by the water is described as free from fear of heat or the worry of drought. It does not need to wonder whether it will receive enough nutrients to survive, but can confidently look forward to and hope for the future.
o Spiritually, those who trust in Christ don’t have to live in fear or worry, but can trust that God will take care of them just as he watches out for the lilies in the field. They are like the sheep of the good shepherd who trust that they will be led to the still waters and are able to be at rest because they know that all of their needs will be met (Psalm 23).
Jeremiah’s imagery leads us to ask ourselves: Where are we planting ourselves? Are we like the desert shrub, hardened and isolated, striving to survive in barren places with shallow roots and bitter fruit? Or are we like the tree planted by streams of living water, flourishing, bearing fruit, and resting secure in God’s sustaining grace?
In a world that tempts us daily to trust in human strength, achievements, trust in the Lord, root yourself deeply in His Word, and let His Spirit produce fruit in your life that nourishes both you and those around you.