Genesis: 3:7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
[New International Translation]
Summary
After Adam and Eve disobeyed GOD, after the “Fall from Grace,” they immediately felt naked. Although they were experiencing a spiritual separation from GOD, because of their disobedience, they thought they could solve this spiritual problem in a physical way---namely by making clothes (i.e., covering their bodies). They began sewing fig leaves together in order to make coverings for themselves.
FIGS
A Biblical Fruit
Figs were a common and popular fruit during biblical times. Figs were eaten fresh, dried, like raisins and they were also fermented. There are a number of references to figs in the bible besides the reference in Genesis 3:7. For example, Abigail, the wise wife of Nabal (whose name means “fool” or “folly”), baked 200 fig cakes as a peace offering for David. See, 1Samuel 25:4-38. Zacchaeus, who was short in stature and who desired to see JESUS, climbed a sycamore fig tree. See, Luke 19:4. JESUS saw Nathanael under the fig tree before Nathanael encountered JESUS. See, John 1:48.
Fig trees and grapevines were common household plants. Micah 4:4 states: “Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree.” In times of war, armies often destroyed homes, vineyards and fig trees. So, to be able to sit under one’s own vine and fig tree represented a time of peace and prosperity. In Isaiah 36:16, the King of Assyria uses this same imagery of the fig tree symbolizing “the good life.” In Isaiah, the King of Assyria’s emissaries persuasively promise that each Israelite soldier would have his own fig tree and drink from his own cistern if each of these soldiers came over to the King of Assyria’s side and joined the Assyrian army and abandoned King Hezekiah.
JESUS also used the fig tree in a number of his teaching parables. In Luke 13:6-9, there is the parable of the barren fig tree and in Mark 13:28-29, there is the parable of the budding fig tree. In Matthew 21:18-20 and Mark 11, there is the withered fig tree. While a fruitful fig tree is a symbol of joy, peace and prosperity, a leafy but barren fig tree, like a showy religion, may “look good,” like many of the synagogue religious leaders, because it bore no fruit, it was really of no value. Again, using a fig tree parable in Luke 13:6-9, JESUS warns of the dangers of spiritual fruitlessness.
Health Benefit of Eating Figs
Figs are one of the riches plant sources of vitamins and minerals. Figs include:
• Vitamin A – important for normal vision, the immune system and organ function
• Vitamin C – important for growth, development and repair of body tissue
• B Vitamins – help to prevent infection and promote cell growth
• Vitamin K – important for blood clotting
• Potassium -helps to control blood pressure
• Calcium – important for bone and teeth;
• Copper – works with iron to help the body form red blood cells
• Selenium – important to metabolism and thyroid function
• Magnesium – helps to control blood pressure
• Manganese - a mineral that supports bone density and better metabolism
• Iron – an essential element in blood production
• Zinc – important for sense of taste and smell and the body’s immune system
See, “The Healthy Benefits of Figs,” https://www.healthline.com/health/figs; “One-Food Won-der: Figs,” https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/video/video-one-food-wonder-figs; https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/09089.
Varieties of Figs
Figs come in a variety of colors, from purplish black to almost white. Some of the common ones include: a) Mission Figs: purplish-black in color with reddish, moist taste; b) Brown Turkey Figs: brownish skin sometimes with maroon tones on the skin c) Adriatic Figs: rich golden or yellow-green or even white in color; and d) Calimyrna Figs: golden-brown in color.
Figs can be eaten fresh, mixed with salad, added to fruit salads and eaten dried or made into a paste. There are a lot of choices.
Figs may have a laxative effect and have been used to treat constipation. So, eating too many at one time may cause loose stool.
Figs: A Physical and Spiritually Useful Fruit:
All of the biblical references to figs are thought provoking. In fact, you may want to set aside time to read each one---the account in Genesis; the story of Abigail, David and Nabal; the King of Assyria’s attempt to persuade Hezekiah’s army to switch sides; JESUS’ encounter with Nathanael; JESUS’ parables; and the story of Zacchaeus. Each fig account is spiritually useful.
Each day we decide what to eat spiritually and what to eat physically. Each day we must decide whether we will just “string a few fig leaves together,” pretending that everything is “fine” or whether we will go to GOD in prayer and be real.
And, each day we must decide whether to choose healthy foods (like nutritious figs, fruits and vegetables) and drink water or unhealthy foods and drinks.
Each day we must decide to exercise or not.
Today, let us read GOD’s WORD, meditate, and pray to make the right decisions.
Let each of us strive for greater spiritual and physical health.
Pray one for another and BE BLESSED!
