The Doctrine of the Tree

Article #21 on the Passion of Jesus Christ 

“For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” – 1 Cor. 2:2

Have you ever wondered why the apostles called the Cross of Christ a Tree? Jesus Christ, the Son of God, did in fact die on a Cross, and the apostles referred to it as such a total of eleven times in the Epistles of the New Testament (1 Cor. 1:17, 18, Gal. 5:11, 6:12, 14, Eph. 2:16, Php. 2:8, 3:18, Col. 1:20, 2:14, Heb. 12:2). However, surprisingly, the word “Cross” does not explicitly appear in the Book of Acts. This should give us some pause. 

“…whom ye slew and hanged on a Tree.” - Act 5:30 (Josh. 10:26)
 
“…whom they slew and hanged on a Tree:” - Act 10:39 (Josh. 10:26)

“…they took him down from the Tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.”  - Act 13:29

The Book of Acts puts before Christians the example of the apostles. The recorded sermons of the evangelists are for our instruction. Instead of using the word “Cross”, the apostles referred to it as a “Tree” on three occasions while preaching to Jews and Gentiles in Acts 5:30, 10:39, & 13:29. Why? Clearly, they were preaching about the Cross, but they called it a Tree. Observe how the act of hanging Jesus Christ on a Tree was used synonymously and interchangeably by the apostles to describe the act of Crucifixion in Acts 2:23, 36, & 4:10. 

“…ye have taken, and by wicked hands have Crucified and slain:” – Acts 2:23

“…God hath made this same Jesus, whom ye have Crucified, both Lord and Christ.” – Acts 2:36
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“…Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye Crucified, whom God raised from the dead” – Acts 4:10 

Apparently, the Doctrine of the Tree should contribute to our understanding of “Jesus Christ, and Him Crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2). Acts 5:30, 10:39, & 13:29 appear in the exact same circumstances as Acts 2:23, 36, & 4:10. The apostles were preaching the same message two different ways. Altogether, they were preaching the Cross as a Tree and herein they were effectually proclaiming Jesus Christ Crucified.

Needless to say, the Book of Acts is all about preaching the Gospel. Therefore, this begs the question: Why did they call it a Tree? The same thing occurs in the doctrinal teachings of the Epistles in Galatians 3:13 & 1 Peter 2:24. The apostles did this by choice under inspiration to prove a point. ​

​“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a Tree:” – Gal. 3:13
 
“Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the Tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” – 1 Pet. 2:24

​The use of the word Tree cannot be attributed to mere semantics when the Law of the Old Testament specifically referred to the use and employment of the Tree (Numbers 25:3-5, Deuteronomy 21:22-23, Joshua 8:29, 10:24-27, 2 Sam. 21:3-9). The apostles were directing our attention to the ancient, legal, Jewish origin of the Cross of Christ. Paul was quoting directly from Deuteronomy 21:22-23 in Galatians 3:13. Evidently, the Cross of Rome was performing the mechanism of the Tree in the Law of the Old Testament when Jesus Christ died for our sins on the hill of Calvary. 

Does the Law Preach the Cross of Christ?

We would be foolish to disregard the example of the apostles in the Book of Acts. The same thing could be said about “the law of Moses” (Lk. 24:44-45). 

​“Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” – Luke 24:25-27
 
“…These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures…” - Luke 24:44-45

Does Moses preach the Cross of Christ? This is the question of our study. Amazingly, hundreds of prophecies in the Old Testament do accurately foretell the incarnation, death, burial, descension, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. However, our question is more specific: Does the Law of Moses preach the Cross of Christ?

Typologically & Figuratively ​through Animal Sacrifices

Yes. The Law does preach the Cross of Christ. Typologically, and figuratively, this is done through the Animal Sacrifices of the Old Testament being offered to God for an Atonement. These are typological solutions to sin problems because the blood of beasts could not actually merit forgiveness for sinners (Heb. 10:4-10, Ps. 40:6-8). This operation serves its purpose in shedding light on the Cross of Christ (Isa. 53:10). Furthermore, it brings to light the divine power of imputation and underscores our need for an Atonement before a holy God.

An Atonement is something that enables reconciliation through quenching or satisfying the wrath of God in turning away the anger of the LORD from the people. Until the fulness of time came, the Old Testament sacrificial system of Atonement regularly offered the following animals: Lambs (Ex. 12; Ex. 29:38-43), Goats (Lev. 4:24; Lev. 16), Rams (Ex. 29:33, Num. 5:8), Bullocks (Ex. 29:36-37, Lev. 4:20, Num. 8:12), & Cattle (Lev. 1:4). These ceremonies had to be conducted exactly as the Law required for them to be effectual.

Remarkably, the most important part of the legal process of an Atonement was the fact that these sacrifices were made “before the LORD” (Ex. 29:42, Lev. 4:4, 6, 15, 17, 6:7, 16:7, 10, 12, 13, 18, 30), because the wrath of God is a vertical issue that exists between people and God. Furthermore, let the reader understand, these animals were not ever sacrificed on Trees for an Atonement in the Old Testament. Not a single law directs the Jews to do this! Instead, the animals were sacrificed on altars. 

Literally & Explicitly in Public Executions ​through the Doctrine of the Tree

Yes. The Law does preach the Cross of Christ! Literally, and explicitly, this is done through the Doctrine of the Tree. However, most people are unable to find the Cross in the Old Testament because it is formally called a Tree. Of course, the apostles knew about the Doctrine of the Tree. This is why Peter and Paul affectionately referred to the Cross of Christ as a “Tree” in Galatians 3:13 & 1 Peter 2:24. 

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a Tree:” – Gal. 3:13 (Acts 13:29) 

“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the Tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” – 1 Pet. 2:24 (Acts 5:30, 10:39)

Galatians 3:13 is the most important verse on the Doctrine of the Tree in the New Testament. Why? Because in Galatians 3:13 Paul was quoting from Deuteronomy 21:22-23. This explicit connection between the New Testament and the Old Testament was how the apostles certified that their doctrine was honest, truthful, and biblical. Through cross references like this we can be sure that we understand the mind of the apostles when they referred to the Cross as a Tree. 

“And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a Tree: His body shall not remain all night upon the Tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.” – Deut. 21:22-23

Apparently, when Jesus Christ died on the Cross for our sins, the Cross of Rome was performing the mechanism of this Tree. Therefore, it is imperative that we discover the circumstances of each occasion in biblical history when the Tree was put into action. Let us bring these ancient scenes before us! Only then will we discover the ancient Jewish origin of the Cross of Christ as it predated the Roman Empire. Deuteronomy 21:22-23 should then lead believers to search for all other occasions where the Doctrine of the Tree appears in the Old Testament.

Deuteronomy 21:22-23 is actually commenting on Numbers 25:3-5. Meaning, Numbers 25:3-5 is the first appearance of the Tree in biblical history. This can be determined by the chronological order of the events. Furthermore, Deuteronomy 21:22-23 indicates that the use of the Tree in Numbers 25:3-5 was perpetuated forevermore in every case of public execution in Israel. 

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Chronological Order Of Events ​​

Following the historical narrative provided in the Book of Numbers: firstly, the Israelites arrived at the Plains of Moab in Numbers 22:1; secondarily, they committed whoredom at Baalpeor with “the daughters of Moab” & Midian in Numbers 25 (Num. 22:4, 25:1, 6, 14-15); thirdly, the command was given to “vex the Midianites” as an act of revenge upon them and thus Israel went to war against them (Num. 25:17-18, 31:1-54); fourthly, the Reubenites, Gadites, and half of the tribe of Manasseh took possession of their inheritance in Numbers 32:1-42; finally, after these things, the Book of Deuteronomy was given to the Jews in the Plains of Moab on the 1st Day of the 11th Month of the 40th year (Deut. 1:1-5). Internal evidence confirms that the Book of Deuteronomy was given after Baalpeor and the inheritance of the 2 ½ Tribes (Deut. 4:3; Deut. 3:13, 29:8).

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Public Execution in the Law of the Old Testament

The Law regularly called for public execution when people committed great sins (Deut. 30:15-20). Anything that was deemed “worthy of death” falls into this category (Deut. 17:6, 19:6, 21:22, 22:26; Heb. 10:28, 1 Jn. 5:16-17). These sins were unforgivable and unatonable (Num. 15:30-31, Heb. 10:26-29)! Therefore, public execution was demanded as a punishment in the Old Testament. However, in most of the verses that call for public execution, the method of putting someone to death is not specified. 

The Moral Law

Many different violations of the Moral Law in the Old Testament were punished by public execution. These sins included being a stubborn and a rebellious son (Deut. 21:18-21), smiting or cursing your mother or father (Ex. 21:15, 17), disobeying authority in the Israel (Deut. 17:8-13), cursing or blaspheming the Name of God (Lev. 24:10-16, 23), oppressing a widow or an orphan (Ex. 22:22-24), kidnapping (Ex. 21:16, Deut. 24:7), committing any number of sexual acts like fornication, adultery, incest, or bestiality (Lev. 18:7-23), committing murder (Ex. 21:14, 21:12, 21:20-21, 21:22-23; Numbers 35:15, 20-28, Deut. 19:4, 6, 11-13), lying or false witnessing to bring about death (Deut. 19:15-21), falsely prophesying (Deut. 13:1-5), becoming a witch (Ex. 22:18), consulting wizards (Lev. 20:6), giving of your seed to Molech (Lev. 20:1-3), and making a sacrifice to idols or committing idolatry (Ex. 22:20, Deut. 13:6-11, 17:2-7). 

The Ceremonial Law

Violations of the Ceremonial Law were also punished by public execution. These sins included acts of rebellion like refusing to perform the following laws and religious ceremonies: Circumcision (Gen. 17:14), Clean & Unclean Laws (Lev. 15:31, 22:3), & Defiling the Tabernacle (Lev. 15:31, 1 Cor. 3:17). Anyone who didn’t keep the following holy days would be publicly executed: the Sabbaths (Ex. 31:14-15, Lev. 23:28-30, Num. 15:32-36), the Passover (Ex. 12:15), & the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:33, 23:29-30). Violations while offering Animal Sacrifices were also punished by death: eating the flesh of a sacrifice while being unclean (Lev. 7:20-21), eating the fat or blood of a sacrifice (Lev. 7:25-27), sacrificing anywhere but the Tabernacle of Congregation (Lev. 17:1-9), & eating a peace-offering on the third day (Lev. 19:5-8).

It is important to understand that even lesser sins can become greater sins when they are committed willfully and presumptuously with continuance; hence, the call for public execution in this case as well (Num. 15:22-31, Heb. 10:26-29, 1 Jn. 5:16-17). 

The Method, Process, & Purpose of Public Execution in the Law of the Old Testament

Deuteronomy is the primary book of the Law that deals with the process of public executions. This can be seen in Deuteronomy 13:1-11, 17:2-7, 17:8-13, 19:15-21, 21:18-21. Here are five different scenarios that all end in public execution. A process was followed. Diligent inquiry was necessary to prove the guilt of the accused. Those who were deemed “worthy of death” were then stoned by the people. Universally, stoning was the method of public execution. 

Five Scenarios Detailing the Process of Public Execution: Deut. 13:1-11, 17:2-7, 17:8-13, 19:15-21, 21:18-21

Death by Stoning: Lev. 20:2-27 (the first and last utterance in this chapter, recorded in vs. 2 and vs. 27, specified the method of public execution in the command for death in every verse); Lev. 24:10-16, 23; Num. 15:35-36; Deut. 13:9-10, 21:21

Explicit instructions were given about how to conduct the stoning. Observe how the primary witness of the crime played a critical role in that he or she had to be the first one to cast a stone. Sound familiar? Only then would the rest of the people follow in casting their stones (Jn. 8:1-11; Deut. 22:22). Finally, upon death, the bodies of these cursed sinners were picked up from the ground and transported to Trees. There are only two exceptions for this rule in the Law. On two occasions sinners were required to be stoned and then burned with fire (Lev. 20:14, 21:9). All the rest were stoned and then hung up on Trees. 

The Doctrine of the Tree: Num. 25:3-5, Deut. 21:22-23, Josh. 8:29, 10:24-27, 2 Sam. 21:3-9 (Gal. 3:13, 1 Pet. 2:24) 

The location of Deuteronomy 21:22-23 in the Book of Deuteronomy speak volumes. It was placed as a conclusion to the five rehearsed scenarios of public execution. Readers of the Law would first encounter Deuteronomy 13:1-11, 17:2-7, 17:8-13, 19:15-21, & 21:18-21, and then finally the subject matter at hand is punctuated with Deuteronomy 21:22-23.

Apparently, according to Deuteronomy 21:22-23, the Tree was legally required for every internal public execution of Israelites with only two exceptions. The Tree was the last phase of the ceremonious executions of Israel. Once the Tree was finished performing its work, then the executed people would be buried. As a matter of fact, without Deuteronomy 21:22-23, Israel would not know what to do with the bodies of the people who were stoned to death. This is the only passage of Scripture in the Law that gives instruction to the Jews on what to do with the bodies of the people who were stoned to death in public executions.

Therefore, even though the Tree is a rarity in the Law, because it explicitly appears only two times, it could also be said that the Tree pervades the Law, because every time a public execution was commanded, recorded, or accomplished in Israel, the Jews were then compelled to look upon the operation of the Tree. Commands for and historical records of public execution pervade Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, & Deuteronomy. “Wherefore the Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” (Gal. 3:24). 

How were people hung on Trees during public executions in the Law of the Old Testament?

Many things come to mind when modern readers imagine hangings. Western executions in the recent past were carried out by hangings on naturally grown Trees. Death would usually come when the noose of the rope broke the neck of condemned criminals. Occasionally, they would hang there until the criminals would suffocate to death. If naturally grown Trees were not used for the hangings, then a designated execution site was constructed with wood that was sometimes referred to as Gallows. This form of execution wasn’t restricted to English history. Judas hung himself via a rope from a Tree in an apparent suicide (Matt. 27:5). Ahithophel likely died by the same means (2 Sam. 17:23).

Historically, the Romans are famous for how they fastened criminals to Trees using iron spikes as nails, and in this case the wood of the Trees would be erected in the form of a Cross. This was designed as a form of torture for criminals to suffer in death as a public statement to society. The Persians were known to prefer hangings on Trees where the wood was erected in the form of large sharp stakes used for impaling those who were doomed to die (Esther 5:14, 6:4, 7:9-10, 9:14, 25; Ezra 6:11). The Egyptians likely did a variety of hangings according to their hieroglyphics (Gen. 40:18-22). But it doesn’t really matter how the Romans, Persians, and Egyptians carried out their public executions on Trees. The Jewish people were required by God to be holy and separate from the manners and customs of heathen nations (Deut. 4:6; Lev. 11:44-45, 18:3, 30, 19:2, 20:7, 23, 26; 2 Cor. 6:17-18; Deut. 18:9-12; Jer. 10:3).

Remote incidents in history are not relevant to the Doctrine of the Tree in the Law, even if the Jews were somehow involved in those events. Therefore, it doesn’t matter what the Philistines did to the dead bodies of Saul and his Sons as a form of celebration and desecration (1 Sam. 31:10-13, 2 Sam. 21:12). Absalom accidently getting caught in a Tree while fleeing a battle on horseback shouldn’t contribute to our analysis of the legal methods of public execution in the Law (2 Sam. 17:23). Neither foreign nations nor random events had any influence upon the Word of God. Barbaric nations invented many cruel forms of torture as a means of control and influence. The manners and customs of alien cultures were authored by the depraved people of those societies. Contrastingly, the LORD our God wrote the Law, and it gave the Jews divine mandates for when, how, and why people should be publicly executed according to divine justice. 

Celebration, Commemoration, or Ceremonial?

All the hangings on Trees mandated in the Law required condemned people to be killed before they were hung on Trees. Therefore, for the Jews, the Tree was not a form of torture. It was not employed by God in the Old Testament as an instrument of suffering. Consequentially, it didn’t really matter how the people were hung up on the Trees. Presumably, ropes, nails, or whatever was conveniently on hand was used to hang the dead bodies on the Trees. Hanging dead bodies on Trees wasn’t for celebration or commemoration among the Jews. This erroneous interpretation seriously undermines the real power of the Tree. Rather, let us allow Scripture to interpret Scripture. The testimony provided in Numbers 25:3-5 emphasizes the dire necessity of the Tree when there is an outbreak of divine wrath. 

“And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel. And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor. And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.” – Num. 25:1-9

This was a day to be remembered. There were 24,000 causalities! Hourly, thousands of people were dying under the plague. Here, in a furious outbreak of divine wrath, we see the Tree put into action as a remedy in an emergency situation. Those who were chief in the trespass, “the heads of the people” (Num. 25:4), were killed and hung up on Trees! Why? The Tree was put into action so “that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel” (Num. 25:4). Therefore, in hanging these men on Trees, it is explicitly stated that they were hung up “before the LORD” (Num. 25:4), indicating that these Trees were being ceremoniously employed by God as altars for the making of an Atonement, only this time the sacrifices were men rather than animals. 

“before the LORD” – Ex. 29:42, Lev. 4:4, 6, 15, 17, 6:7, 16:7, 10, 12, 13, 18, 30 

Amazingly, the same legal terminology was used in the sacrifices of both men and animals. Therefore, the Tree was an instrument that acted like an altar. It brought sinners “before the LORD” so that the furious eyes of divinity might look upon the sacrifices! Hereby, the Tree was enabling wrath to take its mysterious course, and it will work until it is time to rest. Similarly, the fire of the altar continually burns as it consumes an animal sacrifice, and it is unquenchable until it transforms the beast into dust and ashes. The smoke thereof is a sweet-smelling savor in the nostrils of a holy God (Gen. 8:20-21, Lev. 1:9, 13, 17). Justice smiles at the sweet exercise of judgment being executed.

David was a student of the Law (Ps. 19:7-11). It was his meditation all day long (Ps. 119:97)! Therefore, it stands to reason that he knew about the Doctrine of Tree (Ps. 22). Namely, that the Tree had power to quench divine wrath! Accordingly, in speaking of the Tree, David was inspired to utter these words: 

“And wherewith shall I make the Atonement…?” – 2 Sam. 21:3

The Atonement that David was speaking about was historically manifested in the hanging of seven men on Trees. The situation evolved that day into a spectacular scene, as it was written, “…and they hanged them in the hill before the LORD” (2 Sam. 21:9). Sound familiar? 

“On a hill far away stood an old rugged Cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old Cross where the Dearest and Best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.” 

The Cross of Rome was an execution device that lifted up sinners before men, to be seen by men, but Jehovah’s Tree lifted up the spotless Lamb of God “before the LORD”, to be seen by God, rather than to be seen by men. If men are to be saved by the sight of it, it is because they are beholding the Cross of Rome and seeing Jehovah’s Tree (Jn. 12:32). 

“The great stress of the transaction lies in it being done ‘before the LORD’.” – C.H. Spurgeon 

Earthly societies gathered at the Cross of Rome to project their anger and hatred upon criminals utterly forsaken by all and hanging there to die. This was an ordinary occurrence in the Roman Empire. However, at the Cross of Christ, the divine being of God the Father was especially manifest in the pouring out of divine wrath upon a most sacred Sacrifice, in the offering of the only begotten Son of God, because while the Man was hanging there on the Cross of Rome it was legally performing the mechanism of Jehovah’s Tree.

Therefore, the Cross of Christ was different than your average Roman crucifixion. Nobody had ever been crucified like Jesus Christ! The dark clouds of divine wrath overshadowed the Man who was lifted up “before the LORD” on the hill of Calvary. The furious eyes of God were fixated on the Crucified One! Furthermore, all of this was open before the gaze of the Son of God while He was conscious and alive hanging on the Cross. In this unique case, the Cross of Rome found legal significance as Jehovah’s Tree. The Cross of Rome became the vehicle that a sovereign God used to fulfill Holy Scripture in the lawful use of the Tree.

Public Executions in the Book of Joshua

The Tree explicitly appears two more times in the Old Testament in Joshua 8:29 and Joshua 10:24-27. These passages further reinforce the fact that Deuteronomy 21:22-23 was commenting upon Numbers 25:3-5 to legally perpetuate the use of the Tree forevermore. However, in the Book of Joshua, the Tree was put to use externally in the campaign of war against the Canaanites.

Remember, Deuteronomy 21:22-23 is the only passage of Scripture in the Law that gives instruction to Israel on what to do with the bodies of the people who were stoned to death in public executions. It was written, “His body shall not remain all night upon the Tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day” (Deut. 21:22-23). Sunset in the evening time would mark the time when the body would need to come down from the Tree for burial. Joshua’s commandments show that he was minding this instruction when he hung up the Kings of the Canaanites. 

“And the king of Ai he hanged on a Tree until eventide: and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcase down from the Tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of stones, that remaineth unto this day.” – Josh. 8:29

“And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them. And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight. And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five Trees: and they were hanging upon the Trees until the evening. And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun, that Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the Trees, and cast them into the cave wherein they had been hid, and laid great stones in the cave's mouth, which remain until this very day.” – Josh. 10:24-27

Joshua was watching for the sunset in the evening time because he was minding Deuteronomy 21:23. Therefore, “as soon as the sun was down” (Josh. 8:29), Joshua gave the commandment to bury the King of Ai. Also, “at the time of the going down of the sun” (Josh. 10:27), Joshua gave the commandment to bury the five Kings of the Amorites. The circumstances were a bit different than the public execution of Jews in Israel. These were heathen Kings in the land of Canaan. Nevertheless, the operation of the Tree was accomplishing the same objective. The Tree was being used to turn away and satisfy the wrath of God.

Joshua was executing these Kings of the Canaanites, and only the Kings, similar to the commandment of Moses given in Numbers 25:4, where he said, “Take all the Heads of the people…”. Not all the people in transgression that day were hung up before the LORD on Trees. Only “the Heads of the people” were dealt with like this during a furious outbreak of divine wrath where there were many in transgression. Joshua was following this pattern because his primary concern during the war was the satisfaction of the wrath of God. Therefore, literally, Joshua took “the Heads” of the Canaanites and hung them up before the LORD.

Joshua employed the Tree at the end of each battle after the armies of these Kings were defeated. The Jews “slew the men of Ai” with the sword and “let none of them remain or escape” (Josh. 8:21, 22). “And the King of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua.” (Josh. 8:23). Joshua took the King and did what needed to be done to satisfy the God of Israel so that “the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away” (Num. 25:4). Eyewitnesses were sobered to look upon the scenery that day. In the foreground, the King of Ai could be seen hung up before the LORD on a Tree, and in the background, the city of Ai was on fire and rapidly turning into a mighty heap of ash (Josh. 8:28, 29).

The same thing was done in the next battle against the five Kings of the Amorites (Josh. 10:15-19, 22-27). But Joshua didn’t command for these men to be stoned. Isarel was at war! Therefore, naturally, these Kings were slain by the sword at the end of the battle. Literally, “Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five Trees”, even as the armies of Israel stood still and watched it being done (Josh. 10:26). These are the only explicit appearances of the Tree in the Book of Joshua. However, this brings us to an important question: Are these the only Kings of the Canaanites who were hung up on Trees? 

“And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her King: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: lay thee an ambush for the city behind it.” – Josh. 8:2

There is no historical record in the Book of Joshua describing what Joshua did to the King of Jericho. Literally, no description was given about how the King died at the end of Battle #1 in Joshua 6. However, in Joshua 8:2, as Joshua was being sent to battle against Ai, we read that Joshua was commanded to do the same thing to the King of Ai at the end of Battle #2, as was done to the King of Jericho at the end of Battle #1. Also, in the aftermath of Battle #2, we read the following emphasis. 

“Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her King, so he had done to Ai and her King; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;” – Josh. 10:1

The narrator of history is giving this emphasis for a reason. Apparently, both the Kings of Jericho and Ai were hung up on Trees. Joshua 10:1 then leads into Battle #3. This is the same battle that ended with the five Kings of the Amorites being hung up on Trees (Josh. 10:26-27). Now, this begs the question: Were all the Kings of the Canaanites hung up on Trees in the Book of Joshua?

Scripture speaks for itself. Battle #3 was a great victory! The Canaanites were terrified (Josh. 10:11-14). Many cities were easily and quickly conquered as a result of this battle. Immediately after the scene presented in Joshua 10:26-27, a moment of climax that brings the Tree into view, the narrator of history then proceeded to give us a brief record of the forthcoming battles against all the Kings of the cities that fell at “one time” in Joshua 10:28-43. The emphasis of the narrator is loudly declaring a message.

“And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the King thereof he utterly destroyed, them, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain: and he did to the King of Makkedah as he did unto the King of Jericho.” – Josh. 10:28

“Then Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all Israel with him, unto Libnah, and fought against Libnah: And the LORD delivered it also, and the King thereof, into the hand of Israel; and he smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain in it; but did unto the King thereof as he did unto the King of Jericho.” – Josh. 10:29-30

“And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought against it: And he took it, and the King thereof, and all the cities thereof; and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the souls that were therein; he left none remaining: as he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir, and to the King thereof; as he had done also to Libnah, and to her King.” – Josh. 10:38-39

All the Kings suffered the same fate. It all started with the King of Jericho (Josh. 8:2, 10:1). The same thing was done to the King of Ai (Josh. 8:29). The same thing was done to the five Kings of the Amorites (Josh. 10:26-27). Apparently, the same thing was done to the Kings of all subsequent battles! The narrator of history in the Book of Joshua makes these connections for the reader. The Kings of Makkedah (Josh. 10:28), Libnah (Josh. 10:29-30), and Debir (Josh. 10:38-39) were all hung up on Trees exactly like the King of Jericho. Moreover, the same treatment is implied for “all” the Kings of the Canaanites (Josh. 10:40, 42).

Therefore, even though the Tree is a rarity in the Book of Joshua, because it explicitly appears only two times, it could also be said that the Tree pervades the Book of Joshua, because at the conclusion of every battle during the conquest of Canaan, the Jews were then compelled to look upon the operation of the Tree as it hung up the Kings of the Canaanites before the LORD. Marvelously, the same trend continued from the Law to the Book of Joshua. The Tree was markedly present to solve the problem during internal and external situations of divine wrath. Even so, Joshua was chiefly concerned about satisfying the wrath of God in the theater of war. Therefore, readers are compelled to see how Joshua triumphed by the Tree! This is Good News.

To say the same thing at the conclusion of every battle would be superfluous and redundant for the narrator in the Book of Joshua.  The message is coming through clearly. The Tree prevailed! End of story. Joshua 10:1-27 is the climax of the war. Joshua 10:26-27 is the secret of divine satisfaction. History is abbreviated from thereon out in Joshua 10:28-43. It exists only to promote the Doctrine of the Tree. History continues to offer little to no details about the war in Joshua 11:1-23, even as the war continued for a “long time” (Josh. 11:18). Nothing more needs to be said! The story has already been told. Victory is declared by a record of all the Kings of Canaan who were slain and hung up on Trees in Joshua 12. Joshua then divided the land and gave it to the tribes of Israel as an inheritance in Joshua 13-22. Accordingly, the great congregation of Israel dispersed into their territories and found rest (Josh. 23:1); nevertheless, each individual tribe was responsible for driving out whatever remained of the Canaanites in their lands. 

“For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.” – Heb. 4:8

The Book of Jesus in the Old Testament is demonstrating to all mankind the power of the Tree. Can you believe it? Marvelously, the man we know as Joshua in the Old Testament is called “Jesus” in Hebrews 4:8. This is because Jesus is the Hellenized version of Joshua. Therefore, you could say, Joshua was a prototype of Jesus Christ. Literally, Jesus Christ was named after Joshua in the Old Testament (Num. 13:8, 16; Matt. 1:21, 23, Isa. 7:14). The similarities are staggering to behold! However, sadly, most readers in modern times are ashamed of the Book of Joshua. Scorners and blasphemers have slandered its testimony and accused Joshua of genocide in the conquest of the Promised Land. They argue that Joshua deserves to be remembered as a genocidal dictator like Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, and Genghis Khan. What do you think? 

“Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood.” – Jer. 48:10

It is a good thing that so much attention is given to this generation. Credit should be given to the wisdom of divine sovereignty. Joshua has now become infamous because of the “sword” he wielded in battle (Josh. 6:21, 8:23-26, 10:20, 28, 30, 32, 33, 35, 37, 39, 40, 11:8, 11, 12, 14, 20). However, in the days to come, I suspect that Joshua will become much more famous for his use of the Tree. 

“The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the Law, and make it honourable.” – Isa. 42:21

In our study of the Tree, our focus has been brought to one generation, Joshua’s Generation, the same people who are known as the Children of the Exodus Generation. Our Lord limited the appearance of the Tree in the Old Testament to convey a powerful message, but mocking blasphemers are trying to shut your eyes from beholding the wonder of the Tree in this mighty campaign of war. 

Joshua, the Sword, & the Tree

Is Joshua guilty of genocide? The sword of the Israelites annihilated everyone! No pity was shown to the women. No mercy was granted to the elderly. Not even the children were spared from the slaughter! Everyone that breathed was doomed to die. This is the explicit emphasis of Holy Scripture. 

Battle #1: “And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.” – Josh. 6:21 (Jericho)

Battle #2: “And the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua. And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword. And so it was, that all that fell that day, both of men and women, were twelve thousand, even all the men of Ai. For Joshua drew not his hand back, wherewith he stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai.” – Josh. 8:23-26 (Ai) 

The sword of Joshua devoured all! However, no blame should be laid upon him for these conspicuous acts of war. Rather, the attention of all should be fixed upon “the Sword of the LORD”. Joshua had a mosaic encounter with God right after entering the Promised Land and just before the first battle of the war. This theophany was the guiding vision of his life and ministry. 

“And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a Man over against him with his Sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as Captain of the Host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.” – Josh. 5:13-15

Do you understand the vision? The Sword of the LORD was unsheathed and held in a threatening posture! Consequentially, Joshua was alarmed. He then questioned the terrible Warrior that stood before him, only because Joshua expected violence to come from the mysterious Man. However, the divine Sword was not drawn against Joshua! It was for Joshua. But the Man was not going to join the battle as a mere contribution to the overall effort. Rather, the Man had come as a Commander and a Conqueror! As a divine “Captain” who was capable of fighting and winning the war all by Himself. This changed everything. 

“…the LORD fought for Israel.” – Joshua 10:14

“…the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.” – Josh. 10:42 

Joshua is wrongly accused of genocide. He only did what he was commanded to do by God (Josh. 8:27, 11:12). Manifestly, the Sword of the LORD was employed against the condemned occupiers of the Promised Land! Therefore, the Jews played an insignificant part in the divine judgment at hand. 

Battle #3: “And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword. Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.” – Josh. 10:11-14 (Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, & Eglon)

“Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Gen. 18:25). God used water to destroy everyone on earth in Noah’s day (Gen. 6). God used fire & brimstone to annihilate Sodom & Gomorrah (Gen. 19). There were no survivors among the targeted people! God had judged them all to be unsavable reprobates. Similarly, in Joshua’s Generation, God was using the Israelites to destroy the Canaanites. The Jewish people had become an instrument in the hand of God to execute the divine judgment. Their mission was to leave no survivors (Josh. 6:21, 8:23-26, 10:20, 28, 30, 32, 33, 35, 37, 39, 40, 11:8, 11, 12, 14, 20). 

“For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?” – Isa. 14:27

Joshua was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. He comprehended the message being communicated in the revelation being described in Joshua 5:13-15. An unsheathed divine Sword speaks volumes about the heart of God in this situation! Soberly consider it. This heavenly vision accurately depicted the fierceness of the wrath of God against the Canaanites. Accordingly, Joshua’s greatest priority was to satisfy the wrath of God in the execution of divine judgment. 

Joshua’s Greatest Priority was to ​Satisfy the Wrath of God

Prayerfully observe Joshua, the Sword, & the Tree in the Book of Joshua. The message is coming through loud and clear! Contrary to popular opinion, Joshua’s greatest priority was not to win battles. Theoretically, Israel could win the war and be personally satisfied with victory, and while celebrating, they could then come under the wrath of God. The Jews learned this lesson the hard way in their first victory against Jericho because someone took an “accursed thing” from the city and brought it into the camp of Israel (Josh. 6:17-18). 

“But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.” – Josh. 7:1

God was furious with the Canaanites! However, if Israel ever made peace with the Canaanites, or coveted after something forbidden among their stuff and thereby touched the unclean thing, the wrath of God that was hotly pursuing the heathen would then come upon Israel (Josh 23:12-16). Accordingly, the transgression of one Israelite, named Achan, occasioned the death of 36 men in battle against Ai (Josh 7; Josh 22:20). Furthermore, God would no longer be with Israel as long as the “accursed thing” remained among them (Josh. 7:12-13). It had to be dealt with! Joshua took this seriously. The holiness of the Israelite people had to be restored (Josh. 23:7, 2 Cor. 6:17-18). 

“So the LORD turned from the fierceness of His anger.” – Josh. 7:26

Obviously, Joshua was especially concerned about the wrath of God in the battle against Ai. Israel was at a vulnerable stage in the overall campaign of war. They suffered a loss at only the second battle! And their adversaries were taking note (Josh. 7:8-9). The Amorites were smelling blood! A defeat before Ai was perceived to be a moment of weakness for Israel. They lost the aura of invincibility before the enemies. Therefore, the Kings of the Amorites would not let this opportunity pass without attacking Israel with the full force of their armies (Gen. 15:16, Josh. 10:5-6, 12). Joshua knew this was going to happen after Israel lost in battle against Ai. In his own words, Joshua said in distress: 

“For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name?” – Josh. 7:9

The circumstances were perfect to convey the central message of the Book of Joshua. Joshua had to be sure that the wrath of God was going to be quenched in the final battle against Ai. The Jews were searching for security in a time of need! It was then that the Tree made its first explicit appearance in the Book of Joshua. This lovely scene deserves a second reading. 

“And the King of Ai he hanged on a Tree until eventide: and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcase down from the Tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of stones, that remaineth unto this day.” – Josh. 8:29

Obviously, the Tree was used to ensure the satisfaction of the wrath of God. Joshua remembered how it ceremoniously functioned like an altar when “the Heads” of the people in rebellion at Baalpeor were hung up before the LORD. Even after the death of 24,000 Jews at Baalpoer, the Tree successfully “turned away” the “fierce anger of the LORD” (Num. 25:3-5)! Even so, this remarkable moment for Joshua’s Generation could never be forgotten (Josh. 22:17). It was their moment of weakness. Similarly, after the death of 36 men, Joshua was comforted by the Tree at the city of Ai. The Tree had the power to make bitter things sweet (Ex. 15:25).

Joshua recognized that God was pleased when the federal Heads of sinners were sacrificed and lifted up via the Tree as an atonement. Hence, Joshua was determined to use the Tree in the conclusion of every battle. This was Joshua’s frame of mind going into Battle #3 against Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, & Eglon. Historically, this wasn’t going to be an ordinary battle. This is the battle that wins the war! Therefore, consequentially, the use of the Tree in this battle turns out to be the most important explicit appearance of the Tree in Joshua’s ministry. 

“…they came out as a whirlwind to scatter me: their rejoicing was as to devour the poor secretly. Thou didst walk through the sea with thine horses, through the heap of great waters.” – Hab. 3:14-15

Joshua’s fears were realized when the Kings of the Amorites mustered their forces and attacked Israel with all their armies. Remember, the Amorites were attempting to take advantage of Israel’s weakness after they were defeated by Ai. In the words of Habakkuk, the Amorites came out as a whirlwind to scatter the Israelites! Their rejoicing was to devour the poor Jews in a secret attack! But a whirlwind of heathen armies environing the Israelites turned out to be no problem for the LORD of Hosts (Josh. 7:9). If the whirlwinds of ferocious clouds all about the crystal walls of the Red Sea didn’t startle or distress the angelic armies of Jehovah, then neither could a whirlwind of armies attacking Israel on all sides put Jehovah at a disadvantage (Hab. 3:15; Nah. 1:3). Regal, the LORD stretched out His “glittering spear” at the incoming armies, and divine arrows as bolts of lightning rained down upon the Amorites during a furious hailstorm of crushing power like the world has never seen (Josh. 10:11-14). 

“The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear. Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh the heathen in anger.” – Hab. 3:11-12

This is the most famous battle of Joshua’s lifetime. This is the one that everyone remembers! It was also the most inspiring experience for Israelite soldiers. The faith of the people was rock solid after this point! The fine details of the battle are provided by the narrator (Josh. 10:11-14). Even the sun and moon stood still in the sky as the LORD fought for Israel! Evidently, God was angry. He wasn’t going to wait any longer! He wasn’t going to wait another day! The day was lengthened to finish the judgment. The full force of the wrath of God was being brought to bear upon the heathen in this magnificent battle. This is the battle that won the war. The concluding scene of the battle deserves a second reading alongside the words of Habakkuk. 

“And it came to pass, when they brought out those Kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these Kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them. And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight. And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five Trees: and they were hanging upon the Trees until the evening. And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun, that Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the Trees, and cast them into the cave wherein they had been hid, and laid great stones in the cave's mouth, which remain until this very day.” – Josh. 10:24-27

“Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed; Thou woundedst the Head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah. Thou didst strike through with his staves the Head of his villages: they came out as a whirlwind to scatter me: their rejoicing was as to devour the poor secretly.” – Hab. 3:13-14

After everyone was dead and the battle was over, the time had come for the Tree to do its mysterious work in quenching the wrath of God as it was manifest towards the Canaanites. This is the most famous manifestation of divine wrath in the Law! Accordingly, this story exemplifies the power of the Tree. Because when the federal Heads of the Canaanites were hung up before the LORD at the conclusion of these battles, it was then that the furious wrath of Almighty God became silent and still. This brings us to a spectacular realization! There is only one thing that can stop the strongest manifestation of divine wrath known to mankind: the Tree.
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Historically, the first time the Tree was employed was to stop a fierce outbreak of divine wrath among the Jews, and for the Tree to do its work “the Heads of the people” had to be hung up “before the LORD” (Num. 25:4). The same employment of the Tree was put to work among the Canaanites. Literally, the Kings of the Canaanites were being identified by Habakkuk as “the Head out of the House of the Wicked” and “the Head of his villages” in the climax of the song (Hab. 3:13-14). Obviously, the wound being delivered to the Heads was a mortal wound (Hab. 3:13), like the “cut” described in Amos 9:1. This wound was a mighty deathblow! In other words, a divine hand did “strike through” these Kings (Hab. 3:14), like the deadly and destructive striking of the Messiah in the 2nd Advent War (Ps. 110:5-6). How? We would never know without the testimony of Habakkuk.

Some essential details about the Tree in the Book of Joshua would be left to speculation without further light being given through the Prophet Habakkuk. How were the dead bodies fastened to Trees during the war? Remember, this was a key part to the process of hangings, and each race was known to employ different tactics throughout history. Habakkuk draws our attention to the “staves” as the instrument used to “strike through” the Kings when they were hung up on Trees (Hab. 3:14).

“Staves” were a common weapon used by average and unprofessional fighters in ancient times (Hab. 3:14; 1 Sam. 17:43). Walking sticks and family namesake staffs were easily sharpened into weapons before a battle if the people didn’t own a sword (Gen. 32:10, Ex. 12:11, Num. 21:18). Ezekiel called them “handstaves” (Ezek. 39:9). In any given army there would likely be hundreds of swords and thousands of staves depending on the size of the host (Matt. 26:47, 55).

Accordingly, in the aftermath of battle, the staves of fallen fighters would be scattered everywhere. Therefore, when it came time to hang the Kings on Trees, the staves of their own armies were plucked up from the ground and used to fasten these cursed Heads upon the wood. In so doing, the LORD brought desolation upon the families of these Kingdoms, an irreparable destruction, like discovering the foundation of their houses in the demolition of their villages (Hab. 3:13; Ps. 137:7).