Bible Flowers: The Crocus
Bible Flowers: The Crocus.
“Spring flowers are unfolding in the fields. The season of glad songs has come, the cooing of the turtledoves is heard in the land. The fig tree is forming its first figs, and the blossoming vines give out their fragrance. Come then, my beloved, my lovely one, come away with me.” (Song of Songs 2:12-13).
Every flower and blossom mentioned in Scripture has a story to tell. Bible flowers are planted in a context, and could be anything from an object lesson or sermon illustration, to a metaphor or a symbol, or perhaps simply a prime example of some of God’s creative genius. No matter what, when we study the flowers of the Bible, we will undoubtedly come to understand the Scriptures that much better,, whether we’re referring to the Henna blooms (Song of Songs 1:14) or the almond tree blossoms (Numbers 17:8); the Rose of Sharon (Song of Songs 2:1) or the hyssop flowers ( ); the Lily of the Valley (Song of Songs 2:1) or the Pomegranate blooms (Ex 28:33); the Crocus Saffron (Is. 35:1-2) or the myriads of wildflowers (Matt. 6:28-29); the Myrtle blooms or Willow blossoms (Ps. 137:1-2).
Is it true that everything physical points to something spiritual? That creation inevitably guides us back to the Creator? That physical realities in nature reflect spiritual realities in supernature? That God’s handiwork leads us to the Handiworker?
Beauty and Fragrance. Flowers are prime examples of how something that appeals to our physical senses can refer us to our spiritual senses. Let’s consider two wondrous qualities of flowers that help us praise the Maker at a deeper level: Beauty and Fragrance. Is there any doubt that only a beautiful God could have created the beauty we discover in flowers? Or that the sweet-smelling aroma of flowers serve to deepen our understanding of the Christian’s role in the world as the aroma of Christ? Because flowers lead the way in appealing to our natural senses, they are able to help us mere mortals to sense God in the full meaning of the term.
Senses and Symbols. Scripture loves to use our physical senses as symbols because if there’s one thing about us we can truly understand, it’s our senses. We may not truly understand our thoughts and actions, but we can understand our tangible senses. So the Bible uses our senses as reference points for how we can experience God more deeply. Our senses represent ways of participating in the Faith, of growing and knowing. Scripture encourages believers to use our senses both literally and spiritually in experiencing God. We can, with God’s help, sense God figuratively, using our physical senses as ideas that trigger a deeper understanding of the Faith.
“Let the arid desert and dry lands be glad! Let the wastelands rejoice and bloom like the crocus! Let it burst into flower and blossom abundantly! Let it rejoice and sing for joy! The deserts will become as green as the glorious mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon. Then they will see the glory of Lord Yahweh, the splendor and majesty of our God.” (Isaiah 35:1-2).
Crocus. The biblical crocus was also called the crocus saffron, or the meadow saffron. It is a bulbed flowering plant that was able to bloom in very challenging conditions, such as cold temperatures, dry soil, and barren land. The crocus withstood drought during the summer months, and was known to even sprout before the first rainfall in autumn. The crocus was an early bloomer in late winter and early spring, so it was a symbol of hope, renewal, and new life. Because of its resilience and seeming victory over death in nature, the crocus became known as the “Easter Flower,” representing spiritual awakening and the resurrection. The crocus flowers bloom in a variety of vibrant colors, including white, purple and yellow.
In Other Words: “Wilderness and desert will sing joyously, the badlands will celebrate and flower – Like the crocus in spring, bursting into blossom, a symphony of song and color. Mountain glories of Lebanon – gifts. Awesome Carmel, stunning Sharon – gifts. God’s resplendent glory, fully on display. God awesome, God majestic.” (Is. 35:1-2, the Message).
Prophecy in Poetry. Isaiah is known as the greatest prophet-poet in Scripture, and the entire passage in Isaiah 35 reveals him at his best. He trusts completely in the Lord’s promise to eventually restore Israel and redeem the people of God. In his exuberance he imaginatively describes what the coming of the messianic age will mean to the healed bodies and spirits of those who trust in God. Isaiah declares that the Lord will bring brand new life, just like the crocus after a long winter. Isaiah’s spiritual vision is triumphant as he paints a joyful picture of redemption and restoration. In the place of defeat and despair, the Lord will bring deep gladness, beauty, and a time of unprecedented flourishing. He closes this victorious passage with a hopeful glimpse of when the resurrected bodies of believers will rise to new life in a restored Jerusalem at the coming of the Messiah:
“And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with shouts of gladness and singing; their heads shall be crowned with everlasting joy, unfading halos of joy encircling their heads; rejoicing and gladness will escort them, and sorrow and sighing shall take flight and flee away!” (Isaiah 35:10).