COMMENT AND COMMENTARY FROM STEVE SHULTZ, MODERATOR OF THE ELIJAH LIST ABOUT THE "VISION OF THE SILLY TREE."

WHAT IS IT THAT IS SILLY?

---Some have written to me and surely some more will yet write to me asking me to define what Bob Jones meant by "silly" in his vision of the silly tree.

Here's my well-thought-out answer:

"I don't know."

However, I have a sneaking suspicion that it doesn't mean what some would "jump to the conclusion" of saying it means.

Here's what it doesn't mean. There are some not very beautiful people in the church. They don't get much attention. Nobody thinks they are very important at all. This is how Bob Jones (thru Keith Davis) worded it. There were certain trees that, "did not have beautiful blossoms nor an abundance of leaves, however, upon careful examination greatly beneficial fruit could be seen being produced from these humble trees."

So this vision DOES NOT MEAN, that the people who are NOT beautiful and who may even seem foolish in the eyes of the "beautiful people" in the church-- it does NOT mean that THEY ARE SILLY. So, being silly means something else.

However, in the same vision, This is what Bob saw that WAS SILLY:

"Bob's attention was then directed to the center of the orchard where a large seemingly beautiful tree resided. When looking at this tree from a distance it was clear that bright pretty blossoms were being produced that were very appealing to the natural eye. This tree was so exuberant that anyone visiting the orchard would see this tree and hardly even notice the other more humble fruit bearing trees. Bob thought that surely this tree would have an abundance of fruit based upon its outward appearance."

So Elijah List members, what WAS silly had an appearance that was "beautiful" and had pretty blossoms--"TO ANYONE VISITING THE ORCHARD". People would think that this tree WOULD HAVE an abundance of fruit based on its APPEALING appearance.

Are you getting an idea of what "silly" is here?

What he saw looked beautiful from a distance, and I believe the idea is that it looks beautiful to even a prophet--from a distance. But when Bob got closer, he saw that it bore no fruit, was totally barren, and was distracting attention away from the truly fruit-bearing trees.

Let the reader understand that the Lord gave Bob a vision so that the church would go and SEARCH out the meaning. What is it in the church that is beautiful to the eye, but bears no fruit--It looks good from a distance to everybody, but it serves only to distract attention from the humble fruit-bearing trees?

I don't know the answer. But I have some pretty good ideas. If you’ve already deleted your copy of the vision, you can find it at http://www.seeklost.com/elijahlist/words.htm so that you can re-read it. What is it that God is saying about and to the church? What looks good to nearly everybody--from a distance, but bears NO FRUIT?

Don't write to me asking me what I really secretly feel it is. I really REALLY don't know. But I believe the vision is true! Here's a great scripture for you .

Prov. 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

We are the Kings and Priests. Let's start searching.
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12/3/98

Dear Steve

I happened to catch your comments concerning the "vision of the Silly Tree "and felt compelled to share with you that your discernment in the matter is exactly right. When we first began to put this vision together we had many examples and considerable commentary that we were going to include that specifically enumerated issues in the church that we perceived as silly and distracting. However, the Lord very specifically dealt with us on this matter and directed us to a more concise word leaving the interpretation to the Holy Spirit.

Remembering that this word is going out to a very broad audience helped to understand the wisdom in keeping it concise. I believe the Lord is earnestly desiring to move us into far greater maturity and keen discernment essential for growth.

Again, thanks for your wise response. Abundant Blessings.

Keith Davis