Son Safaris

Africa has many different types of trees. Each landscape has its own variety. As a training ranger with Sabi Sabi private Game reserve in South Africa, I had the introductory task of identifying more than 90 trees. The requirements were to learn English, scientific and common names, as well as medicinal uses coupled with local folklore. The timeline to achieve this task was ten days or less.   A daunting task but one which made me realize how much I could learn from trees  but first I had to be willing to take the time and a closer look.

One tree I had the opportunity to learn about and admire was the Buffalo Thorn (Ziziphus Mucranata).  From a distance it looks serene with its small shiny leaves glistening under the African sun. But if you venture too close to admire its beauty, you risk becoming a victim of its stealthy grasp.

The Buffalo Thorn has some rare and unusual features. The first is the way the branch develops into a zigzag pattern.   It also has two very sharp thorns all along its windy branches. Not just two thorns, but two different types of thorns.  One type is on the top of the branch and it is pointy and straight. The second variety is on the underside of the branch and is hook-shaped. And to make the Buffalo Thorn even more treacherous, the thorns face in opposite directions.

If you are unfortunate enough to stumble into the branches of the beautiful Buffalo Thorn, you'll instantly feel the stab of the sharp straight thorn first. In an effort to escape the pain from the stab, the second hooked thorn is there to take hold and not let go. A trapped situation creates agony since with each effort to move away from the secret hook you jerk forward only to be stabbed again by a razor sharp companion.  The struggle continues until the trapped person or animal is tangled up in a world of straight and hooked thorns piercing the skin. OUCH!!!

In Afrikaans, a South African language this tree is called the Wag-'n-Bietjie Boom. In English it means The Wait-a- Bit Tree. Cleverly named because it makes you wait a bit to be unhooked from its painful grip.

As game rangers, we shared the three aspects of the folklore of the TREE of LIFE:

The zigzag structure of the branch represents our path in life which is never straight. We never seem to be able to stay on track and always veer to the left or the right.

The straight forward thorn facing us signifies looking to the future to see what is ahead.

But the hook thorn reminds us not to forget what we have seen or experienced in the past.

Understanding God Through His Creation

The zigzag design of the Buffalo Thorn tree represents our life and reminds me that God  has a plan for us to follow. Yet, all too often, we stray away from His will. The result is our path is never straight. However, when we do come back to the path the Lord has for us, we are reminded of His Grace which has never left us. He will never zigzag from us. His path of righteousness is straight and true.

The hook thorn represents our past and what Christ did for us. Thousands of years ago Christ was crucified and died on a cross for our sins. There is nothing we can do to earn His love. Christ shed His blood and died to save us. This is in the past.

Just as the prophecies concerning Christ’s virgin birth, sacrificial death, and resurrection were fulfilled, so also His promise to save those who choose Him as their Lord and Savior will be fulfilled. The straight thorn represents what Christians look forward to – the eternal gift of eternity with Him.  This is the  future that awaits those who believe.

Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. John 5:24