Golden Tree
Author: Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712
Image Title: Golden Tree
Scripture Reference:
- Luke 6 (further images / scripture text)
Description: In an orchard, an old and a young man stand at opposite sides of a tree with a ribbon wound around its trunk that is inscribed: The Law of your Mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of Gold and Silver (Psalm 119:72). In the background a man chooses between a wide and a narrow gate. The Dutch artist and poet Jan Luiken (1649-1712), whose initials are at the lower right, was responsible for drawing and etching this emblem and for the poem that accompanies it (below). The attendant scripture text is Luke 6:38.
Poem:
Once upon a time a wise man came by,
And saw his friend’s orchard,
Enjoyable because of the fruit bearing trees;
Although he was kind to him,
He opened his heart’s chest,
And let a wise advice stream.
Very wonderful and of great worth:
How he in the middle of that Orchard,
(After the extreme pleasure
In his praiseworthiness and faithfulness,)
Should plant a miracle Tree,
That would bear golden apples:
But only if he took the food for this trunk,
From all those other trees,
And left those without fruit.
How the profit-greedy heart laughed,
To be given such advice,
While he did not even bewail his orchard.
The Orchard, of pleasure,
Represents all matter of this Time;
To plant the Golden Tree therein;
Can be understood as the true word
That is heard from God’s Wisdom:
In this way his fruit blooms on all sides,
The Golden Apples which it bears,
After which the profit greedy heart asks,
Represents Benefit and Profit for the Soul;
Because a Quarter of Heavenly-matter
Weighs more than a thousand pounds of earthly matter,
Yes, if the scale could hold that amount;
If then the Mouth of Wisdom says,
How one the earthly wickedness and evil
Should sell, and also divide,
And make for oneself purses that remain,
And perish never in eternity,
But will heal all distress and needs;
How is one then so halfhearted,
As if one didn’t completely understand this,
And could not believe this Advice?
Since otherwise the Ear, the word of Gold,
So faithfully receives, locks and keeps,
And thinks: No deaf man hears that advantage.
Oh Man! He who praises you as a Christian,
And who calls Christ your Lord,
Who teaches you to plant the Golden Tree,
In your pleasant Orchard,
Consisting of all worldly matters,
Learn to pay close attention to your heart:
Whether the Heavenly or the Earthly goods
Weigh heaviest in your soul;
Because if the Friend believed his friend,
And nevertheless left that Tree unplanted,
So one saw how clear reason,
Was obscured by earthly darkness.
(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker)
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