In this lesson, we explore the rich Hebrew idiom “to sit under a fig tree”—a phrase that, in ancient Jewish culture, came to mean sitting under the teaching of a Rabbi.

But how did a fig tree come to symbolize a Rabbi?

We begin with Proverbs 27:18, which draws a comparison between tending a fig tree and attending to one’s master. In both, the goal is the same: to cultivate fruit.

In Luke 8:24, the disciples refer to Jesus as “Master,” echoing this same dynamic.

The Hebrew Bible often uses trees as metaphors for people—Jesus himself says, “you will know them by their fruits.” This symbolic relationship between humanity and trees is not only poetic—it’s profound.

We'll trace this symbolism further through Psalm 1:3, where the one who meditates (Hebrew hagah) on the Torah is described as a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in season.

In the first century, it was the Rabbis who hagah-ed the Scriptures—ruminating, growling over, and digesting the text in order to pass on insights to their students.

​In this context, the Rabbi becomes like a fig tree, cultivated for the sake of producing fruit in others.

Join us as we uncover the layered beauty of this ancient imagery, and see how sitting under a fig tree becomes a powerful metaphor for discipleship, wisdom, and spiritual nourishment.

Note:  These are the same lesson handouts as Week 21a

In this two-part series, we begin by diving deep into the Hebrew concept of meditation—a practice that is far more active and engaged than what most of us imagine today.

In the modern Western world, "meditation" often conjures images of stillness, silence, and mental detachment—emptying the mind to escape the clutter of thought. But in the Bible, the Hebrew word translated as meditate is "Hagah" (הגה)—a word that paints a very different picture.

"Hagah" doesn’t mean silence or stillness. It means to murmur, to groan, or even to growl—like a lion over its prey. And when the object of that groaning is Scripture, it becomes a powerful metaphor for how we are to engage God’s Word. Biblical meditation is not about detachment—it’s about devotion, delight, and diligent pursuit.

In this lesson, we’ll explore:

- Meditation v. Contemplation through the lens of Spiritual Disciplines. 

- The original meaning and usage of "hagah" in the Hebrew Bible.

- How this word helps us reimagine what it means to "meditate" on God’s Word.

- Why this ancient practice invites us to seek out the treasures in Scripture with focused intensity.

Join us as we reclaim this dynamic practice of meditation—not as a quiet retreat, but as a vocal, physical, and focused pursuit of God’s Word.

👉 Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll explore the ancient comparison between humans and fruit trees—and how this metaphor connects to the spiritual discipline of meditation.

Lesson Handout(s) - for both Part 1 and part 2

Human Beings and Tree Metaphor - 

In this lesson, we explore the rich and multi-layered dialogue between Jesus and Nathanael in John 1:47–51. 

What begins with a curious statement about a man “under the fig tree” ends with a stunning reference to Jacob’s dream—the vision of angels ascending and descending from Genesis 28:10–15. But the connections don’t stop there.

You’ll discover how Jesus quotes Psalm 32:2, a psalm of David, and yet the ancient Rabbinic Midrash on that same verse ties it directly to Jacob, leading to a remarkable overlap of themes. 

Is it a coincidence? Not likely—there are no coincidences in Scripture.

🔍 In this teaching, we explore:

-  The significance of Jesus quoting Psalm 32:2
-  The Rabbinic Midrash that connects that Psalm to Jacob and the angelic ladder
-  Why “sitting under the fig tree” is more than just a casual detail
-  How Proverbs 27:18 (“He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit”) helps us interpret Nathanael’s character
-  The broader symbolism of angels ascending and descending and what it reveals about Jesus

This lesson introduces the passage's kaleidoscope-like depth, with each layer revealing a new, awe-inspiring angle on Jesus’s identity and mission.

Lesson Handout: