DYNAMITE!!!

   ‘Dynamite Tree’ on Saint John CC BY 2.0.

Did you know there is a tree called ‘The Dynamite Tree?  Referred to on various websites as ‘The most deadly tree in the world’, ‘ A tree built to kill’ and a ‘Tree that wants you dead!’   (See photo above). The tree bark is covered with needle-sharp, knife-like, stabbing points.  Eating its fruit or coming in contact with its sap can cause an angry red rash on your skin, vomiting and diarrhea.  If you get it in your eyes, it may cause blindness.  BUT, the worst and most deadly thing about this tree is its exploding fruit.  Hence its name, ‘The Dynamite Tree’.  The fruit looks like small pumpkins.  Don’t be fooled!  It is a ‘fruit bomb’, ‘a seed grenade!’  All they need is heat and dryness to ignite!  As they dry, they lose half their moisture.  Their 15 sections become so dry, they violently split apart from each other, sending seeds and shell fragments flying away at 150 MPH!

This sends the seeds up to 60 feet away from the tree in a very effective seed dispersal system, unfortunately humans and animals can be seriously hurt if caught in the crossfire!  This is why ‘Garden Know How’ calls this tree, ‘The most dangerous plant in the world’ and declares it ‘not suitable for home landscapes or any landscape actually.’  Fortunately, these trees are primarily found in the tropical forests of South America and the Amazonian Rainforest, NOT IN YOUR BACKYARD!

This tree is a metaphor about some people in this world we are admonished to stay away from. They are just as dangerous and deadly as the ‘Dynamite Tree! The Bible says, ‘The righteous choose their friends carefully.’  Proverbs 12:26.

It continues to admonish us saying, ‘Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.  Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble. They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.’  Proverbs 4:14-18.

AND, ‘My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. If they say, ‘Come along with us; let’s lie in wait for innocent blood, let’s ambush some harmless soul; let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; cast lots with us; we will all share the loot”—my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood.’  Proverbs 1:10-16.

Instead, find Jesus!  The greatest friend anyone could possibly have!  After all, He is a ‘friend who sticks closer than a brother.’  Proverbs 18:24. An exceptionally loyal, steadfast and supportive companion, having a deeper loyalty than even family!  AND He calls you His friend if you know Him!  He said, ‘I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.  You did not choose me, but I chose you.’ 
John 15:15-16.

He proved how much He loves us by laying down His life for us.  ‘Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’  John 15:13.

BE WISE, CHOOSE HIM!