symbolizes the first germinations of really spiritual endeavor, put forth by the mind. The herb yielding seed is a higher form of vegetation. It refers, naturally, to the various grains, such as wheat, barley, or rye, whose seed is a nutritious food for man. But spiritually it is a higher spiritual endeavor which produces something true and good. The fruit tree yielding fruit represents a still higher endeavor which bears the fruits of a yet more spiritual life. The idea is still enforced in the parable that even first endeavors at spiritual things have their degrees of effort, weak, stronger, stronger yet, good, better, better still, as life goes on.
It is said, "Whose seed is in itself upon the earth," in allusion to the natural fact of the tree producing fruit in which is seed and from whence new trees spring forth to the production of still other fruit, again producing seed, and thus, as it were, in a circle perpetually. The spiritual truth this represents is, that what is spiritual tends to produce continually newer forms of spiritual thought and life and this in endless succession forever.
"And God saw that it was good." Yes, God sees that this also is good; good again, however, for its time and season; good as a stepping stone to the better. For that which is yet more spiritual must, in its due order, come.
