Cutting down all the trees

I think I understand the economic reasons why developers cut down every tree on a lot on which they are going to build—both residential and commercial. But I can’t understand the shortsightedness of ruining a landscape. Drainage, air quality, beauty, shade, etc, etc.

I felt so very seen and heard when I read this Scripture passage today…

When you besiege a city for a long time, making war against it in order to take it, you shall not destroy its trees by wielding an axe against them. You may eat from them, but you shall not cut them down. Are the trees in the field human, that they should be besieged by you? Only the trees that you know are not trees for food you may destroy and cut down, that you may build siegeworks against the city that makes war with you, until it falls.

— Deuteronomy 20

Thanks Alan Jacobs and gospelofthetrees.net!

2 Replies to “Cutting down all the trees”

  1. Hi Ben! Interesting thought – but a) I see building sites where all the trees are not removed…and I don’t know that I see much of any connection between the Scripture and construction practices in a developed nation. But it’s good to hear from you. God bless.

    1. Hi Steve! Good to hear from you. This was somewhat lighthearted. I lived in a neighborhood in Atlanta that was called “Sexton Woods” where it was popular to buy small ranch homes, tear them down, and build huge houses. They tore down every tree. It wreaked havoc with drainage and they were literally taking away the woods. Anyway, I thought it was nice to see God telling the Israelites not to cut down the trees. No doctrine inferred at all :). Tell everyone I said hi!

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