For Future Generations

Gen 21:33-34
33 Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and he worshiped the LORD, the Eternal God, at that place. 34 And Abraham lived in Philistine country for a long time. (NLT)
I was reading my KJV on this verse and it says that  'Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba'. When I compared it to my NLT they said 'Abraham planted a tamarisk tree there in Beersheba'. Now, I don't know about you, but when I hear about trees being planted I think of oaks, maples, pear trees, and ornamental cherries, etc., but I've never heard of anybody planting a tamarisk tree. Its absence in other places only makes it more intriquing as to why he planted a 'tamarisk tree' here.
In Gen. 21:9-13, Abraham had a very difficult exchange of harsh words with his wife Sarah. She wanted Ishmael out of the way. This hurt Abraham because this was still his son.  Abraham was being forced to drive the two out of the community. Struggling w/ deep personal conflict because of this matter, God told him it was okay to send Hagar and Ishmael out. In doing this, God told Abraham that his descents would come from Isaac, the child born to Sarah, but that he would still honor the son born to Hagar and make a nation out of his descendents as well. By saying that, God guaranteed Hagar and Ishmael's safety and destiny, and that promise brought enough comfort to allow Abraham to release them.  In doing so, Abraham planted a grove of trees and those trees were tamarisk trees. But what is so significant about this tree? Why did he plant a tamarisk and not some other tree?
First, this tree is know for its long life, its very deep roots, its extremely hard wood, and being a great competitior among other plants. These trees have great staying power, are good for shade, can get water from very deep below the surface and they don't get crowded out by other species.They are hard because they take a lot of time to mature. A great tree for tomorrow but won't give you any kooling shade today!
But Abraham's clan was nomadic. You don’t plant a tamarisk for yourself because they grow too slow. And being nomadic, he and his family would hardly ever be around to use the shade from those trees. They grow to slow!
Dear one, Abraham wasn't thinking now, he planted it for future generations, not the present one. Abraham believed God's promise to him that there would be many people, many descendants to his extended family and that while there was plenty of space for him now, he began to live the vision God placed in him. He knew there would be many settling and making homes where there was now only sand and space. Abraham believed God so much that basically he was saying, I trust your word God, I am planting this tree for the many generations to come. My family is going to be living here. This shade is not for me but for the generations to come. I’ll never get to use it but they will.”

Now lets apply this perspective to us today. How much of what we do in life is done for just ourselves? Our comfort, our profit, our satisfaction? Do we do anything to bless or to plant a seed for the generations that are to come? Is there anything that you are currently involved in that will outlive you? Here's a thought...... do something this week that will benefit people long after you are gone.