Goldenrod

This is Goldenrod, and it is not hard to realise how it came by its name. Those who have visited London’s Tower may have seen a number of sceptres among the collection of crown jewels, of which this plant’s name and appearance speak. Originally a weapon- a mace, the sceptre became a ceremonial token of kingship and royal authority. In Genesis 49, Balaam beholds an eternal sceptre coming from Israel, a portent of Messiah’s reign.

Yet unlike our lovely flower, His sceptre is often pictured as one of iron, not gold: Psalm 2 and Revelation 2 speak of Christ’s rod of iron, with which He smashes and obliterates that which is evil. Christ the Eternal One needs no gold to add sparkle to His magnificence, but His final judgment and destruction of wickedness will be sure and final.