The fig tree grows as a low spreading shrub or as a tall tree, depending on the location and soil. The blossoms and first crop of figs appear before the leaves are fully matured. There are usually two crops on a tree.
Figs are a useful fruit, capable of being eaten fresh or dried and used in poultices to aid the healing of boils. Adam and Eve used fig leaves to cover themselves in the garden of Eden after they had sinned.
The fig tree is used throughout scripture to represent people set apart to serve God. Christ condemned the fig tree because the leaves were a sign the fruit should have been well developed. Though we can try to deceive God by having an outward appearance of righteousness, it will be clear to Him that we are unfruitful.
In whatever situation we find ourselves, whether we grow tall or spread as a shrub, we must have blossoms of faith that produce fruit of good works. Fruit is a product of the blossom and our fruit is a reflection of our faith.
The fruit of the fig tree healed the blemish of a boil (Isa. 38:21). Faith is the fruit that allows God to account us as righteous (Rom. 4) and provide healing of our sickness to death. Those of Israel were to serve God and so reflect their faith but they produced only leaves which looked good but would not provide nourishment or the healing of fleshly blemishes.
As followers of Christ, we need to heed the parable of the fig tree. When it puts forth its leaves, the time to pick the fruit has arrived. Our blossoms need to develop and give glory to God, so that when Jesus comes he will find much fruit.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One