The Olive Tree
Friday, September 8, 2006 at 08:54PM
The Olive Tree
By; Dan Fraley
One of the most remarkable trees is the olive tree. Most of us are not too familiar with the olive tree because they do not grow near where we live. However, in the land of the Bible, it was, and is, the most important of all the trees. It is the source of food, light, hygiene, healing (Ex. 27:20, Lev. 24:2), and religious ceremonies (Ex. 30:24-25)
When I went to Israel, I was fascinated by olive trees growing everywhere on nothing but rocks. Steep terraced mountainsides were covered with them even up in the Galilee area. Their gnarled and twisted trunks with evergreen tops made them look wise and noble. It is this grace and character that sets them apart from other trees. It is no wander this was the tree used as a symbol of the children of Israel. These characteristics of the olive tree used by the writers of the Bible told us about God, Israel and our relationship to both.
We are set apart from the world just as the olive tree is set apart from other trees. When we are grafted onto this tree, we join our brothers in faith, the Jews, and together we worship the Most High God and wait patiently for our Savior.
After the flood in Noah's time, the olive tree was the only plant left that did not have to come back by seeds (Gen.8:11). The dove came back with an olive branch with leaves. In an experiment at the Hebrew University, an olive tree was placed under water for several months, and even though the leaves rotted off, when the water was removed it brought on leaves. It can also withstand extreme drought.
The Mount of Olives, was a favorite place for Jesus (lk. 22:39) and Gat Shemen or Garden of Gethsemane in Hebrew means "olive press". If you have a chance to visit Israel, you will see olive trees that were there when Jesus was.
Lessons we can learn from the olive tree, which symbolizes faithfulness and steadfastness are found throughout the Bible. Read; Psalm 52:8, 128:3. Three entire chapters in Romans (9-11) the olive tree is used by Paul to describe the relationship between Israel (the Jewish people and God's ancient ongoing covenant relationship) and the church/Christians. LOVE THE NATURAL BRANCHES!
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