Join us below as we discover how planting an olive tree is more than an act of beautification or gardening. It is an act of love, echoing for generations to come.
Olive Trees within the Word:
At first glance, planting an olive tree might not appear to be life changing or an act of great love. After all, what is being done? Simply growing and then planting a tree in a new place. Right?
Well, if we look through man’s eyes, then yes, we could say it is simply a matter of growing and then replanting a tree; a useful way to better the area and cause the landscape to become pleasing. Yet, by listening to the will of God, His Words, and seeing what one action can mean to many… it becomes more. Because to God, it is an act of love.
“Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth.”—Genesis 8:11
After the earth flooded and God had the waters recede, Noah sent a dove out. At first it did not return with anything, but Noah trusted God and sent the dove out again, until at last the dove returned with proof of the earth becoming dry. An olive leaf. Yes, the first plant God returned to man after He began afresh was an olive tree. Of the thousands upon thousands of plants God could have chosen, He specifically chose an olive tree, because to Him they hold special significance. His very Word confirms this over and over again…
God had man use the oil produced by olive trees as part of the holy anointing oil to be made for use in the Temple. He also had man anoint themselves with that very same anointing oil when they were to become priests or kings. The olive oil, with the appropriate spices, being a pleasing aroma to God, as well as a covenant relationship with man—allowing select people to not only utilize it to honor God, but to seal priests and kings appointed by God.
“And you shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister to Me as priests.”—Exodus 30:30
“Then Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man! Thus says the Lord God of Israel: “I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.”’”—2 Samuel 12:7
“There let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel; and blow the horn, and say, ‘Long live King Solomon!’”—1 Kings 1:34
However, the importance of olive trees and their produce within the Word of God does not stop there. Olive oil is found in many stories of blessing in the Word, such as when the widow’s two sons were going to be taken from her if she could not pay her late husband’s debts…
God sent a prophet to launch her into her blessing and promise. This prophet, Elisha, told her to gather all of the empty vessels she could and to go into her house, latch the door, and pour and pour and pour out the oil. She had but a tiny portion of olive oil, but God used it and her faith to bring her provision!
“A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, ‘Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.’
“So Elisha said to her, ‘What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?’ And she said, ‘Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.’
“Then he said, ‘Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a few. And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones.’
“So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out. Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, ‘Bring me another vessel.’
“And he said to her, ‘There is not another vessel.’ So the oil ceased. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, ‘Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.’”
—2 Kings 4:1-7
Olive trees produce more than food, they are a sign of God’s love and provision, peace and covenant. If this was all that God displayed in His Word of what olive trees and their products meant, that surely would be enough to make olive trees stand out to us, but there is more…
We read in God’s Word that olive oil is also used to light lamps—from holy to mundane—and therefore serves as a reminder of the light God provides not only to bless us, but to act as a beacon of hope and love to others.
Dozens of stories in the Word speak of oil being used to light lamps, but one of the best known of these is the parable Jesus gave of the wise and foolish virgins. The five wise virgins brought enough oil and trimmed their wicks before they set out. They were prepared for their encounter with the bridegroom. The five foolish virgins, however, brought almost no oil with them and had not prepared their wicks.
The foolish virgins had no excuse. They did not lack the time necessary to trim their wicks; for even if they had not prepared them before leaving the house, much time was spent waiting for the bridegroom and they could have trimmed them while waiting. Further, they had enough resources to purchase the olive oil, as can be seen near the end of the parable… they simply had not thought the bridegroom would come so late. They thought they did not need to be ready to be a light in the darkness, but the wise virgins knew better. They knew their bridegroom and that his time is his own. They knew better than to accept one possible time and because of their readiness, with wicks trimmed and oil overflowing, the bridegroom brought them inside. He accepted and knew them. And they were able to be as lights in the darkness (see Matthew 25).
Jesus’ parable of the virgins speaks of the light God places within each of us. But olive oil in the Word also serves as a literal, rather than spiritual, light. For example, the great menorah of the Temple was filled with the finest consecrated olive oil.
Why Planting Olive Trees is an Act of Love:
There is a saying in Jewish tradition that likely goes back to biblical times. Basically it says, “You plant a vineyard for your children and an olive grove for your children’s children.” Through these two plantings of a vineyard and an olive grove, an inheritance is passed on—inheritance being a repeated theme in God’s Word.
To the children goes a vineyard, because the vines not only take less time to produce a full harvest, but because their ultimate lifespan is limited. Yet, to the grandchildren, an olive grove, because olive trees take longer to reach their prime harvest, and their lifespans can reach into thousands of years.
This kind of inheritance fits deeply into God’s Word and ways, because it reminds those to come who they are… as well as that they are loved. Because while olive trees speak largely of biblical inheritance, they also speak of love.
Love to provide a long-term inheritance. Love to provide light and food. Love to provide promise, holiness, sanctification, and even promotion…
An olive tree is more than a tree. It is even more than a tree that produces fruit. Over and over again it gives, lasting beyond even earthly grandchildren.
At My Olive Tree we are blessed to be a part of this biblical gift. To be able to not only bring to life biblical prophecy, but to bring hope and love to God’s people. To bring God’s provision and promises to all who share in the bounty of the olive trees… even to all those who see the trees and recognize the message God is sending.
It is an inheritance. One which may last beyond the return of Yeshua our Messiah—Jesus our Christ—and into His thousand year reign in Jerusalem.
While an olive tree is often just a sapling when planted, God can use it to change hearts. He can bless those who give AND those who receive. He can bring His Word to life in and through us! On behalf of all those who have been touched by God’s love poured out through your gift of an olive tree, we at My Olive Tree, would like to say, ‘toda raba!’ Thank you so very much!
If YOU would like to sponsor an olive tree, then click HERE!
If YOU would like to discover more about the biblical and prophetic importance of planting in Israel, then click HERE!
If YOU would like to sponsor a grape vine, then click HERE!
If YOU would like to learn about the importance of olive oil grown and produced in Israel, then click HERE!
