Have you ever wondered about your physical or spiritual ancestors, heritage, and roots? As a nation, we’ve become obsessed with finding our “ancestral DNA.” But what do we do after we uncover it? It’s always such a personal journey.
Before we start getting to work digging into the soil of your family tree, let’s look at…
- What is the family tree in the Bible?
- Why is your family tree important?
- What is the purpose of exploring your family tree?
- What will you choose to do with the knowledge you gain?
• What is the family tree in the Bible?
Trees hold significant symbolism in the Bible. They are used to describe the relationship between God and humanity, and human relationships with one another.
To discover more about the symbolism of trees in the Bible, go [HERE]!
But when it comes to a family tree, it’s about…
- Proof. A family tree is an instrument to validate who someone is.
- Heritage. A family tree is a road map to find someone’s heritage.
- Legacy. A family tree is a gift that allows you to leave a mark in this world and to pass it down to the next generation.
Genealogy is sprinkled throughout scripture, not for us to skim over because the names are too difficult to pronounce, but as a road map to Jesus Christ and a breadcrumb trail back to Him from where we stand today.
We might find the genealogy of Jesus that starts off the book of Matthew as a series of verses we merely sail past on our way to the story of His birth. We’re tempted to think they don’t mean much to us today.
The list contains some ‘not-so-famous’ names such as Ram and Amminadab. But they lead you down the line to Boaz, the kinsman redeemer, who is the grandfather of Jesse—prophesied to be in the lineage of Jesus.
“There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse,
and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.”—Isaiah 11:1-2
The long line of names in the first chapter of Matthew provides proof of who Jesus was, proof that prophecy was being fulfilled, and a way for those who came after to find their spiritual heritage.
“So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations.”—Matthew 1:17
(Source: https://www.bible-history.com)
• Why is your family tree important?
As mentioned earlier, your family tree is important because it reveals who you are and the heritage you have. Those ‘not-so-famous’ names listed on God’s tree led to the Savior of the World. Those preceding you in your tree lead to you—and who knows what lives you have left to touch!
There are times many of us struggle with what lies in our family’s past. But, here comes the good news…
When you’ve been grafted into the family of God, you are grafted into His family tree! Your name is written down as a coheir with Christ! In the book of Heaven, you are legally adopted and have the full inheritance that is promised to Jesus!
- “And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree…”—Romans 11:17
- “…and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ…”—Romans 8:17
Your spiritual family tree, if you follow the breadcrumb trail, takes you back to the lineage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel). And God considers you His child through that Spirit of adoption, making you a joint heir with Christ!
• What is the purpose of exploring your family tree?
Many of us explore to find out more—we want to know more, do more, and find more purpose in our lives. We want to look back to see where our family has been and make changes for those who come after us.
Some want to cut off branches in their family tree that have caused damage to its beauty and fruitfulness. But what do you do after separating the branch?
You graft in a new, healthy, fruit-producing branch—one that thrives in seasons of plenty and in times of barrenness—such as an olive tree!
Others embrace what their family sacrificed to be able to leave an incredible legacy that they now can share with others. Every family has a unique story, and the family tree frames the overarching tale by illuminating the members that took part in its growth.
• What will you choose to do with the knowledge that you gain?
After all the branches and roots from your family tree are unearthed, you are left with a choice. What should you do with the information you have? Will you pass it down by adding more branches to the story?
Everyone has a different reason for discovering and mapping out their family tree—but the beauty of being grafted into God’s family tree is beyond comprehension at times.
Upon being grafted in, you were given a heart transplant. What does that mean? It means God put a new heart and new spirit in you—supplying you with the wisdom to walk in His ways. The heart transplant gave you a new bloodline!
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”—Ezekiel 36:26-27
Now that you have been grafted into the family line of God’s tree, you can become a fruitful branch drawing from His roots. Your family tree has now become a branch on God’s tree—with a new heritage and a new legacy. God has equipped you with a new heart and a new Spirit to know His will.
Prophecy and God’s Will:
One way to know God’s will is to look through the Bible for what has been prophesied, and see how it unfolds before our eyes today.
God promised the Israelites would return to their homeland.
- “…when they dwelt safely in their own land and no one made them When I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands…”—Ezekiel 39:26-27
God promised a restoration of the land.
- “I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; they shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; they shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them.”—Amos 9:14
This environmental prophecy we read about in Amos is happening now. Israel’s land is being replenished, growing, and thriving through efforts such as My Olive Tree’s olive tree and grapevine sponsorship.
Those who want to take an active role in their spiritual family tree now have a way to put real roots into the Promised Land soil. What a beautiful way to honor your spiritual ancestors! And what a magnificent picture of showing the world God’s grace, mercy, and restorative power.
Many sponsor olive trees because they understand the rich heritage they have through Jesus. But they also know this is a legacy that can be passed down to the next generation, as well as blessing Israel.
Because the olive tree lives for 500 years, on average, it produces thousands of crops that are sown back into Israel’s biblical restoration plan. The trees also allow you and your family to share the legacy for generations.
Now that you know what a blessing God’s family tree is to the world, where do you want your roots to take you?
To discover more about God’s restoration plan through the olive tree, go [HERE]. Start your journey today!