The Olive Tree

 Symbols:

The Olive Tree is a symbol of Israel. Olive trees appear in the emblems of both the State of Israel, as well as the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

The olive tree is also a symbol of peace, hope, and many other qualities that are important to Israel and the Jewish people.

Striking:

In Bible times, olives were harvested by beating the branches of the tree with sticks to make the olives fall, and then collected in a basket, and would be pressed to extract the oil.

The oil produced from the olives was used for cooking, lighting, medicinal purposes, and moisturizing skin.

It was also use as an important part of the worship of God and was a symbol of immense blessing in Scripture.

The Bible mentions the olive harvest in Isaiah 17:6 and Deuteronomy 24:20.

The Hebrew term Noqeph Zayit appears in Isaiah 17:6, which means “a beater of olives”.

Noqeph means to strike, to go around and around; shaking and striking. Zayit means Olives.

To harvest the fruit, the tree needed to be struck, traumatized, experience trouble, pain, and difficulty again and again, as it was shaken and beaten. You could not eat the olive off the tree as it was bitter to the taste. The olives needed to be pressed and processed to produce oil for cooking, light, medicine, and general healing.

Suffering:

A powerful metaphor for Israel as well as the Church. Israel has experienced trauma for millennia. And, Jesus implied that if you want to follow him, it will cost you (Luke 14:25 – 35). Paul said believers will suffer for Christ (Philippians 1:29; 3:10; 2 Timothy 3:12).

Spirituality:

Olive trees are evergreen. They keep their leaves year-round.  This is symbolic of God’s everlasting covering. God protects, provides, as He watches over His people (Psalm 91).

However, when we experience trouble or pain being struck by life’s challenges, He watches over us, and produces fruit in us.

Israel’s fruit bore the revelation of Messiah to the world, and eventually will experience a complete national restoration and revival coming to faith in Messiah Yeshua.

For the follower of Jesus, olive oil is also a symbol of the Ruach HaKodesh – the Holy Spirit. Believers have God the Holy Spirit within them, who convicts, comforts, guides, reveals Jesus, and produces fruit (John 16:5 – 15; Galatians 5:22, 23).

Though we may suffer for a little while, God will restore, support, strengthen placing you on a firm foundation under His covering (1 Peter 5:10).  The olive tree reminds us of these things.

Shalom and Blessings,

Dr. Jeff