TREES #4 - Olives
We continue to learn more about trees in this series. This is Part#4 on God's glorious trees - "Olives". Today we are focusing on the olive tree which really is a sacred tree with immense uses both practical and spiritual.
Olive trees live between 300 to 500 years! However, in the Mediterranean climate a healthy olive tree can live over 1,000 years!! I am reminded of a verse in Isaiah talking about how long we will live during "1,000 years of peace":
"Unlike the past, invaders will not take their houses and confiscate their vineyards. For my people will live as long as trees, and my chosen ones will have time to enjoy their hard-won gains."
Isaiah 65:22
Isaiah 65:22
Almost every part of the olive tree is beneficial:
- fruit (olives) as a healthy food
- oil (olive oil is a good "fat"- very healthy for almost every ailment, unlike other vegetable oils that are detrimental to your health)
- the wood is used for furniture and other fine building (the grain and color are beautiful)
- the leaf is made into a supplement that is said to boost immune system
- even the pits are used as fuel
- also, the oil is not just food, it is used in a spiritual capacity as anointing oil (see Scripture passage below)
We see that the olive branch was the first sign of new life after the flood (when Noah sent out a dove):
The "Mount of Olives" is very significant when it comes to Jesus (Please read Zechariah 14:3-11). And specifically this verse below:
"And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives,
Zechariah 14:4
Which faces Jerusalem on the east.
And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two,"Zechariah 14:4
Let's not forget about the Garden of Gethsemane (which happened to be on the Mount of Olives). The word "Gethsemane" supposedly means "oil press" which implies that this garden was actually an olive grove. If you recall, this garden is where Jesus prayed asking if He could be spared from what was to come. Gethsemane was also where he was betrayed and arrested (read Matthew 26:36-56)
Let's strive to be like a green olive tree trusting in God forever & ever!
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I enjoyed all the references you gave to olive trees in the Bible. When we were in Israel we visited the Garden of Gethsemane which has olive trees--one in particular was very old.
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