Olive Tree Represents Israel
Since the earliest practices of the temple the olive branch and tree have been incorporated into the temple s interior and exterior and came to represent israel herself.
Olive tree represents israel. It is mentioned frequently in the bible in the context of blessings fruitfulness and health. The olive tree is a commonwealth with allegiance to the king of the jews. Furthermore in a discussion of romans 11 judges nine is often suggested as the scriptural evidence that the olive tree of romans 11 represents israel. It is similar to the british commonwealth in which the people of canada and australia are not actually citizens of england but owe allegiance to the queen and have a special relationship with the.
The olive tree is very prominent in israel and in the writings of sacred scripture. We read in judges nine of the olive tree the fig tree the vine and the bramble. The dove that returned to the ark brought for an olive leaf signaling the earth had come back to life again. The olive is one of the seven species with which the land was blessed.
The olive tree which has been an important component of jewish and israeli culture throughout history has become a symbol of many values in jewish life. He planted them as a beautiful olive tree but warned he would cut them down if they disobeyed his laws and worshiped false gods. Some believe that these trees represent israel. God s people the nation of israel are depicted as an olive tree and god as the farmer.
When israel conquered canaan under the leading of joshua the olive tree was a prominent feature among the flora of the land. God uses the imagery of an olive tree in jeremiah 11 16 17 to remind his people of the covenant relationship he has with them.