The olive tree as a symbol of Israel. In the prohet Jeremiah, Israel is called an olive tree:
“The Lord named you: ‘A green olive tree, beautiful in fruit and form.’”
– Jeremiah 11:16
From the roots of the old tree, young shoots spring up. They stand in a circle around the old trunk. This image also describes the restoration of Israel:
“His shoots will sprout, His majesty will be like the olive tree.”
– Hosea 14:6 (NESB)
The apostle Paul uses the image of the olive tree in Romans 11:16-24. What does he want to show by this?
1. All Israel is holy, not just a part of it:
“If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are as well.”
(verse 16)
2. Believers from the non-Jewish nations (Romans, Greeks, Germans — and therefore most of us as well) may, through Christ, share in the blessing and richness of Israel:
“and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree.”
(verse 17)
3. Therefore, believers from the Gentiles should remain humble toward Israel:
“do not be arrogant toward the branches…remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you.”
(verse 18)
4. God is also able to graft back the branches He had broken off (verse 23), and He will do so as well (verse 24)
How deep do roots reach into the ground? What are they for? A gardener can tell you all about them. For if you cut through the roots of a tree, not much remains. The leaves wither because they no longer receive water and nutrients, and when a storm arises, the tree soon falls over. Roots are therefore very important.
Did you know that the olive tree is also a symbol of the leaders of Israel after the return from exile? In this case, Zerubbabel the prince and Joshua the high priest:
“Then I said to him, “What are these two olive trees on the right of the lampstand and on its left?” 12 And I responded the second time and said to him, “What are the two olive [f]branches which are beside the two golden pipes, which empty the golden oil from themselves?” 13 So he answered me, saying, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.” 14 Then he said, “These are the two [g]anointed ones, who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth.”
Zacharia 4:11-14