Shema “Tree of Life” Living Series, #5
An Olive Tree of Life
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in and confidently rely on the loving-kindness and the mercy of God forever and ever. (Psalm 52:8)
Dependability. The virtue is so appreciated. Fully believing in that spouse, friend, fellow believer—one who will be there when needed is a powerful quality to impart and receive. Our Lord Jesus Christ, is the ultimate example of One who can be trusted, believed in, and relied upon. The promises are rich and deep of His Person. Here are a couple that testify to God’s and Jesus’ revelation teaching and gracious invitation. (From the Amplified Bible, bold emphasis is mine)
Isa_43:10 You are My witnesses, says the Lord, and My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know Me, believe Me and remain steadfast to Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me.
Joh_4:21 Jesus said to her, Woman, believe Me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither [merely] in this mountain nor [merely] in Jerusalem.
This post’s tree of life is known for being dependable and worthy of our trust that it will be productive, resilient, and enduring. The olive tree is one of the most long-lasting trees in existence. The oldest olive tree is said to be in Greece and is 2,000 years old. Additionally, the existence of its dormant buds allows it to even revive after going through a fire. It is like the olive tree is crying out, “You can believe in me. I will be there! I will remain!” Oh, that you and I, in Christ, will be an olive tree of life!
Psalm 52 details David’s believed written response to Doeg who reports to King Saul of the help David received from the priests (1 Samuel 21-22). Saul’s jealous and deranged response leads to the killing of those priests in the tabernacle. The psalm’s earlier verses address the condemnation David gives towards Doeg and his eternal end (v. 5). Yet, in contrast, David will remain focused on the LORD and reflect the life and quality of the olive tree.
What are the qualities David brings forth in Psalm 52 that underscores these dependable-believable qualities of an olive tree one can bring forward in their lives as a tree of life?
1. Be “green” or flourishing. The color does not portray as much as to the fruit of the tree but to the fact that the olive tree is an evergreen. As mentioned earlier the tree is known for both its longevity and resiliency. In addition the olive tree, even in its old age, can sprout new shoots from its root system and thus propagate itself for a new generation of living and producing. Finally, this flourishing quality is not because it is well manicured or “babied” as a well-watched house plant, but it exists and can thrive while exposed to difficult climates that are arid and dry as well as, like the cedar tree, grow on the sides of hills and cliffs. These additional olive tree qualities—reproducing and persevering—are underscored as vital spiritual life virtues.
2. Flourish in God’s presence. As similar to what is recorded about David’s desire to be like palm and cedar trees, the physical and spiritual location of being a tree of life is in the “house of God.” (Psalm 92:13). David declares that the possibility of him reflecting the olive tree’s “You-can-believe-and-depend-on-me.” quality—productive flourishing and resilient endurance—occurs as he depends on being with and enjoying the presence of God. Being in the presence of God is both personal and corporate. Olive trees grow in groves…they grow among other olive trees! So, not only is there a one-on-one choice of believing in God but there exists a collective community of interdependence upon the LORD. Thus, the wonderful blend of singular reliance upon God is organically blended and enriched through a corporate believing life as a “grove” of Christ-followers who worship, pray, and exalt in the LORD.
3. Remain steadfast in God’s great mercy. Unlike the dates from the date palm tree that was more a daily staple in Middle East diet, the olive was more of a delicacy. Olives and olive oil could be much more expensive. Yet, the olive oil could be prominent in cooking. Additionally, the properties of the oil was seen to be medicinal (Mark 6:13). Finally, the oil, would be employed in the grain offering sacrifices (Leviticus 7:10) as well as in the anointing of kings and priests to their special role and service (1 Kings 1:39; Psalm 133:2). In these varied applications of the olive’s oil—for daily tasks, healing moments, and sacred occasions—the illustration of God’s eternal mercy is on full display. The picture of God’s devotion and compassion to His people is readily available and accessible for physical health—nourishment and wellness—as well as denoting spiritual consecration to the Lord’s plan and mission. Whether the oil is more precisely measured for cooking or lavishly poured in anointing, God’s loving-kindness expressed though us as His olive tree of life becomes the game-changer to and for others!
In closing, on the eve of this Easter-Resurrection week, these olive tree dynamics and tree of life applications come to their full expression in the life of the Lord Jesus. Jesus often went to and spent time in a grove of olive trees, the Mount of Olives (Luke 21:37; 22:39). It was among olive trees Jesus, living a homeless life, experienced healing rest (John 8:1) as well as providing the medicinal ointment of trusted prophecy of His second advent and future return (Mark 13:3). Moreover, it would be the place, as the King of Kings, He would be “anointed”, i.e., set apart by the moment of betrayal to His called purpose and mission of death, burial, and resurrection. Without question, Jesus, among the backdrop of a grove of olive trees, demonstrated the olive tree of life—flourishing, in God’s “house”, abounding in grand mercy to the glory of His Father.
Our Father, we plead for Your help and provision to be Your olive tree of life. Be our Provider to live not only endure with long life and but also flourish well, propagating a new and younger generation through devoted biblical teaching, quality spiritual nourishment, and died-to-self consecration to Yourself and purpose. We appreciate Your joy to answer that binds us together in our own “Mount of Olives” with dependence on You and interdependence with one another. In Jesus’ name, amen.
