About 15 years ago I read a book called "The Allegory of the Olive Tree," produced by the "Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS)" It was probably one of the most comprehensive books I've read on the subject of the Olive Tree, Olives and the oil they produce.
When you stop and think about it, the olive tree and the sacred oil it produces, plays a very important part in our spiritual development. The olive oil is used to heal the sick and to anoint worthy members in the temple to become divine royalty, based upon their endurance to the end. In early Christian tradition, olive oil is symbolic of the Holy Ghost.
The Holy Ghost is the sealer of eternal ordinances. It is the testator and bearer of truth and righteousness. It is a conduit or avenue in communicating spiritual messages. As we endure to the end and prove ourselves worthy, the Holy Spirit of Promise (The Holy Ghost) is what seals us up to Eternal Life. It is His stamp of approval that the Father and Son recognizes as the final approval of exaltation.
So why olive oil and it's source, the olive tree? Let me share some things I have learned about this tree, and as I share these insights, look at them from a "deep" symbolic nature.
The tree of life in Lehi's dream is said to be an olive tree, as well as the tree of life in the Garden of Eden, that Adam and Eve were forbidden to partake of after they partook of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. So the fruit of these trees are the olive. In the case of Lehi's dream, we are told that Lehi and some of his family "pressed their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fuit of the tree." Nephi, desiring to know the meaning of the dream his father saw, was visited by the Spirit of the Lord and was carried away to an exceedingly high mountain (Symbolically the temple, a place where God can reveal his higher ordinances and blessings). When Nephi asked about the meaning of the tree, he was told that the tree was a representation of the Love of God, and that it's "fruit is most precious and most desirable above all other fruits: yea, and it is the greatest of all the gifts of God."
So what is the greatest of all the gifts of God? It is Eternal Life and Exaltation in His kingdom. So as we partake of the fruit, we are partaking or receiving the stamp of the Holy Spirit of Promise that we have the promise of Eternal Life. That's why, when Adam and Eve, in the Garden of Eden had transgressed, that God protected them from partaking of the fruit of the Tree of Life, because had they done so, they would have "eternally" remained in their sinful state eternally, having not had the blessing of the Atonement yet in their life, and God's plan would have failed, and He would have failed as a God. So God wisely would not allow that to happen.
There is further "deep" symbolism of the Olive tree, the olive and it's oil. During early jewish times, olive oil has been used for nourishment, light and physical comfort. It should then be considered that olive oil, down through the centuries, has come to be a symbol of life and of the spirit which gives life. Also, the fact that olive trees are known to live for centuries rather than for decades, is a fit symbol for eternal life.
When Nephi asked the angel the meaning or symbolism of the tree of life that his father saw, the angel then proceeded to show Nephi the birth, atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Therefore the tree also is a representation of the Love of God (Christ) and His unconditional love for each of us. To further tie in the symbolism of Christ and the tree of life, the term Messiah, in Hebrew form is defined as "The Annointed One."
To produce olive oil in ancient times, the olives had to be crushed in a press. It took immense pressure to squeeze out the little bit of oil from the olive. In like manner, Jesus was considered the olive, who was beaten, brused and suffered greatly in the Garden of Gethsemane, until, like the olive in an olive press, had so much pressure upon him, carrying the weight of everyone's sins, that he finally bled from every pore, symbolically producing the oil (Holy Ghost) that will give us the promise and sealing of Eternal Life. Speaking of Gethsemane, the hebrew definition of the name means "olive press."
There are SO many other symbolic parallels, that there is not time to share. Maybe we can have a further discussion on this face to face. I will give you a couple of other things to ponder concerning olive oil. It was used as a oil in lamps, to light the way. It was olive oil that the 5 unwise virgins ran out of and hence missed the arrival of the Bridegroom. The House of Israel, who we are a part of (think of your temple covenants), are grafted into the olive tree in the Lord's vineyard, as outlined in Jacob 5. So we become part of the Tree of Life, as our grafted branches take hold and start to produce our own fruit. ("By their fruits, shall you know them.")
There is a lot here to deeply think about and ponder. Isn't it wonderful how the Gospel fits together so perfectly through symbolism. The temple, and it's ordinances are full of symbolisms, layers and layers of symbolism.
"... I wonder if the cross was made out of olive wood?"
Love you all, Dad
This post is very interesting to me on a couple of different levels. First of all I don't believe in coincidences, and this week I have tried to post a comment 3 different time about my personal scripture reading about Jacob 5 (the vineyard and the olive tree). All of the times my comments wouldn't post.
ReplyDeleteI just had some thoughts that have really consumed my mind after reading about the master and the vineyard.
It talks about the wild branches being grafted into the natural tree and it was nourished and the wild branches brought forth good fruit. I thought about my kids that our family has adopted. They are those branches. I felt a strong spirit telling me that the Lord, the master of the vineyard, loves us all so much. He took from one family and grafted into another and the fruit was good and by doing so the wild tree ( their birth family) will also be able to bring forth good fruit. In Jacob 5:22 -23 it reads; and the Lord of the vineyards said unto him: I knew that it was a poor spot of ground; wherefore, I said unto thee, I have nourished it this long time, and thou beholdest that it hath brought forth much fruit. And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said unto his servant: Look hither; behold I have planted another branch of the tree also; and thou knowest that this spot of ground was poorer then the first. But, behold the tree. I have nourished it this long time, and it hath brought forth much fruit; therefore, gather it, and lay it up against the season, that I may preserve it into mine own self.
So from this the symbolism that I saw for my family was that our adopted children, with the gospel in there lives, will be able to bring forth much fruit. But not only that, their past ancestors and future generations will also be blessed because of the "Master of the vineyard" grafting in the wild branches to the natural tree.
This was a very emotional and stirring chapter for me. I love these verses of scripture because the layer of depth is so great and can be likened to so many things. This was a new layer for me.
Sarah
Sarah, isn't it interesting how scriptures and symbols can take on new and different meanings that are applicable to you specifically. Your view is right on with your family. Makes Jacob 5 take on a whole new life. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete