Rabbi Charlie Cohen
What is “Olive Tree Faith”? I use that term to reference the faith of certain people in the Bible who are pictured as fruitful olive trees who stand in the presence of God. Olive Tree International, is an organization whose stated ministry objectives include encouraging others to recognize the Jewish people for their “elder brother” relationship to Christians. This is not popular. Many Christians think of the Jews as just another opportunity for missions, lumping them in with non-believers. They do not understand how the Jewish people in general, and Judaism in particular, can inform their own faith, or regard the Jewish people as co-participants in God’s redemptive plan for the world.
Secondly, Olive Tree International promotes the belief that God’s promises to the Jewish people will be completely fulfilled. This includes an understanding from the Bible that in the latter days God will restore their nation and spiritual standing in the world. This too is not popular. Especially since the October 7th war began. Further, they understand the importance of God’s promise of blessing to those who bless Israel (Genesis 12:3). Finally, they understand correctly the meaning of the grafted-in analogy presented by Apostle Paul in the Book of Romans. Think of the olive tree in Paul’s analogy as the overall plan of salvation for the world. He explains that the Jewish people are the “natural olive tree”, and all others are “grafted in”. The rich root is theirs, but it is shared with all of the branches. As a symbol of Olive Tree International’s ministry, the olive tree is most appropriate. It represents well their “olive tree” faith.
Now, let us consider the symbol of the olive tree in the Bible. Twice in Scripture the Bible refers to two mysterious yet very important olive trees. First, in the book of the prophet Zecharia:
“I’ve been looking at a menorah; it’s all of gold, with a bowl at its top, seven lamps on it, and seven tubes leading to the lamps at its top. Next to it are two olive trees, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left. I then asked the angel speaking with me, ‘What are these, my Lord?’ The angel speaking with me said, ‘Don’t you know what these are?’” (Zechariah 4:2-5, CJB).
Here the Olive Trees in his vision represented faithful men whose obedience to God resulted in blessings that are likened to the Divine light that emanates from the Holy Menorah. They stand there like trees that are anchored in the presence of God. Zechariah came to understand this, that the trees were symbolic of the faith of Joshua and Zerubavel.
The second example in Scripture is in the Book of Revelation:
“I will give power to my two witnesses; and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, dressed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two menorahs (lampstands) standing before the Lord of the earth.” (Revelation 11:3-4, CJB)
Two menorah’s are featured in Zechariah’s vision as well. In both cases they are related to the olive trees. The olive trees in Zechariah’s vision actually point forward to the reference in Revelation. The olive trees produce the pure oil that lights the menorah! The menorah represents the “light” of God’s testimony, the truth of his Word. The fruit of the olive yields the oil that burns to produce that light- clearly these symbols speak to a partnership with God and his people of faith to bring his truth into the world.
The context of these two references is vastly different, but the usage of the symbol of the olive tree is the same. In both cases, the “olive trees” stand before the Lord of all the earth, and their oil produces the light of their testimony. You have heard the saying, to “stand and deliver”. You do not sit and deliver, or lie down and deliver. This is why we say you “take a stand” on an issue you believe in. You must stand up to take action, and remain steadfast in your faith.
Other trees known to Isreal stood even taller- why not use them as a symbol for standing with God? The cedar tree is native to northern Israel and Lebanon. It grows to a great height. It is majestic in appearance; its fragrant wood was used in the building of the Holy temple. Why not use the cedar tree to symbolize steadfastness with God’s holy principles? Wouldn’t you want to be a “cedar tree” for God?
The palm tree in Israel also grows to an impressive size. It thrives where other trees wither and die in the fierce heat of the Israeli wilderness. Its fruit, the date, is sweet and nourishing. Syrup produced from dates is said to be the actual honey of “the land of milk and honey” promised to Israel. It stands tall and proud. That would be a good symbol, would it not?
The mighty oak, whose majestic spread provides abundant shade, is often mentioned in the Bible. It is closely associated with the patriarch Abraham. It could easily be the chosen symbol of the steadfastness of faith.
The pomegranate, also native to Israel, produces a unique, sweet fruit that became the symbol of the priesthood and of royalty. When you turn it over, it has a “crown” on its “head”. The carob tree one finds all over Israel sustained the prophet John with its chocolaty pods. I could go on and on about these trees that could be used to symbolize the fruitfulness and steadfastness of faith.
The olive tree in contrast to these is not impressive for height or size. It does not tower like the cedar, or spread like the oak, or give fruit you can pick and eat. But it does have a few wonderful qualities:
- It endures, no matter what. It laughs at heat, drought, and famine. It seems to live forever, some reaching the age of thousands of years. It witnesses history.
- Even in old age, it continues to bear fruit, never becoming “useless”.
- There is one thing it does that no other tree in Israel can do, it provides pure oil from which burns the eternal light of the menorah!
And the light that shines forth from the menorah, is the symbol of Divine Truth. God’s word is truth. Without it we walk in darkness. But who are the two olive trees in Zechariah and Revelation in particular? At first, this is a bit of a mystery. Even Zechariah had to ask the angel speaking with him “What are those two olive trees on the right and left sides of the menorah?” (Zech 4:11). He did not immediately connect them with the two men spoken of in his vision, Joshua the son of Jehozadak, and Zerubavel the son of She’altiel.
These two men served God in the time of Israel’s return from exile to Babylon. Joshua was God’s choice for High Priest, and Zerubavel was to lead the rebuilding of the destroyed temple. The prophet Haggai records Zerubavel’s calling: “‘I will take you, Z’rubavel, my servant, the son of Sh’alti’el,’ says Adonai, ‘and wear you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you,’ says Adonai-Tzva’ot.” (Haggai 2:23)
Though he was descended from King David, and as Matthew records the Messianic line passed through him, his legacy is not that he became a great king, but that God said he was one of the two olive trees standing before him bringing light to the world. He was commissioned with the words “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord”. I guess Zerubavel was the first Pentecostal! Without him there might not have been a second Holy Temple in Jerusalem!
Joshua too was chosen for his task, but Satan was there to accuse him. God rebuked Satan, saying “Isn’t this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?” (Zechariah 3:2). Many of us are “burning sticks” when God pulls us out of the fire for his purposes. He is pictured as standing before God in filthy clothes, but God simply said “See, I am taking your guilt away. I will clothe you in fine robes.” We must never forget that God does not look at the outward person, but at our inner person and character, and that HE and no one else takes away our guilt, making us fit to serve him. Joshua too must have done well, because he is pictured as the other olive tree standing in God’s presence!
The “Faithful Witnesses” in Revelation 11 do not rebuild the nation, or serve in the Holy Temple as did Zerubavel and Joshua, rather they testify for God against the evil dominion that rises up at the end of the age. But they too are called the “two olive trees, and two menorahs” (11:4), directly referencing Joshua and Zerubavel in the book of Zechariah. One is like Moses, who stood up against political opposition to God in the form of the Pharaoh, the other is like Elijah, who stood against spiritual corruption in the Israelite priesthood and the school of the prophets. I believe there is a place of honor for those who fully trust in God’s promises, including those to Israel, and work to see them fulfilled. Remember these things about these outstanding “olive trees” in Scripture:
- Moses believed God and trusted his purposes when he appeared before Pharaoh.
- Elijah trusted in God’s word and dared to challenge the corrupt Israelite kingdom. He did not shrink from declaring God’s judgment against idolatry.
- Joshua the priest did not accept Satan’s accusations against him but led worship and sacrifice in the restored Temple.
- Zerubavel was not mighty or powerful, but he heeded God’s message and trusted in the power of God’s Spirit to make the way for the restoration of Israel. Zerubavel’s efforts bore fruit for 500 years!
Finally, as I conclude, think on this. There are many ways to walk out our faith in God, but not many as important as standing with God, trusting in the truthfulness of his word, and the faithfulness of his promises. It is not enough to believe in God. As the Apostle James said, even the demons believe and tremble (James 2:19). Just believing is not olive tree faith. For olive tree faith, you must stand with God. If you do, you put yourself in the position to bear much fruit! And, in the case of the steadfast olive, it’s fruit is like the “fruit of the Spirit”, kindling the Menorah, shedding God’s light upon all who walk in it. Amen.