"The Lord called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit" (Jer. 11:16).  

     God has chosen to call His people "a green olive tree" because the nature and the use for this tree is not only typical of His people, but more importantly, typical of the Lord, yet without their sin (Hos. 14:6).

     Olive trees are very beautiful trees, but their trunks are twisted and gnarled.  All bear the mark of suffering; they display the agony of the Lord.  Some are split to the heart of the tree, broken from the root upward as with an ax.  It is a wonder how they live, but all are full of life.  Some live for centuries and still bear fruit.  Their leaves are grayish green and never fall off suggesting great strength.  

     The olive tree produces excellent oil from almost sterile, rocky soil.  The oil was released in olden times by bruising, pressing, and treading on the olives (Mic. 6:15).  The oil was used as food (as we use butter) and for anointing.  It was also used in lamps - some in the temple as well as houses - to lighten the world.

     Olive wood is fine grained, solid, and yellowish in color.  It was so beautiful that it was used to make the cherubim, doors, and posts for the house of God.

     The old olive sends out young suckers which spring up around the parent tree, which in after ages when the parent's strength fails, shelters it on every side from the blast of the storms.  

     Old roots were used for firewood.  Even these old roots though would grow again if they were buried in the ground.  They are so full of the oil of life that they burn with a clearer and brighter flame than any other tree.  Even in perishing they do their best to enlighten those that have cast them into the fire.  They glorify God even in the fire (Isa. 24:15).

     The olive branch has always been a sign of peace since Noah's day (Gen. 8:11).  It is an emblem of the godly in spirit constantly dwelling in the house of God (Psa. 52:8).  Their children will be like olive plants round about the table (Psa. 128:3).  They will be a blessing to their parents as well as to the world.

     May we live and die as the old olive tree.  May we lighten our world as we "burn out."  May our roots produce godly children that will not only be a blessing to us, but to the whole world, glorifying God.  Make it so, Lord.  Make it so!