ISRAEL, (THE GARDEN OLIVE), IN THE PLAN OF GOD (Part I)
- by Lewis Hrytzak
Among sincere Christians, there are differing views regarding the nation of Israel. Some see the numerous prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures as applying to natural Israel, and they point to the establishment of the State of Israel, (in 1948), as tangible evidence of their belief. However, other believers do not share that opinion. They believe such prophecies are not directed to the State of Israel in Palestine. Personally, I share the latter view. Be that as it may, the Scriptures clearly show that Israel, whoever, or whatever that is, plays a critically important role in the plan of God.
It is my very firm conviction that if we are to gain a clear understanding of God’s purpose for Israel, then we must focus, not on Israel, but on God’s plan to redeem sinful and dying mankind. Why so? It is because Israel will serve as an important instrument within that plan of salvation. It is for this reason that we must focus on the solution that God presented in the Garden of Eden, when the original couple sinned by rebelling against him.
That solution was given by way of a prophecy, the very first prophecy recorded in Scripture. It is found at Genesis 3:15. Interestingly enough, it sets the stage for God’s plan of salvation. In a long-range prophecy, this is what God stated when passing judgment upon the serpent. “And I shall put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will bruise you in the head, and you will bruise him in the heel.”
From this account, it is evident that the serpent would produce a seed, or offspring. The “woman,” would also produce a seed. And while the woman’s seed would receive a heel wound, (inflicted by the serpent), her seed would ultimately crush the head of the serpent. For the purpose of this discussion, we will not focus on the identity of the woman. Rather, we will focus on the identity of the “seed” of the woman.
We have all heard of the faithfulness of Abraham, and how God had made a promise to him. That promise is recorded at Genesis 22:17,18 and it reads as follows: “I shall surely bless you, and I shall surely multiply your seed like the stars of the heavens, and like the grains of sand that are on the seashore, and your seed will take possession of the gate of his enemies.”
The second part of that promise is rather unique, and this is what is stated in verse 18: “And by means of your seed all nations of the earth will certainly bless themselves…”
The promise made to Abraham raises many questions. For instance, how, and when, will the seed of Abraham “take possession of the gate of his enemies?” And, what about “the nations of the earth?” How, or in what way, will they bless themselves by means of Abraham’s seed? What kind of blessing will they get, and when will that be?
In Scripture, we can trace the “seed of Abraham” through some prominent individuals, such as Isaac, Jacob, Judah, David, and finally, it leads us to Christ Jesus. Identifying the seed for us, Paul writes to the Galatians (in chapter 3:16) and states: “Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. It says, not, “and to seeds,” as in the case of many such, but as in the case of one, “And to your seed,” who is Christ.”
However, in the context of that discussion, Paul shows there are others who also comprise that “seed.” In that same chapter, verses 26 to 29, he describes them in this way. “You are all, in fact, sons of God through your faith in Christ Jesus, For all of you who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor freeman, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one (person) in union with Christ Jesus. Moreover, if you belong to Christ, you are really Abraham’s seed, heirs with reference to a promise.”
Paul clearly gives us two important clues as to the true identity of Israel. First, he tells us that “there is neither Jew nor Greek, for “all of you who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” This is much like what Paul had written to the Romans, (2:28, 29). He stated: “For he is not a Jew who is one on the outside, nor is circumcision that which is on the outside, upon the flesh…But he is a Jew who is one on the inside, and his circumcision is that of the heart by spirit, not a written code.” Secondly, “if you belong to Christ you are really Abraham’s seed.” What seed? It is the seed that is “heir with reference to a promise.” And what promise is Paul referring to? He obviously is referring to the promise God made to Abraham, i.e., “his seed will take possession of the gate of his enemy,” and “the nations of the earth will bless themselves by means of his seed.”
What is Paul actually telling us? Is he suggesting that the Israel to whom many privileges were given, and promises made, has now been replaced or supplanted by a “spiritual Israel?” NOT AT ALL! When Paul wrote to the Romans he covered this point in careful detail.
At this juncture, it would be well to keep in mind that the nation of Israel (in Bible times) was compared to an olive tree. Jeremiah said: “A luxuriant olive tree, pretty with fruit (and) in form, is what Jehovah has called your name…” (Jeremiah 11:16). (Also see Psalm 52:8; Hosea 14:6; and Zech. chapter 4). The prophet Zechariah speaks of “two olive trees” which are “two anointed ones.” I believe this has reference to Israel (God’s witness – Isaiah 43:10-12); and later the Christian Church, Christ’s witness (Acts 1:8), but indirectly, the witness of his Father also. Yet, this is the very same Israel. How so?
In Romans chapter 11, Paul speaks of two olive trees. One is a “garden olive tree,” (Israel), and the other is a “wild olive tree,” the gentiles. The garden “olive tree” is the one he refers to as having “a root of fatness,” and he adds, (speaking to the gentiles), “It is not you that bear the root, but the root bears you.” This is a very clear indication that the members of the Church are very much a part of that original “garden olive” for that “root of fatness” (or “stump” according to some translations) is what they are built upon, according to Paul.
He also explains that “branches were broken off” the garden olive, (i.e., members of natural Israel), and he gives the reason why that happened to them. He says: “for their lack of faith.” He also speaks of the “wild olive” and says that the branches of the wild olive (i.e., believing gentiles), were grafted into the “garden olive.” It is for this reason that the “root of fatness” sustains them, for they have become an integral part of it. Well then, how many branches were broken off? Many! Very many, indeed! So much so, that “the tree” was almost stripped bare. But because God’s promises to Israel cannot fail, God provided for other branches, “believing branches,” to be grafted in their place. This is in keeping with what God had foretold by the ancient prophets. For instance, many of such prophecies clearly indicate that only a remnant (of natural Israel) would be saved. (See Zech. 13:8; Isa.10:21,22; 11:11,12)
The original “olive tree,” the “garden olive” (that God planted many years ago) is always the same tree in that illustration. Therefore, it has the same “root of fatness” that God started out with. It is simply that only a remnant of the original “branches”are still on the tree. And please bear in mind that the garden olive tree is Israel. Jesus made reference to this when he was arrested and was being led away to be executed. A great multitude was following him and there was grief and wailing, so Jesus turned to them and said: “Daughters of Jerusalem, stop weeping for me. Weep for yourselves and for your children.” (Luke 23:27,28) Some time earlier, Jesus had said to the Jews: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the killer of the prophets and stoner of those sent forth to her – how often I wanted to gather your children together in the manner that a hen gathers her brood of chicks under her wings, but you people did not want it. Look! Your house is abandoned to you. I tell you, you will by no means see me until you say, “Blessed is he that comes in Jehovah’s name.” (Luke 13:34, 35). In verse 31, of chapter 23, Jesus makes this remarkable statement: “Because if they do these things when the tree is moist, what will occur when it is withered?”
The Jews were highly favored when Messiah appeared, for the “message of salvation,” and of God’s kingdom, (that will “restore all things”), were at hand. Moreover, Israel not only produced faithful prophets, but the Messiah himself. Therefore, Christ Jesus’ ministry was directed at the Jews, and he kept sending his disciples to “the lost sheep of the House of Israel.” It is as though “the tree was moist” for them, even though they behaved very badly. After Jesus’ death, however, and especially when the kingdom message went out to the gentiles, the tree had actually “withered” for them. That was why they were “lopped off” that tree. The historical record bears this out. And yet, as Paul writes to the Romans, God’s purpose for Israel had not failed. How so?
Well, God is still dealing with Israel, in the sense that “the tree” is still the same tree. It still is the same “garden olive” but with most of its original, (“unfaithful”) branches missing, replaced by believing ones. It must be that way, for as stated by Paul, God’s promises to Israel cannot fail. That is what Paul tells us at Romans 9:6,7,8. First, he laments over natural Israel’s rejection of Christ Jesus, and then he shows how such promises do not fail. Paul writes: “However, it is not as though the word of God had failed. For not all who spring from Israel are really “Israel.” Neither because they are Abraham’s seed are they all children, but what will be called your seed will be through Isaac. That is, the children in the flesh are not really the children of God, but the children by the promise are counted as the seed.”
The “garden olive” tree remains until this day, and it will continue to exist and flourish until it fulfills God’s purpose for it, namely, to be a “blessing for the nations of the earth.”
What has actually happened (as already stated) is that the “garden olive,” (the original Israel), has simply lost its unbelieving “branches,” but the tree itself remains. God provided for this tree to continue, and not fail him. He did this by grafting in believing “branches” from the gentiles. This is what Paul states at Romans 11:25-27: “For I do not want you, brothers, to be ignorant of this sacred secret, in order for you not to be discreet in your own eyes: that a dulling of sensibilities has happened in part to Israel (Israel according to the flesh) until the full number of the people of the nations has come in, and in this manner all Israel will be saved. (Some translations state: “and so all Israel will be saved.”) It should be quite clear to us that all Israel will be saved* (See footnote) because God chose to graft in faithful branches, taken from the gentiles. Therefore, the “the seed of promise” that was made to Abraham, is fulfilled in this way. To show what God had done, Paul quotes the words of the prophet Isaiah (59:20), and in that same verse he states: “Just as it is written: “The deliverer will come out of Zion and turn away ungodly practices of Jacob, (Israel). And this is the covenant on my part with them, when I take their sins away.” How were their sins taken away? Was it not because they accepted Christ, the Redeemer? Why, of course! Moreover by quoting this prophecy, Paul is showing its unmistakable fulfillment.
· “Saved” does not mean preserved alive. It simply means saved from sin. As an example of this, Jesus told the unrepentant Jews, “You will die in your sins.” Why? It is because they refused to accept him, making it impossible to have their sins forgiven.
Additionally, the words spoken by the prophet Jeremiah indicate a time of great change for Israel. Jeremiah said: ”Look! There are days coming,” is the utterance of Jehovah, “and I will conclude with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah a new covenant, not like the covenant that I concluded with their forefathers in the day of my taking hold of their hand to bring them forth out of the land of Egypt, which covenant of mine they themselves broke, although I myself had husbandly ownership of them,’ is the utterance of Jehovah.” “For this is the covenant that I shall conclude with the house of Israel after those days,” is the utterance of Jehovah. “I will put my law within them, and in their heart I shall write it. And I will become their God, and they themselves will become my people.”
Please bear in mind that these words were spoken prophetically to Israel in order to show them that God was about to do things that he had not done before. Until then, one could be a “branch of the garden olive” simply by birth into the nation of Israel. God changed that, however, even as Jeremiah foretold. With this new requirement, then, they could remain in the garden olive only on condition that they were willing to have God’s law written on their heart by exercising faith in Christ Jesus, thereby allowing God to “write his law on their hearts.” The key here is faith, like the faith Abraham displayed. This is why Paul said that the real Jew is the one who is so inside, because he/she has “the circumcision of the heart, by spirit, and not a written code…”
Please bear in mind that there is only one tree, Israel, the garden olive, which God planted centuries earlier, and to whom the promises were made. Moreover, in his letter to the Romans, Paul explains that the word of God has not failed toward Israel. How can that be, however, in view of Israel’s unfaithfulness? This is because the “root stock” or “stump” had a remnant of faithful branches. The olive tree was good, it just needed some hard pruning. Therefore, God broke off “unfaithful branches,” and in their place, grafted in faithful gentile believers. As Paul shows, these were branches taken from the wild olive and, contrary to nature, grafted into the garden olive.
In view of the above, the “olive tree’ continued to grow and bear fruit. That same tree continues to grow today, for it is the true Israel of God. Both Isaiah and the apostle Peter refer to this development as a “nation,” and a “new creation.” This original tree continues to be prepared by God to be “a blessing for the nations of the earth,” for it is the “seed of promise” with Christ Jesus as Head.
Now someone might say, but what about natural Israel, (as a nation), when our Lord returns? Will Christ Jesus not have some special service for them? Will they not enjoy something special, and be set apart from other nations? Such questions miss the very purpose of God’s plan of salvation for mankind.
Well, then, when Christ Jesus comes back to rule, what is to be with the “unfaithful branches” that were “lopped off?” The answer to this question is provided by Christ Jesus himself. Toward the end of his ministry, he told his faithful disciples: “Because you have stuck with me in my trials, you will sit on thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.” What did Jesus mean by such a statement? He obviously meant that natural Israel, that is, the unfaithful branches thereof, will be ruled by the “true Israel of God.” (See Revelation 2:26, 27) Why is that? Because they, like any other families of the earth, will need to bless themselves by means of the “seed of promise,” the true Israel from which they had been broken off.
Moreover, unless they are grafted back into the “garden olive” before Christ’s return in Kingdom power, they will continue to be excluded from being part of the “seed of promise.” They will be ruled along with the rest of the nations, meaning, they will need to bless themselves by means of the faithful “garden olive,” from which they had been “lopped off” as “unfaithful branches.”
It is most important to pay careful attention as to how the apostles applied prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures concerning Israel. The reason for this is that they spoke under the direction of God’s holy spirit. Therefore, the application they make (of such prophecies), actually comes from God.
Now then, not only do we have the example of Paul, who quoted the Hebrew Scriptures and applied such to Israel, (i.e, the church built upon the “root stock” or “stump”), but the apostle Peter did likewise. At Acts 15:16, Peter quoted the prophet Amos (9:11) and said: “After these things I shall return and rebuild the booth of David that is fallen down; and I shall rebuild its ruins and erect it again, (now note) in order that those who remain of the men (faithful branches) may earnestly seek Jehovah, together with people of all the nations, people who are called by my name, says Jehovah, who is doing these things, known from of old.’
If you read that account carefully, you will see that James, who makes reference to Peter’s application of that prophecy, is in full agreement. Surely then, this is the correct application of such prophecies. As Peter shows, this was so that “Those who remain” (remnant), “may earnestly seek Jehovah together with the people of the nations,” for it is in this way that “the booth of David that is fallen,” was being rebuilt.
Jeremiah (23:5) prophesies: ”I will raise to David a righteous sprout. And a king will certainly reign and act with discretion and execute justice and righteousness in the land.” This clearly applies to Christ Jesus and his co-rulers, (the true Israel), for they are the “the seed of promise” that will bless the families of the earth. The “land” that Jeremiah speaks of is something far greater than the land of Palestine. The dominion of Christ will encompass this whole earth. (See Daniel 2:44; Psalm 2:8; Revelation 2:26,27) Christ Jesus continued to build on what God, his Father, began many centuries earlier. And even though Jesus said to the Jews: “Look! Your house is abandoned to you,” Paul clearly shows, (as we have already considered), that God’s promises to Israel cannot fail. Of course, Paul then shows how God did this. As mentioned, he removed unfaithful branches and grafted faithful ones (from the gentiles) in their place.
Quoting Isaiah 65:1, when he wrote to the Romans (10:20), Paul also states: “But Isaiah becomes very bold and says: ‘I was found by those who were not seeking me, I became manifest to those who were not asking for me.’” Then he adds: “But as respects Israel, he (God) says: ‘All day long I have spread my hands toward a people that is disobedient and talks back.”
It is little wonder, then, that so many of them were “broken off as unfaithful branches, from their own “garden olive tree.” And with believing gentile branches grafted in, what can it mean, but that the “garden olive” (Israel), continues to grow (with a great number of gentile believing branches), for the purpose of being the “seed” of promise by which all families of the earth will bless themselves.
One last point on this. In verse 28 of Romans chapter 11, Paul writes: “True, with reference to the good news, they (unfaithful Israel) are enemies for your sakes, but with reference to (God’s) choosing, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.” Then he adds: (v. 32) “For God has shut them all up together in disobedience, that he might show all of them mercy.” How will God do that, and when?
As previously stated, Jesus told his faithful disciples that they will “sit on thrones and judge the 12 tribes of Israel.” In other words, natural Israel, like all other nations, or families of the earth, will have to seek a blessing from the “promised seed,” the true Israel (represented by the “garden olive”).
As already mentioned, there still is time for “unfaithful branches” that were “broken off” to express faith, now, before our Lord returns. Only such faith will allow them to be grafted in again (in this age) into their “garden olive.” But very few might do this, “for they have been sealed up in their disobedience that (God) might show all of them mercy.” (Rom. 11:28) When?
We have seen, conclusively, that the garden olive, the true Israel, the “seed of promise,” will be a blessing to all of the families of the earth. Likewise, unfaithful branches who were cut off, will be shown mercy if they repent, and accept Christ Jesus in faith, when he returns to “judge the world,” for, (it seems), that is the way God will show them mercy. Indeed, repentance and belief in Christ is mandatory if one is to get saved.
As for the “promised seed” taking possession of “the gate of his enemies,” that will obviously take place when the Lord returns, for they will rule over the nations with Christ as King.
The Hebrew Scriptures also use the analogy of a vineyard, declaring that Israel was God’s own vineyard. For instance, Isaiah 5:7 states: “For the vineyard of Jehovah of armies is the house of Israel…” And the prophet Jeremiah said: “Many shepherds themselves have brought my vineyard to ruin…” (Jeremiah 12:10,11)
During his earthly ministry, Jesus explained what God was doing with Israel, (i.e., “his vineyard”). He showed this by means of a parable, when he said: “The kingdom of the heavens is like a man, a householder, who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard.” (Matt. 20:1) To the Jewish listener, the concept of a vineyard, as representing his people, was not something new.
Now then, with this background, we can better understand why Jesus would speak of “old” and “new” wineskins. Let’s read Luke 5:37-39. Jesus said: “Moreover, no one puts new wine into old wine skins; but if he does, then the new wine will burst the old wineskins, and it will be spilled out and the wineskins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins. No one that has drunk old wine wants new, for he says, “The old is nice.” The Pharisees were listening to this illustration, and so they asked him: “Why are you doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” Jesus does not explain his parable of the wine and wineskins to them. Rather, he answers them by saying, (among other things), “Lord of the Sabbath is what the Son of man is.”
Jesus was actually telling them that they had entered a “new era”, so to speak, for he was not only Messiah but also the “Lord of the Sabbath.” Unfortunately, they were still in an “old era”, and preferred to keep things that way. Jesus was upsetting their style, and they were bitterly opposed to that. Really then, they were like old wineskins, able to hold only the teachings of Moses, and they were comfortable with that. To them, “the old was nice.”
We have already considered the incredible change that Jeremiah foretold for Israel, recorded in Jeremiah 31:31-33. He had prophesied something new for Israel, for it was now required that they have the “law,” not merely as “keepers,” but that such law be “written on their hearts.” That was going to be their new “circumcision” i.e., the “circumcision of the heart.” Unrighteous as they were, however, their hearts were not receptive to such an idea. Because they were “old wineskins,” and this was “new wine,” they were not receptive to what Jesus was telling them. They did not like his teachings, for they preferred the “old wine” to which they had grown accustomed. It was precisely for this reason that they failed to recognize him as their Messiah. They failed to see that God was doing important work in God’s vineyard. Therefore, as Jesus shows in his parable about the vineyard, “He will come and destroy these cultivators and will give the vineyard to others.” (Luke 20:16)
Now consider this: The prophets tell us that Israel was God’s vineyard. As a vineyard, therefore, they were being cultivated as the “seed of promise” for the purpose of being a “blessing for the families of the earth” when Christ Jesus returns. Of course, when they rejected him, (who is the “vine”), God rejected them, and “gave the vineyard to others,” (i.e., for cultivation). Paul put it another way, they were “broken off” from their own “garden olive.” From this point onward then, the “branches” that were “broken off” could no longer survive, for they were no longer connected to the ”stump” or “root of fatness.” Their house was truly abandoned to them, even as Jesus foretold.
Jesus makes this very same point in John chapter 15. In verse 6 he says: “If anyone does not remain in union with me, he is cast out as a branch and is dried up…” This is so because, as Jesus said, “I am the true vine and you are the branches.” The Scriptures make that very obvious. It is a matter of looking at what has been written with great objectivity. As Paul wrote to the Romans, “…Let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, even as it is written: “That you might be proved righteous in your words and might win when you are being judged.” (Romans 3:4)