Before 1200 BC, bronze (a combination of copper and tin) was the predominant metal used in the Middle East. With a melting point of 1,100 degrees Celsius, bronze was softer than iron. And although it was a significant step beyond stone and wood, bronze didn't hold an edge well.

As the Bronze Age ended, many changes occurred. Both the Philistines and Israelites entered Canaan at the time, and there were many invasions, wars, and collapses of cultures. This resulted in a worldwide shortage of tin, which led to a scarcity of bronze.

During the thirteenth century BC, an Aegean people (the Philistines) migrated to the Middle East. Their sophisticated culture used iron very effectively. In fact, they developed a process that included leaving iron in the fire long enough to absorb the carbon from firewood. This process formed another more malleable from of iron; steel.

Iron so revolutionized the world that it gave its name to the next 600 years; the Iron Age.

Iron, as a technological advancement during biblical times, could be compared to nuclear energy or computers today. It determined which cultures would dominate world events. It revolutionized how people lived, how much land they could plow, how much stone they could shape, how much wood they could cut. And it revolutionized warfare, just as gunpowder did centuries later.

The Philistines kept their iron technology secret so others could not use it. And their pagan culture dominated the Middle East during the early Iron Age, much as Western nations shape the cultures of developing nations today.

Since they lived on the coastal plain along the international trade route, Philistines could also influence the world (a mission God had intended the Israelites to fulfill). The Israelites, on the other hand, did not even own swords and spears, and had to pay the Philistines to sharpen their tools (1 Sam. 13:19-22).

Between the time David killed Goliath and when he became king of Israel (2 Sam. 5), the Israelites learned the secret of iron technology and became the dominant culture. Some scholars believe that David, or one of his people, learned this secret while living with the Philistines (1 Sam. 27-29).

Although iron technology enabled David to destroy the enemies of God's people, he could not have been as successful as he was without God's hand upon him. Iron technology was one of the means by which God blessed David and provided a people, nation, and kingly pattern for the coming Son of David.

For Christians today, iron symbolizes the technological advancements that we can and should use to spread God's influence throughout the world.

What is a Mezuzah?

A small container called a mezuzah is attached to the doorpost of every religious Jewish home. This mezuzah contains a small, rolled up piece of paper with Bible verses inscribed on it (the text of Deut. 4:4-9; 11:13-21). Upon entering the home, one touches the mezuzah and then kisses his or her fingers as an expression of devotion to the verses that it contains.

The Scripture Behind It

"These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them upon your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates" (Deut. 6:6-9).

A Visual Reminder

The physical presence of a copy of the commandments served as an excellent reminder of God's desire for his people, that they would love him with all of their heart, all of their soul, and all of their strength (Deut. 6:5). This visual aide reminded the people to serve and obey God in every aspect of life.

Jericho's Ruins Symbolize a Mezuzah

The main entrance to the Promised Land was the mountain pass guarded by Jericho. After defeating the city, God commanded that Jericho's ruins be left as a testimony, like a mezuzah, that the land belonged to him. God wanted his mark of ownership to remain on the land as a visual reminder that its occupants must obey and serve him.

Belvoir's Fortress

Built by French Crusaders with a moat, outer walls, and an inner building, Belvoir looks like a European fortress transplanted onto Israel's soil

Built by a group of French Crusaders, the Belvoir fortress stands in an area of northern Israel called the Heights of Issachar. East of Belvoir, across the Rift Valley, are the mountains of Gilead.

The fort itself was constructed high above the Rift Valley, isolated from the nearby farmlands and roads. Surrounded by a moat, and built with an outer and inner fortress, Belvoir looks like a European fortress transplanted onto Israel's soil.

About 50 knights and 450 soldiers lived in Belvoir, along with their families and staff. These Crusaders eventually faced opposition from Saladin, a Muslim warrior who had wrested control of Jerusalem from the Crusaders. Saladin laid siege to Belvoir in 1180, and the fortress withstood the siege for about four years.

In 1187, the siege began anew. After a few more years, the knights of Belvoir finally surrendered. They left the fortress and were given free passage to the coast, where they sailed back to Europe.

Mistaken Methods

The Crusaders committed horrible acts of hatred and violence, distorting Jesus' methods of self-sacrifice and love.

Today, the Belvoir fortress symbolizes a sad chapter in Christian history. The Crusaders mistakenly used their own violent methods, rather than following Jesus' example.

Jesus chose specific methods for delivering his message to the first-century world. He demonstrated compassion and love for rich and poor alike, and he invited people to embrace salvation. Though he was passionate about his message, Jesus did not use violence to encourage conversions.

In fact, Jesus actually suffered violence himself rather than return the hatred and vengeance of those who arrested him. He willingly sacrificed his life in order to confront evil.

Many people misunderstood Jesus' message and methods. There were Zealots who tried to bring God's kingdom with violence. There were Pharisees who single-mindedly focused on the Torah, but failed to demonstrate Jesus' love. And there were Essenes, extremely devoted to God, but living in isolation.

Years later, the Crusaders also misunderstood Jesus' methods. They used violence rather than following their Messiah's example. And they committed unspeakable horrors that distorted Jesus' message.

The Crusades

The Crusaders brutally killed thousands of people throughout Europe, Turkey, and Israel, targeting groups that did not subscribe to their tradition of Christianity.

Problems within Europe's feudal system fueled the Crusades. As the population grew, there simply was not enough room for everyone, and the prospects of economic expansion became dim.

In the midst of their economic troubles, Europeans heard rumors that a Jerusalem bishop had been killed. Angered by this "news," the Crusaders decided it was time for them to take back the Holy Land from the "infidel" Muslims. Supported by many churches and popes, the Crusades were carried out during the eleventh and twelfth centuries.

As they left Europe, the Crusaders brutally destroyed the inhabitants of many communities, targeting groups that did not subscribe to their tradition of Christianity. Thousands of innocent Jews and Muslims were cruelly killed, and the Crusaders plundered their belongings.

As they entered Turkey, the Crusaders continued to slaughter the "infidels." But many of those killed were actually Orthodox Christians%u2014their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ%u2014who happened to look and dress differently than the Crusader Christians.

The Crusaders continued their brutality in Israel, eventually seizing Jerusalem. For nearly two hundred years, they used the methods of violence as a means of presenting Jesus' gospel of peace.

Damaging Consequences

The hypocrisy and hatred of the Crusades deeply damaged the witness of real Christians, building a wall that pushed many non-Christians away

The Crusades were a terrible chapter in Christian history. Instead of drawing people to Jesus, they built a wall around him, pushing outsiders away. And instead of following Jesus' example of self-sacrifice, they sacrificed others for their own personal gain.

Sadly, Crusaders justified their cruel behavior with lies. They branded the Jews as killers of Jesus, ignoring the fact that Jesus died for their own sins. They considered the Muslims to be infidels who had unrightfully inhabited the Holy Land. But then the Crusaders, outsiders themselves, used violence to overtake the land.

The hypocrisy and hatred of the Crusades deeply damaged the witness of real Christians. Non-Christians often equate Jesus with the violence of the Crusades. Not surprisingly, they want nothing to do with him.

Today, Crusader fortresses like Belvoir remind Middle Easterners of the hatred advanced by so-called Christians. The legacy of the Crusades is one that has kept many from entering the kingdom of God.

Jesus' Method

As Christians today, we know that Jesus' sacrificial love is the right way to advance the kingdom of God.

Motivated by a desire for personal reward, the Crusaders confronted evil with hatred, committing violent acts in the process. Jesus was motivated by love, and he confronted his culture with mercy, sacrificing himself for the very people who made his death necessary.

As Christians, we know that Jesus' way is the right way. But the Crusaders' methods seem so much easier as we go about daily life!

It is easy to justify hatred for our enemies%u2014but it is difficult to love them. It is easy to hurl insults at those who hurt us%u2014but it is difficult to offer them hope. And it is easy to do tasks that benefit ourselves%u2014but it is difficult to benefit someone else.

Satan often tempts us to hate instead of love, especially when we face the darker corners of our culture or the frustrating individuals in our lives. But hatred is the Crusaders' way. And the Crusades showed us that Christians cannot successfully confront evil when they have evil attitudes and actions themselves.

Our challenge is to choose Jesus' way%u2014 to become humble servants rather than hateful warriors. When we demonstrate his sacrificial love, even to the most difficult people in our lives, others will notice. And then we can tell them about the amazing mercy of our God.

How do you deal with frustrating people and circumstances in your life? Do you act more like a Crusader or a disciple of Jesus?

Modern-day Fishing

Today fishermen catch the same fish and use the same nets as the disciples did. The Sea of Galilee is near the hills of today's Golan Heights and the Decapolis of Jesus' day. The cool wind blowing off the hills sinks rapidly onto the sea, displacing the warmer air, and causing storms to strike.The size of this boat helps us understand the terror the disciples felt after being caught in the storm at sea.

In a mansion near the burnt house, the opulence of the people of this part of the city (many were Sadducees) is revealed. The beautiful mosaic in the floor, made from thousands of tiny bits of stone of various colors, displays the typical geometric designs used by religious Jews because images and pictures violated the second commandment (Ex. 20:4-6). The stone jars, stone tables, and stone tray (with bowls prepared for serving guests) were available only to the wealthy and were used because stone did not become ritually unclean.The stone jars were probably used to store fresh water for household use. They are about the same size as those described in the biblical account of Jesus' miracle of turning water to wine (John 2:1-11). These jars were probably covered by lids.

This mansion was also destroyed by the Romans. The eminent Israeli archaeologist Nahman Avigad has suggested that this house may have belonged to a high priest (perhaps Annas or Caiaphas). Certainly, Jesus was questioned before Annas, Caiaphas, and the Sanhedrin (John 18:12-27) in a mansion of such luxury.

The mosaic floor pictured here is from the private bathhouse in the Western Palace. The multicolored geometric designs are typical of Herod's construction. Some scholars think he chose not to use figures of animals, people, or gods, out of respect for his subjects, who believed that these would violate their commandment against making images. Made of many tiny stones (called tessarae) of different mineral types, mosaic became a significant skill of the Jewish people during and after Herod's time. The structures in the side corners were built over the mosaic by the Jewish rebels during the First Jewish Revolt. Since these rebels were fighting for life itself, they were not concerned about Herod's luxury.

Mount Carmel, which literally means "God's vineyard," is a mountain range running about thirteen miles southeast in the western Jezreel Valley. This part of Israel receives thirty inches of rain each year and is the most heavily forested area in the country.

Near Mount Carmel, the major international trade route of ancient days"the Via Maris"passed by. Because of its fertility, the surrounding land was also the breadbasket of Israel. Mount Carmel stood as a high point in this strategic area.

Looking at the fertile Jezreel plain and Mount Carmel's ancient olive trees today, we understand why this place symbolized fertility and blessing to God's people. It was pictured in the Bible as a beautiful and fruitful area.

But the area also symbolized God's judgment on the land. On several occasions, God allowed Mount Carmel to become withered and desolate as a result of the Israelites' disobedience. One of these droughts ended with the famous confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. (1 Kings 18:19-39).

 

Today the top of Mount Moriah lies somewhere beneath the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock. Throughout the Bible, this special place played a significant role in many people's lives:

Abraham
In Gen. 22:1-14, God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, his only beloved son and the heir God promised, in the region of Moriah. As Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac, God intervened and provided a ram for the sacrifice.

David
David, after receiving a prophetic word from Gad, his prophet, selected the future site of the temple on Mount Moriah.

An angel told Gad to tell David that an altar should be built on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. Both men met each other, and David asked Arunah to sell him the site. After David purchased it for about 15 pounds of gold, he built an altar to God and sacrificed offerings on it. Then, confirming his approval, God sent down fire on the altar.

David later brought the Ark of the Covenant into his city on Mount Moriah.

Solomon
God chose Solomon, David's son, to build the temple. Solomon determined to build a great temple to honor God, and began building it on the threshing floor of Aranuah the Jebusite, the site David had previously purchased.

Jesus
Another important historical event that took place near Jerusalem and Mount Moriah was the crucifixion of Jesus.

The Common Thread
What common thread links Abraham's experience on Mount Moriah, the Israelites, offering of sacrifices there, and Jesus' crucifixion? On the mountain site he had chosen, God provided a substitute for sacrificing Isaac, the Jews offered sacrifices to God as a substitutionary way to receive forgiveness of sins, and Jesus took our sins upon himself and died as our sacrificial lamb.

Tradition holds that this is the place where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7). There is no concrete evidence to support this belief because the exact location is not specified in the Scriptures. However, this slope is in the right geographical area, and its appearance is certainly similar to what we might expect. One can imagine crowds seated on the rocks and the dirt of the hillside, listening to the Rabbi speak the message of the kingdom of God.

This five-mile-long block of salt rises out of the ground at the southern tip of the Dead Sea. The barren conditions of the area are a stark reminder of the consequences of Lot's choice and his wife's disobedience. Some scholars believe that Sodom and Gomorrah lie under the Dead Sea. Whether this is true or not, the desolateness of the area should persuade us to chose God and to resist the sinful practices of any culture.

Four views of Judaism

In Jesus' day, there were varying philosophies within the Jewish faith.  While some Jews embraced the Roman rulers, others resisted with violence.  And whereas some Jewish believers lived a simple, isolated lifestyle, others enjoyed a lifestyle of wealth and influence. 

Four predominant religious groups emerged:  Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, and Zealots.  During his ministry, Jesus' likely interacted with them all, touching the hearts of some, and sparking violent hatred among others.

Pharisees

Origin
Descended from Hasidim freedom fighters of the Maccabee era

Membership
Middle-class merchants numbering about 6,000

Beliefs
-Believed in entire Old Testament as law
-Accepted oral interpretation of the Old Testament
-Believed study of Torah was the highest act of worship
-God's desire was for his people to keep the law
-Believed in bodily resurrection and life after death

Practices
-Supported synagogues for Torah study and interpretation
-Strict, detailed obedience to oral and written law
-Accepted Rome as a necessary evil as long as they were allowed to practice their beliefs

Sadducees

Origin
Descended from Solomon's high priest, Zadok, and became a faction around 200 B.C.

Membership
Priests who were wealthy, aristocratic, and often Hellenistic

Beliefs
-Only accepted the Torah as God's law
-Rejected oral traditions
-Believed the Temple was the only path to God
-Did not believe in bodily resurrection

Practices
-Ran the Temple and all its ceremonies
-Dominated the Sanhedrin-the religious ruling council
-Lived a Hellenistic, affluent lifestyle
-Received Roman support

Essenes

Origin
Registered Maccabees' claim to the high priesthood in approximately 170 A.D.

Membership
Possibly dissident Sadducees or Pharisees; preferred isolation in wilderness to participation in Temple services led by corrupt priests.

Beliefs
-They needed to withdrawal from corruption
-Believed true priests descended only from Zadok
-Believed in rigid adherence to the Torah
-Believed they had been chosen to prepare for imminent arrival of kingdom of God

Practices
-Worked at copying and studying the Torah
-Lived in isolated communities
-Share property and communal meals
-Practiced ritual cleansing

Zealots

Origin
A movement formed against a Roman census in 6 A.D. and led by Judas the Galilean

Membership
Extreme Pharisess and religious Jews living primarily in Galilee

Beliefs
-Theology resembled that of Pharisees, however, they believed only God could rule
-Slavery was the worst evil
-Taxes were due only to God
-Hated the rule of Romans

Practices
-Practice terrorism against Romans
-Refused to pay taxes
-Adhered carefully to Torah interpretation

Early in the history of Israel, God established the Nazarites as a unique category of people. They were totally devoted to his service (Num. 6).

Nazarites took a vow of total separation from the community for a short time (or occasionally, for life). They became a living reminder to the Israelites of their call to be set apart from the pagan culture around them.

The creed of the Nazarite began with a vow taken by the individual, or by the parents before the birth of a child. The vow had four elements:

- First, a Nazarite was to abstain from wine, fermented drink, or any product of the grapevine (Num. 6:3, 4). Such a person would be odd in a culture where fresh water was scarce.- Second, a Nazarite must allow his hair to grow and not use a razor (Num. 6:5). The appearance of this unshaven separatist would have created a stir wherever he went, even in a society in which beards were common.- Third, the Nazarite must avoid dead bodies (Num. 6:6, 7). Some scholars believe this referred to human bodies. Others believe it referred to any dead body. In a meat-eating society, a vegetarian would be unusual.- Finally, Nazarites completely consecrated and set apart their lives for the service of God (Num. 6:8). Their devotion to God encouraged the Israelites to be faithful, despite the seductive value system of its pagan neighbors.

A separate court for the Nazarites was contained within the Women's Court in the Jerusalem Temple. The Chamber of the Nazarites allowed them to continue their separation from the community during worship. It was here that the Nazarites could take their vows of separation, or terminate their vows and have their hair cut. This facility prevented contact with anyone who was ceremonially unclean.

Both Samson (Judg. 13:5) and Samuel (1 Sam. 1:27-28) were Nazarites in Old Testament times. Samson tried to be God's instrument without separating himself from the Philistines. As a result, he failed and broke all of his vows. He killed a lion with his bare hands (thus touching a dead body). He attended a drinking party as the guest of honor. And he allowed Delilah to cut his hair.

Each time, God's strength left him, leaving him weak. Only when Samson finally acknowledged God as the source of his strength was he able to defeat the Philistines, but he lost his life in the process (Judg. 16:28-30).

John the Baptist may also have been a Nazarite (Luke 1:15-17). He subsisted on a diet of locusts and honey, wore a camel skin robe, had uncut hair, and avoided drinking wine (the usual beverage of the culture). These characteristics highlighted his total devotion to God and his message of the coming Messiah.

The southern part of Israel is called the Negev. It is a "tame" desert, with occasional rain in some area, and some land that is valuable for livestock and certain crops.

The arid Negev (Negev means "dry") lies south of the Hebron Mountains that form the southern section of Israel's central mountain range. This desert receives fewer than eight inches of rainfall annually in the north, and less than half that amount in the south. Except for a few settlements that use modern methods to catch rain runoff, only nomads live here.

The northern region of the Negev, from the Hebron Mountains to the Zin Wilderness, is good sheep country. Its rolling hills surround large, broad valleys such as the Valley of Beersheba in which Abraham settled.

The Negev's central region is rugged and cut by deep canyons in the Zin Wilderness. Because the climate and terrain are so inhospitable "even to nomads' at least one scholar has suggested that the "valley of the shadow of death" mentioned in Psalm 23 may refer to the canyons here.

The southern portion of the Negev is called the Wilderness of Paran on the Bible. This region is the most barren of all.

Israel's neighbors were powerful leaders in the ancient world: Egypt to the south, Greece and Rome to the west, and the nations of Bablyon, Assyria, and Persia to the east.

Israel stood as a natural land bridge between them, and millions of foreign traders passed through their land each year. In this position, God's people had a tremendous opportunity to impact their powerful neighbors.

God's people also interacted with smaller nations that surrounded their land: Philistia, Edom, the Decapolis, and others.

Unfortunately, the Israelites often turned to the pagan gods of their neighbors rather than honoring the one true God. As a result, God sometimes allowed Israel's neighbors to invade and destroy the land.

Net Weight

In Jesus' day, fishing nets were made of fibers, sometimes linen.

They had wood floats along one edge and sinkers attached to the rope at the bottom. These net sinkers were often made of small stones of basalt, flint, or limestone. A small hole was drilled into each sinker so that it could be fastened to the net.

The weights shown here were found in ancient Galilean harbors by Mendel Nun, the leading scholar on the Sea of Galilee. The disciples spent a lot of time making these weights and attaching them to their nets.

In Revelation 2:25, the apostle John condemns those who follow the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitians. Balaam is known for his role in encouraging the Israelites to participate in the feasts and sexual immorality of the Canaanite idols, which led them away from God. Scholars disagree about who the Nicolaitans were. According to church tradition, they comprised a group of people who believed that since they were redeemed by Jesus and, therefore, free in him, they could participate in immoral ceremonies since idols were not gods anyway. Interestingly, both words mean the same thing, prince of the people. Biblical writers strongly condemned participation in such behavior (1 Cor. 10:20?22) for many reasons, including the fact that Christians were not to eat meat or drink wine that had been used in sacrifices to pagan gods.

This olive installation is located at the modern-day city of Maresha in southern Judea. Its appearance and location in a cave are typical of ancient presses. Oil installations were commonly placed in caves because the more moderate temperatures improved the efficiency of olive production. It is likely that the gethsemane Jesus visited the night before his arrest was in a cave near an olive grove.

The ripe (black) olives were placed in a large, round basin (called yam or "sea"). A donkey, blindfolded to prevent dizziness, walked around the basin, pushing the horizontal beam and rolling the wheel (called memel or millstone) on the ripe fruit, crushing it into pulp. Smaller caves beyond the crusher may have been used to store the olive oil in clay jars, keeping it cool so it did not spoil.

Olive trees rarely reach 20 feet high. This ancient tree, with is gnarled trunk, is still very productive after 100 or more years of bearing olives. The root system of olive trees spreads wide to obtain the necessary moisture in Israel's relatively dry climate. Because of this, trees in groves like this one in Galilee are far away from each other.

The olive tree is known for its beauty, in part because its ancient trunk often has the look of a productive past. Its leaves are light green on the top and much lighter green on the bottom, so the leaves shimmer in the wind

When olive trees get very old (often hundred of years old), the branches are cut off. Soon new shoots grow out of the stump, and the tree begins producing olives again. The roots and the trunk can survive for centuries. This tree provides an image of Isaiah's prophecy, "A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit? (Isa. 11:1). Jesus was the shoot from the stump of Jesse (David's father).

The old tree shown here helps illustrate God's plan of salvation. In Romans 11:11-24, Paul described Christians as either natural branches (those of Jewish background) or branches that have been grafted onto Jesus (Gentiles). As branches on this tree, our fruit is Jesus' fruit. We will bear fruit if we are attached to him.

Olive oil was highly valued by the people of first-century Israel. They used it in food preparation and preservation, in medicine, and in cosmetics. Olive oil was also used to lubricate wheels and hinges. Its most important use, however, was probably as a fuel source for pottery lamps.

The symbolic importance of olive oil is apparent by its use as anointing oil on an appointee to a religious office. To be a messiah is to be an "anointed one" (Greek: Christ). While men anointed other men with oil for a spiritual task, God anointed his Son for a task no other human could fulfill. Ultimately, God's Chosen One was the Messiah, the title Jesus claimed.

Olive oil was a significant part of the daily lives of the Israelites in the first century. It was eaten in or with other food, used for skin care, used to fuel lamps, taken as medicine, and widely used in trade. It may also have been used as a lubricant, to keep leather soft, and to protect people from the sun. It was one of God's three blessings of the land (Deut. 6:11). It was mixed with the morning burnt offerings. It symbolized honor, joy, favor, and love. It also was a symbol of God's Spirit.

The cultivation and harvesting of olives was essential to Galilee's first-century economy. A community olive processing installation included an olive crusher, which cracked the olives in order to produce an initial flow of oil, and an olive press.

The Process
Often, the presses at an olive installation were cut out of rock and could process large quantities of olives at one time. To do this, the olives were first crushed into a pulp, generally by means of a large stone column that rolled in a circular trough on the olives.

The crushed olives were then collected in special baskets and stacked on a flat rock surface that had a trench around the outside.

This type of press used a heavy limestone pillar which could be lifted by several people. The enormous weight of this pillar gradually squeezed the oil out of the pulp and through the basket's walls. The oil was collected in the trench, and dripped down into the containers below.

Other Methods
There were actually several methods of pressing the olives. In some cases a long beam inserted in a hole in a nearby wall placed weights directly on the olives.

Later, a screw-type press was used in which a large, threaded pole stood on either side of the olive press. By turning the pole, pressure was exerted, squeezing the olives and extracting the precious oil.

Its Uses
Oil was sold as a highly valuable commodity or stored in clay jars in a cool place for the household's use. On some occasions, the pulp was removed from the baskets and crushed and pressed again, although the best oil came from the first squeezing.

The olive tree is one of the plants most frequently mentioned in the Bible. Scripture writers used olive tree imagery to describe Jesus' Jewish roots and the relationship of Jews and Gentiles.

When an olive tree gets very old (often hundreds of years old) and has reached its maximum production, farmers usually cut it down to improve its future growth. Soon, new shoots grow from the old stump, and the tree begins producing olives again.

This aspect of the olive tree provides an image of Isaiah's prophecy, 'A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from His roots a Branch will bear fruit' (Isa. 11:1). As a descendant of David, Jesus was the shoot from the stump of Jesse (David's father).

As the Old Testament frequently notes, the olive tree is beautiful (Jer. 11:16, Hosea 14:6). The faithful followers of God are compared to vigorous olive trees, and their children are said to be like the shoots that appear at the tree's roots, guaranteeing its survival.

The New Testament uses olive trees to help illustrate God's pan of salvation. In Rom. 11:11-24, Paul describes Christians as either natural olive branches (those of Jewish background), or olive branches that have been grafted onto Jesus (Gentiles). As branches grafted into Jesus, Christians will only bear fruit if we are attached to (and have a personal relationship with) him.

The olive tree provides an excellent lesson for Christians who are not Jewish. Though God cut many Jewish branches down because they rejected Jesus as Messiah, he did not uproot the tree. The shoot of Jesus and the branches of his Gentile followers grew from a Jewish stump. As Christians, we are branches growing from Jewish roots.

The olive tree can be a constant reminder that Jesus is our source of life; our branch springing from Jewish roots. The beautiful olive tree reminds us of God's amazing plan of salvation and his expectation that all his branches will bear fruit in abundance.

The olive tree is known for its beauty (Hosea 14:6) partially because its large ancient trunk often has the look of a productive past. Furthermore, one side of the tree's leaves are light green and the other, a much lighter green, give the leaves a shimmering appearance.

Although olive trees rarely reach twenty feet high, their extensive root systems, which spread wide to obtain the adequate moisture in Israel?s relatively dry climate, require that the trees be planted some distance apart. Consequently, an average grove usually numbers a dozen trees or less.

Production and Harvest
An olive tree begins producing fruit at around ten years of age and reaches peak production after fifty years of age. Flower blossoms develop in the springtime; fruit appears during the summer and ripens in the fall.

Olive farmers harvest both the ripe and unripe olives for picking, eating, or, more likely, to be pressed for oil. The olives of Israel were (and are) known for their high oil content.