Friday, February 24, 2006

ALMONDS AND OLIVES

February 24, 2006

We want to thank all who have responded with prayers and condolences in the last couple of weeks in the aftermath of my mother's death. It was also at this time of year, back in 2000, that two very close friends (believers) and former residents of our town, a mother and her pregnant daughter, were killed in a car accident in Ireland and then buried here in Alfe Menashe. Now with the passing over of my mother, I was reminded of an article that I had written back then. The following is a modification of that letter.

Thus, again, our sorrow and grief have been mingled with joy and excitement, a state so typical of the “mixed” human condition here on earth. All the same, we must return to the work that each of us has been given while we remain on this side of YHVH's eternal plan, and that is to be a part of the manifestation and restoration of His kingdom to one nation - Israel. It was for this task that Messiah came, as was foretold by the angel Gabriel: "He [Yeshua] will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and YHVH Elohim will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Ya’acov forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end" (Luke 1:32-33). We, being a part of that remnant, must pay close attention to the word of YHVH through His holy prophets from of old, as it is written that “the heavens must retain Him [Messiah] until the restoration of all things spoken through the mouth of [these] holy prophets” (Acts 3:21).

Those of you who have visited Israel during this season of the year, are most likely familiar with the beautiful blossoms of the almond tree. On the hills of Samaria especially there are thousands of olive trees, among which are scattered these lovely almond trees. The white and pink blossoms of the almond trees' slender branches, juxtaposed with the somber silvery green of the olive trees and their gnarled trunks, form a delightful and memorable sight. The delicate and graceful “shkey’diya” standing among the olive trees is much like a young bride surrounded by a crowd of stately sages.

The word for almond in Hebrew is “sha’ked”, the root verb of which is “to watch diligently”. This is well illustrated in Jeremiah 1:11-12 which reads: “Moreover the word of YHVH came to me, saying, ‘Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah), what do you see?’ And I said, ‘I see a branch of an almond tree’. Then YHVH said to me, ‘you have seen well, for I am watching [persistently and with diligence] over My word to perform it.’" The olive tree, on the other hand, is the known symbol of the House of Jacob (ref. Jer. 11:16).

This relationship of olive and almond can also be seen in the Menorah, as the cups that hold the olive oil are shaped in the form of the flower of the almond tree. Thus, when lit, the pressed oil in the basin of the “flower” lights up the Holy Place. The olive oil for the Menorah came from the first fruit of the tree, and some claim that only the first drop of oil from each of those olives could be used for that lamp.

The almond tree is the first to demonstrate the budding of life at the end of winter, even before springtime. At the same time, its blossoms are the sign for the husbandman to prune the olive trees, and so, at this time of year the branches are seen lying on the ground around the olive tree ready to be gathered and burned. It is worth noting that the branches that get pruned are the ones in the interior of the tree, those hidden from sunlight; those that are sapping the tree of its life-giving energy, and while producing little fruit they also prevent the tree from breathing. The branches that are left will then bear larger and juicier olives. Added to the beautiful sight of the olive trees and the flowering almond trees are the carpets of violet and yellow flowers, interspersed with the red (poppy-like) anemones.

Our hearts are grieved over the many things that are taking place in the land of our inheritance, but yet YHVH will remain faithful to watch (almond = sha’ked - to be diligent) over His Word and promises to Israel, the olive tree. We find that our hearts are experiencing the same sort of feelings that Yeshua had as He wept over Jerusalem, or like those of Paul recorded in Romans 9:2-4: “I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Messiah for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh… who are Israelites.”

King David erected a tent, as a temporary covering until the time of the construction of the Temple, and brought into it the Ark of the Covenant. On that day he composed a prayer, excerpts of which I would like to quote, with the remnant of the seed of Israel in mind: “O, give thanks to YHVH, Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works! O seed of Yisrael His servant, you children of Ya’acov, His chosen ones! He is YHVH our Elohim; His judgments are in all the earth… Remember His covenant forever, the word that He commanded, for a thousand generations; The covenant which He made with Avraham, and His oath to Yitzchak, and confirmed it to Ya’acov for a statute, to Yisrael for an everlasting covenant, saying, ‘To you I will give the land of Canaan as the allotment of your inheritance'" (1 Chronicles 16:8-9; 13-18).

We, in this generation, are still far from the thousandth generation of our forefathers’ seed. It therefore behooves us to pay heed to David’s word, exhorting us to remember the land. The greater Son of David (Yeshua) is not interested in uniting Church and Synagogue; this is not what He is diligent in performing. Ezekiel tells us that He is interested in uniting two trees, two houses, two kingdoms, two nations and a people, to their Elohim, to each other, and to their land (Ezekiel 37). The Messiah came to restore the government of His Father to Israel, His firstborn nation. He will perform it and bring it to pass, but He will also prune the olive tree of Israel. “You will say then, ‘branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.' Well said, because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear, for if YHVH did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of YHVH” (Romans 11:19-22).

Please pray and ask what you might do to help in restoring the relationship between the two houses, as you can be like those almond trees blossoming in early spring amongst the olive trees on the hills of Samaria.
Ephraim

Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity (Psa. 133)

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