Parable of the Olive Tree – Romans 11:11-25
The goodness and severity of God is on display in the Parable of the Olive Tree (Rom 11:22). Paul uses the illustration of an Olive Tree to explain how God has and will deal with the Jews and Gentiles, in regard to blessing, through the ages.
The section from Romans 11:11-25 is broken up into two sections:
1. v11-15 – Relationship of Jew and Gentiles according to the blessings of God
2. v16-25 – Relationship Illustrated in the Parable of the Olive Tree
Section one gives an outline to how Israel because of unbelief has been set aside, and opportunity for blessing has come to all men through the same means. No longer is the Israelite the exclusive benefactor of God’s riches, but the Gentiles, also through Abraham’s covenant, can be brought into the privilege of God’s blessings.
Section two is the parable, whereby we must read carefully with knowledge of v11-15 and other scripture in order to interpret properly. The players in this parable are as follows:
1. Olive branches – Israel Nationally
2. Wild Olive branches – Gentiles Collectively
3. Root and Olive Tree – The link of God’s Privilege through Abraham
Beginning in v17, it is explained that some of the branches have been broken off. This is speaking of all those of the Nation of Israel who were unbelieving. Among the nation of Israel there are some who are the remnant. This remnant is the branches that remain in the tree; those who are unbelieving are broken off. v20 explains that it was because of unbelief that the majority of Israel nationally has been cut off from God’s blessing for the time being. God has always had His remnant through the ages in Israel. From Noah’s and his family (Gen 7:1), to Elijah and the 7000 prophets (1 Ki 19:18), to Mary, Simeon, John the Baptist and Anna (Lu 2:38), to Jews like Paul (Rom 11:1), even to the future 144,000 marked out of the nation of Israel (Rev 7:4), God will always have his remnant of believing Jews.
Presently the day we live in, God has opened the way of salvation to the whole Gentile nations.* The Gentiles are the wild olive branches**. This is the day when the blessings of God have flowed to the Gentile people in mercy and grace, when the wild olive branches will be grafted into the olive tree. Though unnaturally attached to the olive tree, these wild branches still are able to bring forth good fruit because of the tree and it’s root. The beginning of God working with the Gentiles began with the rejection of the Messiah nationally at the Praetorium with the cry, “his blood be on us and our children.” (Matt 27:25) This present division of God’s dealings with man will continue on until the Lord Jesus Christ’s return to the earth in glory to reign in righteousness and reclaim the city of Jerusalem solely for the nation to make it glorious (Lu 21:24). All nations are now blessed through Abraham to fulfill the promise of the Lord (Gen 12:1-3). The Gentiles can be linked to Abraham and the blessings of God by faith (Rom 4:13, 16-17).
When this age of God’s blessings flowing through the Gentile people will end, will be the exact same time as the regeneration of Israel nationally (Mt 19:28). It will be at this time that all those who are of the Gentiles and unbelieving, will be broken off from the privilege and blessing of God (Rom 11:22). All those who are of the believing remnant of Israel will be grafted again into the olive tree. They will be that nation born at once (Isa 66:8) when the nation of Israel will again live spiritually (Eze 37:1-14) and be the channel of blessing for all the nations in the Millennial Kingdom of Christ (Zech 8:23) as was the intention of God for His people (Mal 1:11).
*I didn’t choose the term “Times of the Gentiles” because the time when blessings from God will flow through the Gentiles is not identical with “Times of the Gentiles.” In brief, The Times of the Gentiles refers to God blessing the Gentiles with political domination in the world. It began with Nebuchadnezzar and will end at the destruction of the Beast. The time that these wild branches refer to does not refer to physical or political things, but rather spiritual blessing.
**It must be noted, the wild branches cannot be the church because v22 says that this branch will be cut off. The church will not be cut off but raptured. Any who is in the true church of God can never be plucked from the hand of the Father, Son, of have the seal of the Holy Spirit broken (John 10:28-29, Eph 1:13).
Quoted Scriptures – These are to aid in initial reference. Look up each to ensure the context.
Genesis 7:1: And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
Genesis 12:1-3: Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
I Kings 19:18: Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
Isaiah 66:8: Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
Ezekiel 37:1-5: The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,: And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest. Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:
Zechariah 8:23: Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.
Malachi 1:11: For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.
Matthew 19:28: And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Matthew 27:25: Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
Luke 2:38: And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Luke 21:24: And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
John 10:28-29: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
Romans 14:13, 16-17: Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way… Let not then your good be evil spoken of: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Romans 11:1: I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
Romans 11:22: Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Ephesians 1:13: In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise
Revelation of John 7:4: And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
