Olive Branch

Olive Branch

“And the dove returned to him at eventide, and behold it had plucked an olive leaf in its mouth…”—Genesis 8:11

The Greeks used the olive branch as a symbol of victory and peace. Long before the Greeks though, the Bible uses the olive branch as a sign that the flood had ended and that it was safe to re-inhabit the world.

What is the message of the olive branch? The Torah could have simply told us that the dove had returned with a branch in its mouth without specifying from what tree the branch came. Let’s dig a little deeper.

The ancient Jewish sages made the following comment: “Better let my food be as bitter as an olive from the hands of God and not as sweet as honey from the hands of flesh and blood.”

Placing our faith in God is far better than placing faith in man. You may be promised all the honey and sweetness in the world but ultimately the promises and guarantees of man are not trustworthy.

When placing our faith in God there are times when it is very bitter and difficult. We may not understand why certain things are occurring yet ultimately the bitterness that we may taste is, at the end of the day, the sweetest thing in the world.

After the flood when they are about to rebuild the world, along comes the dove and teaches them this message. They fail to absorb this message and unite for the purpose of building the Tower of Babel to rebel against God. Ultimately this leads to their dispersion.

For any society to succeed, trust must be placed in God and His promises of peace. While we may be tempted by the honey of man, it is the olive branch of God that holds hope for mankind to usher in an era of true peace and satisfaction.

RABBI MOSHE ROTHCHILD, ISREAL ALLIANCE

 Live Life Expectantly!

Your Voice and Life Matter, Touch someone today!

God Bless, Chap                                                                                                                                            Mulligans for Life   

16845 N 29Th Ave Suite 1 Box #5   

Phoenix, AZ 85053

Join our “MFL-MLC” team, become a monthly partner!

Send Love offerings and prayer requests to: 

 www.mulligansforlife.com  (501-c3)

Posted on
Category: Ponders
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”