The Olive Tree and the Science of Grafting
by R.E. Strange - April 10, 2001
An observation: Let us take heed as to what we are joined to. In being organically joined as plantings of the Lord, we must be joined to Christ lest we take on spirits that seduce us from ever unfolding truths as in the progressions from branch to leaf to blossom and finally fruit. In the end we must come into the likeness of Jesus, the seed that fell into the ground and died. In the end, it is the fruit that bear the seed, the saint that bear Christ and witness of the quality of the plant. “…and if the root be holy, so are the branches.”
Romans 11:16
Romans 11:24, “For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
The science of grafting involves a bit of art in joining two identical or closely compatible species of plants, taking advantage of good root stock to join good buds to shoots to insure proper propagation of the plant and ultimately the production of good fruit.
It is necessary that plant surgery be made with a clean cut and then joined together in such a manner as to assure strength to the joint as well. The xylem (sap stream or sapwood) and the cambium (a paper-thin layer of tissue responsible for producing wood tissue) must be perfectly or very closely aligned and matched up.
There are various styles of grafting depending on plant species, size and desired affect. In all cases they must be joined assuring maximum strength and protected from bug and bacterial infestation. The latter is usually accomplished with the used of a grafting wax.
Paul said of the Jewish church (
Romans 11) that it was a wild olive tree that had been hewn down to which we, the believing gentiles, had been grafted into the rootstock. Many species of plants very often become wild and unproductive when left alone and uncultivated. Plants that degenerate also bring forth wild fruit if any at all.
Listen what God said of His (Jewish) Church:
Jeremiah 2:20-21, For of old time, I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands: and thou saidst, I will not transgress: when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot. Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?”
Isaiah 5th chapter speaks of Israel, the Jewish church, had been planted as a “noble vine” but now produced wild grapes. Verse 5 speaks of the end of that vineyard (the house of God) that it would be eaten up, the walls would be broken down and it shall be trodden under. That church had been planted as a noble vine but now it had become a wild vine producing wild grapes.
That an olive tree and a cultivated grapevine of value does not become a degenerate wild plant, there is a need of many and various ministry to the plant. There are a number of things or the lack of them that will cause weakness, leaf chlorosis, stuntend growth, and improper fruit, leaf necrosis, funguses, insect infestation, improper fruit development, casting fruit before maturity.
The tree must be “ministered” to in appropriate fashion at the appropriate season. When that ministry is not applied properly or neglected altogether the plant is inclined to become as Paul said, “a wild olive tree.” The fruit if any, becomes a wild undesirable fruit.
Sucker growth that fills a tree will cause life to be diverted from its branches, shoots, blossoms, diminishing the quality of fruit, the purpose of the tree. The sucker growth, the excessive foliage must be pruned to prevent the appearance of deadwood and subsequent weakening of the overall health of the tree. If this is not properly pruned along with the deadwood, insects become attracted to this weakened plant as is funguses and various diseases. Excessive shade from neighboring trees must be eliminated. Application of proper nutrients must be applied as the proper time of the year. Deep root watering must be made during times of excessive drought.
Unless proper ministry at the proper time is made available to the tree, the tree will become less commercially viable as evidenced by its substandard fruit. Eventually, such a tree reaches a point which no amount of ministry can reverse its decline, though the rootstock may be very healthy and viable.
The “ministry” of the old Jewish church of which Paul spoke in
Romans 11th chapter had become corrupted beyond hope. The office of High Priest was no longer filled by an appointment from God, but rather it had become a political appointment, usually from Rome. The office of Priesthood was gained by bribes. Those corrupt office holders also solicited bribes. That church had broken up into factions. That priesthood no longer depended on the Word of God for its hope and anchor, but rather they deferred to a humanly invented law called the Talmud.
You can see in that old broken off church many parallels with today’s man made ecclesiastical schemes. Today’s church world, including, or maybe I should say, especially the Pentecostal church has become very political. Political campaigns, nepotism, coveting of position, reputation, lust of wealth, have produced our equivalent of a corrupted Priesthood complete with our own modern version of the Talmud. You see the point. Many men have gradually left their first love of the Kingdom of God to take on their current love of self.
(Continued)
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