I love the allegory of the Olive Tree in Jacob 5. It can be read so many ways. I will be posting a podcast to this text that will hopefully be helpful to all of us in the next few days.
Zeno’s Allegory of the Tame and Wild Olive Trees, Jacob 5
(A Plausible Interpretation)
In this allegory there are a series of visits that the Lord makes throughout. We can give a brief overview here which may be useful to you as you study the text:
First Visit
Seeing that the old tame olive tree (Israel) was dying, the master pruned and fertilized it (see Jacob 5:4). Dead branches were burned (see v. 7), and wild branches (Gentiles) were grafted into the old root tree (see vv. 9-11). Tame branches were transplanted to the “nethermost parts of the vineyard” (v. 14) into good ground, poor ground, and the poorest ground.
Second Visit
The master inspects the old root tree and finds the wild branches bearing good fruit. The old root tree is saved (see Jacob 5:17-18). The master visits the tame branches planted in the “nethermost parts” and finds those planted in the good ground bearing part good and part wild fruit (Nephites and Lamanites). Those branches planted in the poor and poorest ground were bearing good fruit.
Third Visit
The master again visits the old root tree. He finds it cumbered with much fruit. He then visits the tame branches in the “nethermost parts” (see Jacob 5:38). These have become corrupt. In the “good” spot, the wild branches have overcome the tame (Lamanites overcome Nephites) (see vv. 39, 45).
Fourth Visit
The master calls servants to help (see Jacob 5:61). He brings branches from the “nethermost” trees to the old root tree (gathering of Israel) (see v. 52). The branches of all the trees are gradually pruned until the growth is balanced. The bad branches are burned (see vv. 65-66). All the trees bring forth natural (good) fruit (see vv. 73-75).
A More Concrete Analysis
Some students appreciate a more specific approach to the text. The following overview may be more suited to the needs of those who want a more concrete, historical way of examining the text. I am not rigidly fixed to this timeline and therefore give this as a general outline for those who want a more detailed analysis. The text can be broken into 5 sections, each with an analysis of how the tree or trees is managing why the Lord of the vineyard is away.
The Time Periods
Time Period A – Jacob 5:4-14
Time Period B – Jacob 5:15-28
Time Period C – Jacob 5:29-49
Time Period D – Jacob 5:50-73
Time Period E – Jacob 5:74-77
Marking the Scriptures
One of the basic things to understand about the allegory is that there are five time periods talked about and four different groups, or geographic locations of people. This is where marking the scriptures will be helpful. A simple way to identify the time periods is just with the letters A, B, C, D, and E. A simple way to identify the various groups or branches of Israel is with the numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4. Let us first identify the groups of people and where they were led geographically, by description from the allegory, and then we will mark the scriptures together so this allegory will become more understandable.
Group 1. A tame olive tree in the land of Israel. This geographical area is easy to identify as ancient Israel , or the land of Palestine located in and around Jerusalem , the holy city.
Group 2. The poorest spot of ground in the vineyard.
Group 3. A poorer spot of ground even that group 2. Not easily identifiable as to where it is. It, too, is far afield from Israel . Could be the “north countries” where the ten tribes were led around 721 B.C. Could be a general category of land where the scattered tribes were scattered, a barren land without the covenants and blessings of the Lord.
Group 4. A good spot of ground, even choice above all other parts of the land of the vineyard. This land, too, is greatly separated, geographically, from the mother tree, or the land of Israel . This land is where the children of Lehi were led. It is the land of the Nephites and the Lamanites. It is likely not only Central America, but the continents of North and South America . Next to the land of Israel , this is the easiest location to identify.
Period A. This is the earliest time when the covenants of Israel were put forth and includes some of the time of major scattering of the tribes of Israel . Some scholars feel that this could be connected to as early as the time of Adam and the patriarchs down to the time of Abraham. Although this is possible, it is not likely. It probably dates from the time of Abraham, about 2000 B.C. until the times of scattering, 721-600 B.C. I can see this being during the time of Zenos, which was probably within a century of the Assyrian invasion into Israel in 721 B.C.
Period B. This is a long time after the first period (Jacob 5:15) The scattering has taken place and the tribes are to be found around the mother tree and in at least three other areas around the vineyard. It appears that this time period is likely from about 721-600 B.C. until about 90 B.C. or thereabouts. The key to understanding this time period is where the good fruits are being found, specifically with Group 4, the Nephites and the Lamanites. (See Jacob 5:25) And since the Lamanite converts did not begin until after about 92 B.C. with the mission of the four sons of Mosiah, it has to take place before this time.
Period C. This is a long period of time after Period B. The allegory says that “the time draweth near, and the end soon cometh…” (See Jacob 5:29). This time period includes the time of the coming of Christ, the Roman attacks on Jerusalem around A.D. 68-70, the destruction of the Nephite nation, approximately A.D. 385 (see Jacob 5: 45) and includes a major portion of time into the dark ages, or the time of apostasy, perhaps even up until the end of the eighteenth century or beginning of the nineteenth century (late 1700’s or early 1800’s).
Period D. This is the last time that the vineyard is pruned and the harvest is brought in. It is the Dispensation of the Fullness of times. It is the period which includes the Restoration of all the keys and up until the time of the Second Coming. It includes from at least 1820 until the end of this dispensation. It is a time period that is the shortest of all the time periods. It is a time of gathering, where the covenants of Israel are re-established in the land of Israel . Again, it is the last time (see Jacob 5:62).
Period E. This is the Millennial Reign of the Lord. It is a thousand year period beginning just before the Second Coming of the Lord. No man knows the date of this time period. The signs of the times seem to point to a season, potentially in the foreseeable future.
The video (see below) is a much simpler way to see this allegory. We can see this as our story. This is about us. By reading the text this way, readers do not have to be expert in historical situations in and around Israel, they just have to get the general idea that they are like the tree. It is natural for us to grow, “wax old, and beg(in) to decay” (Jacob 5.3). In other words, we naturally go where it is easiest, and to produce “good fruit” we need direction. I like reading the allegory this way and find it so personal and powerful. Both readings are useful. I hope this post has been helpful in your quest to study Jacob 5!
Points to make
A key in understanding the text of Jacob 5 is the previous chapter. In Jacob 4, he lays out the fact that the Jews rejected Christ by “looking beyond the mark… because they desired it” (Jacob 4:14). He then asks the question, “how is it possible that these, after having rejected the sure foundation, can ever build upon it, that it may become the head of the corner?” In other words, he is asking, will God ever love me for rejecting Him? Or, how can God love me if I mess up? Another way to read this question is, “How can one who was rejected by Israel be chosen by them to be their leader?” I see both questions as relevant here and in my opinion both can come out of Jacob 4.15-18. I would approach this question differently depending on the scriptural understanding of my audience. But certainly this question is critical if we really want to understand the text and why Jacob is putting Zenos’ words in the record.
Jacob then states, “I will unfold this mystery unto you…” (Jacob 4:18) So Jacob 5 is an illustration of how the Lord feels about us, what lengths he will go to preserve us. It is also the answer to the second question as to how Jesus can become the foundation/king of a people who have completely rejected him.
Discussion questions
When the master visited the vineyard the third time, what had happened to all the fruit? (See Jacob 5:29–32, 37–42.) What do the many kinds of corrupt fruit symbolize? (Universal apostasy.) What caused the apostasy? (See Jacob 5:37, 40, 48.) What might the “loftiness” of the vineyard symbolize? How can our own loftiness, or pride, prevent us from bearing good fruit?
How the Lord feels:
Jacob 5:7, 11, 13, 51 – He doesn’t want to lose the tree! (This is much different than Isaiah 5)
Jacob 5:41 – He weeps for his vineyard (see Moses 7.27-31)
Jacob 5:47 – What could I have done more in my vineyard?
Jacob 5:47, 49 – Who has corrupted my vineyard?
Jacob 5:22 – Don’t tell me how to take care of my vineyard!
How does knowing that the Lord loves you make a difference in your life?
1 John 4:19 We love him because he first loved us!
How am I like the tree?
Jacob 5:3 – we do get stale. When was there a time in your life when a change made all the difference? What was the change?
Jacob 5:4 – How has the Lord pruned (cut you down), nourished (blessed you with physical and spiritual sustenance), and digged about you (helped you to grow, given you room to grow)?
Jacob 5:18 – What people has the Lord placed in your life that you would say have been difference makers in who you are today?
Jacob 5:8,13 – When have you felt that the Lord has moved you to a different location?
Jacob 5:66 – When has the Lord “clear(ed) away the bad” from your life?