No Longer Orphans (alone). We Are Grafted into the Olive Tree

Being lonely is something I have “felt” on numerous occasions in my life. There have been times when I have heard that “being alone” is a preferred location and state. I am not in agreement with that. It’s not quite as emotionally destructive as “feeling the darkness” as in the pre-Exodus plague in Egypt, but it can mess a person up something horrible.  Even animals can become distant when they have not felt the companionship connection.

Loneliness is a biased and very much individual perception that our emotional and social relationships are not as strong as our desire for a relationship.

In creation, it was never intended for man to be alone. After the tower of Babel, where man was trying to build a tower to GOD, and the ability to easily communicate was “confused” (multi-languages introduced to mankind) and civilizations grew, even more distancing took place.

Can you imagine being born, fed for about two years and then left to be alone for about two months in a room of water bottles and milk, but no human interaction?  That would cause an untold amount of scarring. That form of isolation would be destructive and harmful.  Where would the foundation of nurturing come from? What about the language you were trying to learn?  What of the truths and direction you need to govern your way forward?

Having few social connections or interactions may or may not be upsetting to someone, but to many, it will make all the difference. 

In other words, people can be socially isolated and not be lonely. Some people prefer to be by themselves.

What about spiritual isolation? What about not knowing what you have missed, until you realize that you have been distant from that relationship for some time? Yes, you were aware that it did not exist, and maybe even were cold to the fact that you had no affiliation. …until you were made aware.

Similarly, people can feel bad and be spiritually isolated even destitute, even if they have many activities and/or are surrounded by people. This can especially occur when relationships are not emotionally rewarding (connected).

Can this distance be fixed?  Can the distant, isolated and disjointed be reborn ad given hope? YES!

The horticultural and likewise spiritual action is called, grafting. “Grafting” is an agricultural concept known by many as gardening or even being in a nursery. Grafting is used in an environment where living plants, vines and tree saplings can get renewal, hope, vigor and life.

Grafting is the technique that joins two plants together, so they grow as one. The upper (new young and immature) part of the graft is called the scion, and the lower part (old and mature) is called the rootstock.

In short, it works rather simply. The scion becomes the top of the plant (child), and the rootstock becomes the root system (parent). The vascular (relating to anything that affects the vessels, especially those which carry blood - lifeline) tissues of the scion and rootstock must grow together for the graft to be successful.

The new plant that grows from the graft will be identical to the plant it came from.

Here is another look. Loneliness is the feeling of being separate or disconnected from others, regardless of the amount of social contact one has. It is often described as the painful feeling when there is a mismatch or gap between the number and quality of relationships we have and what we would like. Loneliness is a common emotion, and it can come and go or be persistent.

Equally, when we are distant from the Creator, our souls experience the painful feeling that there is a mismatch or gap between the spiritual quality of relationship we were designed to have and what we would like. Spiritual isolation and loneliness are all too common. If left unmet, it can and eventually will cause spiritual destruction.

Consider the term inclusive. It implies the practice of counting in individuals, nations, countries, families and groups who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized. By including them, we are ensuring that diverse individuals feel welcomed, respected, and valued. It emphasizes creating wholesome environments where everyone has equal access to opportunities and resources, especially when it comes to spiritual matters.

Grafting is a common way to propagate the world with the family of GOD. Each one of us are a part of the Vine, if we have chosen to submit and trust the Lord Jesus, by faith.

We are all spiritual plants that do not bode well on our own. We will wither and die if left alone. Biblically, we would be considered “scions”, if you will.

Apart from the Vine of Israel’s GOD, and His Son, we are lifeless and have no eternal hope for life.  Once more, the Bloodline come from the Parent Root and that would be the Creator of the world. He is the Way, Truth, Life, Bloodline and Salvation for all mankind.

The grafted-in believers (Christianity) are not the parents. We get our hope, the Word, lifeline and belief structure from the Original Tree’s Root System.

If the Graft takes, we will be one with that Olive Tree. We learn to live together, and we build a culture of unity. Our vascular systems (bloodlines) have become the same. We must learn to function according to the root system we get our nutrition and lifeblood from. If not, the graft (scion) dies and will be cut off and burned in the fire. If there is no Fruit that derives from the Parent tree, the graft did not work.

The parent strength of the graft can give the scion plant characteristics from the rootstock, such as disease resistance, drought tolerance, or hardiness.

The term "grafting" used in a Biblical context to signify the concept of being "grafted in" to the Tribes of Israel, Jacob’s sons and two grandsons. This is when people, meaning non-Jacob’s sons become part of the Covenant through faith in the GOD if Israel.

This term is primarily used in the New (brit) Testament (Chadash: reborn or renew), particularly in Romans 11, where Paul uses the metaphor of an olive tree to illustrate how Gentiles can be "grafted in" to the Judean people through faith in Yeshua.

In Scripture, grafting is an analogy used to describe the union of believers of the kehillah (body of faithful followers) of Jesus Christ.

“…but if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the Root, but the Root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; 21 for if GOD did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. 22 See then the kindness and severity of GOD: to those who fell, severity, but to you, GOD’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; for otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 ..and they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in; for GOD is able to graft them in again. 24 If you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?” -Romans 11:17-26

“Believers are grafted in among the branches of the olive tree, and share in the nourishing root” -Romans 11:12

“Jesus exhorts faithful believers to "abide" in Him as branches grafted into a Living Vine” -John 15:4-5