Thankful for Family

Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways! You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD. The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life! May you see your children's children! Peace be upon Israel! (Psalm 128 ESV). A fruitful vine and olive shoots are the symbols the psalmist uses to declare the blessing of family. The Hebrew word for “olive tree” is es shemen, which literally means “tree of oil.” It is from a primitive root meaning “to shine.” It means “richness, anointing, fat, fruitful, oil, ointment, or olive.” It is related to the word shemesh, “to be brilliant,” and which also is the Hebrew word for the “sun.” Another Hebrew word for “olive” is zayith, meaning “an olive,” as “yielding illuminating oil.” At first glance, the olive tree may seem like any other tree, rather ordinary in appearance and size. Some might say it’s even a little bit “ugly,” and at certain seasons of the year even a little “messy,” with olives littering the ground beneath the tree. The foliage of the olive tree is dense, and when it becomes old the fairly tall trunk acquires a unique pattern of twists and turns, protuberances and knots, on its bark and in its form, giving the tree a very interesting appearance. The Encyclopedia Judaica says, “There are trees in Israel estimated to be 1,000 years old that still produce fruit. In old age the olive tree becomes hollow but the trunk continues to grow thicker, at times achieving a circumference of 20 feet. It is an evergreen, and the righteous who take refuge in the protection of God are compared to it.” Interestingly, if the trunk is cut down, the shoots from its roots continue to grow, ensuring its continued existence. Olive wood is very hard, and beautifully grained. It is very desirable in the manufacture of smaller wooden objects, pieces of furniture, and ornaments. This is the description of what God wants our families to be. Fruitful vines and olive shoots are the desire of God for us! It should not be surprising to any of us that our families are the first target of the devil. I have been blessed enormously through my family. Space and time will not allow me to list all of those blessings today; however, it must be said that in each case God has brought a new blessing through each of them. They are unique and singular in personality, gifts, and characteristics. They are the same in their love and loyalty to our family. Our discussions are always lively and interesting at any gathering. We don’t always agree, though we always line up with one another. I am thankful for family today, and each day. You may not have experienced that blessing. May I encourage you to be the blessing to your family? As you model that attitude it becomes the catalyst for changes that will ultimately bring you such a blessing. Be thankful. Fear the Lord and walk in his ways.