The church is compared to an olive tree upon many occasions, (Jeremiah 11:16; Psalms 52:8) and the young converts in Zion to olive branches. (Psalms 128:3) And Paul in a beautiful figure, represents the state of conversion from nature to grace by the change from the olive tree which is wild, by nature, to that of a true olive tree, which is planted by grace. (Romans 11:17-36)
I must not dismiss this subject without first remarking the allusions made by men in general to the olive branch, as an emblem of peace. It is more than probable that this took its rise from the circumstance of Noah's dove in the ark, when from being sent forth to discover whether the waters of the flood had subsided at length returned with the olive-branch in her mouth. The raven he dismissed found means of subsistence in going to and fro, probably from the carcases of those drowned; but the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot until returning to the ark. It is so with God's people; hence they are said to come as "doves to their windows." And it is remarkable, that when the Psalmist saith, (Psalms 116:7) "Return unto thy rest, O my soul!" the original is, Return unto thy Noah, thy Christ; for he is the rest wherewith the Lord causeth the weary to rest. The olive branch in the mouth of the dove is a token of peace. God will no more destroy the earth by a flood. The ark is a type of Jesus, through whom and in whom God is at peace, in the blood of his cross. (See Isaiah 28:12)