Article March 20, 1976 Issue

"...thy children like olive plants"

JEAN T. BOWMAN

The Psalms employ beautiful teaching metaphors. They are meaningful when Christian Science shows the immediacy, relevancy, and healing power of the truth underlying the metaphorical message. Psalm 128 tells of the ideal family, wherein "thy children [are] like olive plants round about thy table." Ps. 128:3;

In Bible times a fully productive olive plant resulted from some seventeen or eighteen years of ceaseless cultivation and tending. One could know if the land were at peace or war by its olive orchards; if cared for, they were a sign of peace in the land; if neglected, of war! When the plants grew untended and wild, they yielded an inedible fruit. It is not unusual, then, for the Psalmist to use "olive plants" to describe children who are obedient to God's commandments as a result of their parents' spiritual training.

For some time a twentieth-century mother despaired for her son. Her prayers and those of Christian Science practitioners seemed to bring no surcease from the rebellion and disobedience he expressed. Poor motivation to be or do good resulted in bad grades in school and inharmony in the home.

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