ANOINTING OIL
“. . . the yoke [of the evil one]
will be destroyed
because of the
anointing oil.”
- Isaiah 10:27
Anointing with Oil was a common Biblical
practice which continues today. In the Bible, people, places and things
were anointed with Holy Oil. The ceremony of “anointing with Holy Oil”
means to make Sacred, to consecrate or to set apart, and dedicate it for use
unto our CREATOR. Yahshua has a triple anointing as Prophet, High Priest,
and King.
YAHWEH instructed Moses how to prepare a
Holy anointing oil, for anointing the Tabernacle, all of the religious objects
used in it, and the priests (Exo.30:23-35; Lev.8:10-13). It was
“compounded according to the art of the perfumer.” Some of the original
ingredients have been lost in time, either because the herbs and spices used in
ancient times have disappeared or corresponding names of today’s herbs and
spices have changed.
The main ingredient is olive oil, which
has both secular and Sacred purposes. The olive tree is very important in
secular life for oil lamps, cooking, etc., and in religious life the Bible
mentions it some 50 times. Pictured on the right, the olive tree has been
a symbol of peace and prosperity since the time the dove returned to Noah’s Ark with an olive
branch. The olive tree “epitomizes the Spirit of the Lord” and for that
reason it was forbidden to cut it down in ancient times.
Today, quality anointing oil is generally made from the finest olive oil, pure
myrrh, and frankincense. It is never-ever compounded on the
Sabbath. And don’t even think about using any synthetic substitutes
(Exo.30:38).
During anointing, the person customarily
knelt while oil was poured or rubbed on the head or forehead. For extra
special anointing, this Rite can be incorporated with the “laying on of hands”
beginning with a kiss or hug (1Sam.10:1), and then ending in a
prayer.
There are three types of Anointing for people:
Sacred, medical and ordinary. The Apostle John writes in 1John 2:27, that
anointing refers to a Sacred spiritual process in which the Holy Spirit
empowers a persons heart and mind with YAHWEH’S truth and love. The
Prophet Isaiah writes 10:27, “. . . the yoke [of the evil one] will be
destroyed because of the anointing oil.” You can anoint yourself by
taking some oil and place a small amount on your forehead and claim YAHWEH’S
promise of HIS strength (Ps.92:10).
Today,
many infant children are sprinkled with water and it is called a
baptism. Technically, it is not a true baptism. Dedicating a child to our
CREATOR and HIS path of righteousness is a good thing. But anointing the child
with oil might be a better spiritual tool. And when that special day arrives,
and dedication ceremony begins, it should be the parents invoking the Rite of
Anointing. Priests should be spiritual coaches, not hired masters of
ceremony.
The Apostle’s went out two by two . . ., and anointed the sick (Ps.23:5;
Mar.6:13). Elders of the church are instructed to anoint the sick for the
purpose of healing (Jam.5:14). The dead are anointed before burial
(Mar.14:3-9).
In the hot dry climate of Judea, a
guest in the home was anointed, partly as a token of honor or esteem, and
partly to moisten the skin after exposure to the elements. Yahshua
accuses Simon of a lack of hospitality by neglecting to anoint the head of one
he had invited to eat with him (Luk.7:46). And it can be used during
times of fasting (Mat.6:17-18).