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The Story of Anointing OilIn the Bible, Anointing Oil is a symbol of being set apart by the Holy Spirit for special purpose in God's kingdom. Oil is first used in this manner in Genesis 28:18 when the Patriarch Jacob used it to pour over the stone he had used as a pillow then set up as a pillar to the Lord. The Hebrew word "anoint" actually means "to rub or to smear." In the Old Testament, it was most often used as a setting apart of people or objects for the exclusive use of God. Aaron and his sons, King Saul, King David and others were anointed with oil. The tent of meeting and all its vessels were anointed and all of these under the direction of God Himself. This anointing symbolized their empowerment by the Holy Spirit to fulfill a special assignment by God and reaches it's completeness in Jesus, the Messiah, or Anointed One set apart to the office of King and Priest to bring salvation to all people. What about the fragrances?Why is a fragrance added to Every Good Gift Anointing Oils? First of all, the Lord Himself instructed Moses to add spices and fragrances to the sacred anointing oil to be used to anoint Aaron, his sons and the tent of meeting in the wilderness. Then, in tracing fragrance through the Bible, we see the Lord require the priests to burn fragrant incense continually in the Holy Place. In Pslam 45 we read that garments of THE ANOINTED are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia-scholars believe this to represent none other than Jesus Himself. 2 Corinthians.Perhaps the most significant references to fragrance however, are found in 2 Corinthians 2 verses 14 and 16, "But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him." Then in verse 16, "To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life." Definition of Fragrant.It is also interesting to note the Strong's definitions of the words fragrance and fragrant. The word fragrance, as used in Exodus 30:38 for example comes from the word 'ruwach' which has its root in 'blow' or 'breathe' and carries with it the implications of anticipation and enjoyment. And the word fragrant brings the idea of “fumigation in a close place and thus driving out the occupants.” We love this definition. It paints a picture of what happens to the occupants of the kingdom of darkness when the children of God bring the fragrance of life into a situation. It sounds very much like what happens when we spray for bugs and insects at home, doesn't it? As our Lord always does, He blesses not only the anointed one, but also the person imparting the oil as we see in the accounts of the Good Samaritan and the woman who anointed the feet of Jesus. May the Lord richly bless you as you use and learn about anointing oil. |
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