This holy election highlights that the anointed is taken from this fallen world to a new realm where God is King. It is also correct to say the anointed are elected into His family where the character of God is shared with all of His children.

Way over Your Head!

In Exodus 29, there is a very visual description of the anointing of Aaron and his sons. Verse 20 describes how the ear, thumb, and big toe of the right foot of the priest were anointed. In Jewish tradition it is said this procedure reminds the priest he must; listen (ear) to the people, act on their behalf (thumb), and be out among the people (big toe).

Another teaching says ear-thumb-toe anointing was to atone for the part Aaron played in the Golden Calf catastrophe. His “ear” had heard the truth but failed. His “thumb” reminded Aaron that his hands which had been given to serve the Lord were used in this act of idolatry. Finally the “toe” reminds Aaron that his feet had participated in an event that was wrong.

Whatever God intended, both insights underline the importance He places on holiness and righteousness for those who would be His anointed. Before the priests could wear the sacred garments, they went through ritual purification by total immersion in water. As the high priest, Aaron wore the turban with the holy crown on it. The complete ceremony lasted for seven days, including the process of purification, preparation and ordination described in Leviticus 8–9.

The anointing oil was poured over the head of Aaron. “ It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, coming down upon the edge of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon, coming down upon the mountains of Zion; for there the LORD commanded the blessing—life forever ” (Ps. 133:2–3).

As is always the case, Hebrew communicators choose visual illustrations to teach. This one chooses Mount Hermon the majestic, often snow-capped mountain in Israel. The anointing with oil is like the dew of Hermon. It runs down over the head of Aaron, into and through his beard and onto his sacred, priestly garments. Quite a picture!

However, this moment is meant to be more than a visual. It goes much deeper. Yeshua (Jesus) referred to this kind of anointing with oil when He said, “ You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume ” (Luke 7:46). Moses was instructed by the Lord to anoint and consecrate Aaron and his sons (Exod. 30:30). The purpose for the anointing was specific— “that they may minister as priests to Me .” Their role was to be “set apart.” They were called by God to minister, but they first needed His anointing.

Kings and prophets were also anointed. God gave a clear instruction to Elijah: “ The LORD said to him, ‘Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus, and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place ’” (1 Kings 19:15–16).

Prophets were often recognized with physical anointing, which affirmed what was happening in their lives spiritually. They were sometimes called "messiahs" or the anointed ones. When the ark of God was brought into the tent David prepared, a very sacred time followed. In the exhortation that followed came this: “ Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm ” (1 Chron. 16:22).

In what is called ecclesiatical anointing, things were set apart, or anointed, for religious service. (See Gen 31:13; Exod. 30:26–28.) Ruth was told to anoint herself. "Wash yourself therefore, and anoint yourself, put on your best clothes,” Naomi said (Ruth 3:3). This was when Naomi wanted Ruth to make a good impression on Boaz. She instructed Ruth not to paint herself in the way of a Jezebel but rather dress in her best clothes and visit with Boaz in a right and proper way. Though this instruction is given to make a good physical presence, it reminds us how we should be prepared in our hearts to meet with God spiritually.

In the New Testament, we find another purpose for anointing. The apostles applied the anointing oil when they prayed for the sick: " And they were casting out many demons, and anointed with oil many sick people and healing them ” (Mark 6:13

Spiritual Anointing

It is from the physical that we can so easily understand the spiritual application. Let us consider spiritual anointing. There is a powerful Scripture, which is closely connected to the preaching of Yeshua: “ THE SPIRIT of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound ” (Isa. 61:1; Luke 4:18, Amplified).

It is hard to bypass Matthew Henry’s commentary on these passages. He wrote: “ The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. All the gifts and graces of the Spirit were conferred upon him, not by measure, as upon other prophets, but without measure. He now came in the power of the Spirit. Secondly, he was commissioned: Because he had anointed me, and sent me. His extraordinary qualification amounted to a commission; his being anointed signifies both his being fitted for the undertaking and called to it. Those whom God appoints to any service he anoints for it: ‘Because he hath sent me, he hath sent his Spirit along with me.’ Thirdly, what his work was. He was qualified and commissioned.”

Yeshua had the fullness of the Spirit in His anointing, and we walk in dispensations given as He provides. The important fact is clear. It is the Spirit of the Lord which anoints and qualifies His people for Kingdom living. Yeshua was anointed as Prophet, Priest, and King. “ John testified saying, ‘I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, “He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit ”’” (John 1:32–33).

Acts 4:27 describes how Herod and Pontius Pilate were “…gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed.. .” The importance of anointing for all of us was emphasized by the Apostle Paul: “ Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge ” (2 Cor. 1:21–22). So we are anointed. We are also “sealed” says Paul. In that Pauline era, without a seal, no document was regarded as authentic. It is the seal of the Spirit, which gives us His authority. By the power of God, we are anointed and sanctified by Him as kings and priests unto Him.

Lessons from the Oil’s Ingredients

Oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. The word “symbol” comes from the Greek sym, which means “together” and ballein, which means “to throw.” To be “thrown together” indicates an object used to represent something else. How then does oil qualify to be a symbol of the Holy Spirit?

We search the Amplified Bible to find this clue: “ Moreover, the Lord said to Moses, ‘Take the best spices: of liquid myrrh 500 shekels, of sweet-scented cinnamon half as much, 250 shekels, of fragrant calamus 250 shekels, and of cassia 500 shekels, in terms of the sanctuary shekel, and of olive oil a hin. And you shall make of these a holy anointing oil, a perfume compounded after the art of the perfumer; it shall be a sacred anointing oil ’” (Exod. 30:22–25).

First of all, the Lord insisted on “the best spices.” These were costly, rare, and valuable. There were four spices—myrrh, cinnamon, calamus (or cane), and cassia—plus a hin of olive oil, thus, five ingredients. The number five speaks of grace. We will not earn the anointing by personal effort. It actually becomes ours the more we surrender. God is full of favor and grace. In our weaknesses, we can stand in victory over the enemy because He is faithful to His Kingdom family.

God was very meticulous with this recipe for anointing oil. It could not be used for any other purpose. It was set apart for Temple use only. Let’s consider the significance of each of these ingredients.

Myrrh

The name “myrrh” is from the Hebrew for “bitter.” It is used today in healing salves. In ancient times, it was greatly valued for perfume and incense and was worth more than its weight in gold. So myrrh speaks to us of fragrance which is bitter to taste.

It has healing ingredients and so when applied as an ingredient of the anointing of the believer, it represents cleansing and purification. It is an ingredient of purification: “ I indeed baptize you in (with) water because of repentance [that is, because of your changing your minds for the better, heartily amending your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins]. But He Who is coming after me is mightier than I, Whose sandals I am not worthy or fit to take off or carry; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire ” (Matt. 3:11, Amplified).

Being anointed by God is not just a mountain top experience. There is also a process of fire and purification which we all experience. His fire does not destroy us, but by His grace, He works on a continuous process of purification: “ So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work ” (2 Tim. 2:21, Amplified).

We must not fear purification, but we must get right with God. After all, the Holy Spirit is our comforter, and we will find great uplifting solace and encouragement in Him no matter what cleansing process is required. The very thing we may rebuke as a work of the enemy, may be that God-given opportunity for us to deal with our heart—our prejudice and agenda—and be cleansed.

Here’s an interesting factor. When burned, myrrh does not melt or liquefy, but rather expands and blooms. The scent of burning myrrh is vanilla-like. In ancient times, it was burned at funerals to nullify the smell of death. Isn’t it interesting that an item with such attributes is part of the anointing oil?

Cinnamon

Wikipedia, the Internet encyclopedia, says: “Cinnamon has been known from remote antiquity, and it was so highly prized among ancient nations that it was regarded as a gift fit for monarchs and other great potentates.” It was a valuable spice. To acquire cinnamon required sacrifice.

God has a call on our lives, which requires sacrifice. You must determine that your relationship with the Lord is more valuable than anything else you may choose. You cannot settle for that which is just good. Strive in your walk with the Lord for the best. To be anointed may cost you—your home, your friends, your career. This is the price of obtaining the fragrance of the cinnamon. “ For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it? ” (Luke 14:28).

I recently attended the United Christian Broadcasters World Congress held in Pretoria, South Africa. On the very last day, Carl Roos, an outstanding motivational speaker asked, “Who is the navigator of your life?” Many answered Jesus or the Holy Spirit. Roos said, “You are the navigator of your life. It is your choices that decide your success.” Have you made your choices? Have you counted the cost? The fragrance of the cinnamon is costly, but it’s a price worthy of your sacrifices.

Calamus

Calamus (or cane) is described as a big, smelly plant with sword-shaped leaves and small yellow/green flowers. It grows to about ten feet in height. To extract its essence, calamus must be broken and crushed. Then it unleashes a sweet fragrance. Do you know what this means? The more the calamus is crushed, the more the fragrance comes.

“ But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word ” (Isa. 66:2b). To be contrite in Hebrew is to be smitten. I think most of us know what it is to be broken before the Lord. Many walk in a constant process of brokenness. That may seem to be humble and submissive, but is that what the Lord expects from His people?

Consider Mark 14:3: “ And while He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head. ” The woman had filled a flask with valuable perfume ready to anoint her groom on their wedding day. She chose to anoint Yeshua instead. To do that, she had to break the flask. Brokenness is the process by which we give ourselves to the Lord. This lady gave the Lord the most precious item she had. Out of her sacrifice came forth great fragrance in her relationship with Him.

So deal with those things the Lord reveals to your heart, but get on with the “joy of your salvation.” Don’t stay in brokenness all your life. Please take these Scriptures very seriously. “ We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body ” (2 Cor. 4:8–10).

So cinnamon speaks of fragrance, but it does not come cheaply. It cost Yeshua His life on Calvary, and it will cost you your life in this world. In return, you will know the fragrance of the Lord.

Cassia

Today, in the USA and Canada, most of that which is sold as cinnamon is actually cassia. The two are closely related. The Hebrew word for cassia is from the root word quadad,, which means “to bend, to bow, or to stoop.” It’s appropriate to say those who enjoy the anointing of the Lord have bowed, humbly before Him. “ For this cause make yourselves low under the strong hand of God, so that when the time comes you may be lifted up ” (1 Pet. 5:6, Bible in Basic English).

We have an enemy who seeks to destroy the anointing. If we grasp the simple truth that anointing means being bathed in the presence of God, it is not hard to understand the enemy seeks to contaminate that experience. The enemy brings down churches and destroys ministers and ministries. He seeks to quench the Spirit of the Lord. He often comes at us with pride and arrogance, which resists the Lord and His anointing oil. Cassia reminds us that we must come to the King and bow before Him.

“ But the LORD, who brought you up from the land of Egypt with great power and with an outstretched arm, Him you shall fear, and to Him you shall bow yourselves down, and to Him you shall sacrifice ” (2 Kings 17:36). “ Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker ” (Ps. 95:6). This is not a position of weakness. It is one of submission to the Creator of the Universe. He gives us the anointing to crush Satan under our feet. “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you” (Rom. 16:20).

Olive

We have seen the olive presses throughout Israel, those heavy stones that press the olives until oil is extracted by pressure. We’ve seen how the oil is channeled into vats. The lesson of the olive press is very evident. Yeshua was tested in the wilderness. There He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and Satan tempted Him (Matt. 4:1–11). It was after this testing that Yeshua came out of the desert and began His ministry. How have you stood the time of trial and testing? Have you allowed the Lord to put Satan under your feet?

After that initial trial, comes the next phase of the anointing. There is another price to be paid. To go to the next level, the Lord will have to be first in your life. When you have chosen this step, the olive oil comes to bring the Lord’s blending process. “ You shall make of these a holy anointing oil, a perfume mixture, the work of a perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil” (Exod. 30:25).

To experience the Lord’s anointing means we do not seek our own importance; we do not resort to gimmicks or stunts. In Exodus 30:22, God said He will not pour His anointing on man’s flesh. So if we seek a ministry for our self-importance, it will fail. “ Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation ” (Ps. 24:3–5). Our heart’s desire is that we achieve the Lord’s purpose.

I pray we can all reach the heights of the beloved psalmist and say as he shared in Psalm 92:10, “ I have been anointed with fresh oil .”

For a color PDF version of this article click here : Color PDF Version

By Ron Ross
Israel Mosaic Radio
Bridges for Peace

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