In Biblical times, the act of anointing a king with oil was equivalent to crowning him. Prophets were anointed in the same way, as 1 Kings 19 verse 16 reveals. Anointing marked their consecration to the office, it was a sign of their GOD-ordained authority and a means to empower and protect them for the important purpose that awaited. 1 Chronicles 16 verse 22 confirms: “Do not touch my anointed ones. Do my prophets no harm.”
But it’s not just GOD’s chosen leaders that enjoyed the powerful blessings bestowed by means of anointing. Personal anointing was at the order of the day back then and it has stood through the ages as a symbol of GOD’s blessing, provision and abundance.
“You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows,” is the parallel drawn by Psalm 23 verse 5.
This much-loved Psalm starts off with the verse: “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” Having spent a large part of his life tending flocks of sheep, David would have understood the full impact of GOD being described as our SHEPHERD. Interestingly, one of the customs the shepherds of old kept to protect their sheep was to pour oil over their heads. This was mainly used to protect them from insect infestation, creating a slippery slide that affected the invader’s grip.
In John 10 JESUS describes HIMSELF as the “Good SHEPHERD” who lays down HIS life for the sheep. Now, we know that the MESSIAH is not just referred to as the ‘ANOINTED ONE’, but 2 Corinthians 1 verse 21 also teaches us that as believers, we are anointed in CHRIST: “And it is GOD who establishes us with you in CHRIST, and has anointed us, and who has also put HIS seal on us and given us HIS SPIRIT in our hearts as a guarantee.”
Furthermore, the act of anointing is seen as synonymous to being filled with the SPIRIT. Acts 10 verse 38 stands in support: “GOD anointed JESUS of Nazareth with the HOLY SPIRIT and with power.”
This close connection between anointing, the SPIRIT and the MESSIAH brings the end of Noah’s journey on the ark to mind… A dove, which we know is symbolic of the HOLY SPIRIT descending from heaven as JESUS is baptized, would be the means of bringing Noah that olive branch, announcing that it was safe for man to set foot on the earth again. With the MESSIAH being referred to in scripture as a special olive branch that would bring righteousness to the world, it’s like GOD used the symbol of the dove carrying the olive branch to say: ‘By means of my SPIRIT, I will bring the message of JESUS to the world, the message of peace between GOD and man.’ And that message of salvation spreads like a sweet aroma in the Spiritual as we anoint – reiterating the fact that we are made sons of GOD through JESUS and are grafted into the Olive Tree of blessing.
One day we will be co-heirs with CHRIST, and it’s no wonder we need the anointing, the blessing and the protection of GOD on our journey towards our royal heritage. Just as the anointing of the kings of Israel confirmed the calling of GOD on their lives and offered them protection to fulfill that Divine purpose; as anointed ones in CHRIST, there is a calling on our lives and a need for protection too. GOD has a purpose for each our lives and we need HIS anointing in order to fulfill that purpose. “Anoint the shield,” is the instruction of Isaiah 21 verse 5 and it refers to the custom of rubbing oil on the leather of the shield to make it supple and fit for use in war. Our battle is not against flesh and blood, it’s a spiritual battle and we need Spiritual weapons to stay standing, and to fulfill our calling in CHRIST.
How do you pray over anointing oil?
What is Anointing Oil used for?
What anointing oil should I use?
What are the ingredients of anointing oil?
What does it mean to be anointed with oil?
How do you receive the anointing of GOD?
Where does anointing of the sick take place?
What oils are in anointing oil?
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