EMPOWERING LIVES WITH PURPOSE:
OIL
Oil, particularly “anointing oil,” is a symbol of God’s presence, blessing, and the Holy Spirit. It is used for consecration, healing, and setting apart for His service. I never realized the significance of oil until I took a deeper dive into God’s Word.
God instructed Moses to create a sacred anointing oil to consecrate the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priests, signifying their dedication to God’s service.
(Exodus 30:22-30)
Oil was used to anoint kings, signifying their authority and God’s blessing upon them (1 Samuel 10:1, 16:13).
Oil can also be a symbol of the Holy Spirit of God. Here are some scriptures you can read that reflect it: Isaiah 44:3, Ezekiel 39:29, Joel 2:28, and Zechariah 12:10. These show God’s impartation of His Spirit in the pouring of oil.
As I shared this scripture this morning in Empowering Lives With Purpose, Psalm 23:5, David says, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Yes! Oil can also be used for healing and protection.
Here is a recipe for the sacred anointing oil used in the Book of Exodus. It includes spices like myrrh, cinnamon, calamus, and cassia, which you can find on Amazon. These ingredients were found according to the sanctuary shekel and a hint of olive oil.
In James 5:14, the elders of the church were instructed to anoint the sick with oil in the name of the Lord, suggesting the oil’s role in healing and prayer for recovery.
Oil continues to be a symbol of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament, representing God’s power and presence in our lives as believers. Oil in the Bible is a powerful symbol of God’s presence, blessing, and consecration. As believers and for various purposes, we can use it to anoint for healing or setting apart for service unto God and more.