The Purposes of Anointing It is important to notice that when the Bible expresses that anointing is taking place, it does not always relate to exactly the same thing every time. In the Old Testament there were various anointings. In each case, the anointing is a good thing, but each instance does not always indicate the same purpose or "fullness" of operation. In the example of Saul, he was anointed to be King of Israel indicating choice and God's blessing of provision to fulfill that office. A spiritual phenomenon accompanied that anointing, as we saw Saul prophesying under the power of God. Certainly this was related to the act of anointing Saul. In 2 Chronicles 22:7, God explains that Jehu had been anointed to "cut off the house of Ahab". There is no record of accompanying spiritual phenomenon, though it is likely that the touch of God also brought personal spiritual experience to Jehu. The symbolic anointing and its spiritual counterpart is demonstrated in scripture as being mainly a choosing and equipping of individuals to fulfill the will of God. What specific purposes does God fulfill by the anointing, according to scripture? One means of examining the purpose of the anointing is identify the uses of the oil, which symbolizes the special operation of God: The Oil Source of Energy Light and Heat from the oil of the olive tree. Nothing put the crunch on America like the "oil crisis" of the 1970's. Without a source of energy, widespread problems are experienced. Oil represents a power, and a lasting source of strength. An emulsion: basis for paints and surfacing to be applied to a unfinished body When the character of a material is to be changed, oil serves as a medium for matching the otherwise incompatible substances. What a wonderful illustration of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost! Lubricant: to get between distinct surfaces to prevent tension So important to prevent damage to machinery, but even to wrestler's skin, and those exposed to harsh environments. Notice that the Holy Ghost experience today likewise mediates and smooths the interface between the absolutely holiness of Deity and the frailness of humanity. One who is intoxicated is sometimes said to be "well oiled." Fragrance: hair oils, body oils As a remedy for the commonness of life, oils provide relief of irritation, enhancement of beauty, luxury, and are sold as health aids. Currency Biblically: palm oil, olive oil. Consider the saying "Grease [or oil] my palm" A Remedy: balm, balsam oil Oil soothes the skin, and provides lasting moisture. You have seven layers of skin. If through sustained dry conditions, these die and flake off, one after another, the result will be a raw wound, and a treat to life itself. A cooking essential The offerings were baked with oil. The oil enriches and gives substance to a dish. Salad without oil is just vegetable leaves. In summary, the Bible teaches that the anointing empowers, enlightens, mediates, corrects, facilitates, enriches, heals, and transforms. Each purpose of the anointing, in and through the Old Testament pertains to something good and virtuous. However, it cannot be concluded that the anointing is illustrative of one and only one ultimate reality in the New Testament. God may anoint to accomplish a limited, temporal purpose, and God may anoint to fulfill a deep and profound purpose. The verb "to anoint" represents God doing virtuous and wonderful things with man, but the specific depth and purpose may vary. The anointing is for…. God's desires to accomplish various things in the lives of men and women. Wherever God wants to personally touch a person and change their life in any way, one can say that God desires to anoint them. The anointing may be for one or many of the following: Selection God is the Father in creation of all mankind, and through Jesus Christ, He is the Spiritual Father of all of the family of God. But, individuals may be chosen by the divine purpose and wisdom of God for unique and special purposes or operations. The anointing is the way in which God makes divine selections, promotes, and honors an individual among many. Consecration & Sanctification In Numbers 7, the tabernacle with all its regalia, instruments, vessels and furniture, was consecrated by anointing. Exodus 28:41 calls the anointing of the sons of Aaron to be their consecration. When the High Priest is anointed by pouring oil upon his head in Leviticus 21:12, it was given as cause that he should remain undefiled. Furthermore, the oil is referred to as a "crown". For Appointment As in Leviticus 6:22: "And the priest of his sons that is anointed in his stead shall offer it: it is a statute for ever unto the LORD; it shall be wholly burnt." The public and ceremonial Seating of a King 1 Samuel 10:1 - Then Samuel the prophet too a vial of oil and poured it upon his head and kissed him and said, Is it not because the Lord hath anointed thee to be a captain over his inheritance. (read from 10:5-11). The sons of Aaron were anointed David was anointed Joshua was anointed Children of God as seated as princes with Jesus Christ having a great inheritance of spiritual position and authority 2 Cor 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God. WHO ALSO HAS SEALED US, AND GIVEN US THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT IN OUR HEARTS. Because .. "God, who is rich in mercy for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace are ye saved;) and hath raised us up together and made us sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: ... for by grace are ye saved through faith. If one is going to have a place in the Kingdom of Heaven, he must be anointed! Healing Matt 8:16, Matt 12:15, Luke 6:9: Jesus (anointed of God per Luke 4:18 and Isa 61:1) healed ALL that came to him. James 5:14: Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if they have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. The touch of Jesus Christ can heal. To be near to God is to be privileged, to stand on Holy Ground in the presence of majesty. God is not a God who delights in keeping the sick in his household. When Jesus came through town in his last days in Jerusalem, the people heard His name, and came out to be healed. There is an anointing for healing For ability and power To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me. - 1 Sam 9:16 People are anointed to Serve or Minister Lead Do the work of God: "And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch". - Acts 5:12 For blessing " But the anointing which you have received of Him abideth in you, and you have need not that any man should teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, you shall abide in him" - 1 John 2:27 The world and the enemy would like to have people in a quandary. But remember what (Jn 16:13) Jesus said "When He the Spirit of Truth hath come, he will guide you into all truth." What or who is the Spirit of Truth? The Holy Ghost! God wants to anoint every individual, and everyone should WANT to be anointed of God! And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave [it] unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease. … And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, [and] that the LORD would put his spirit upon them! - Numbers 11:25-29 Move to page 3 More Bible Study Lessons