Year of the supernatural

“Definition, purpose, ingredients and measurement of the anointing oil, part 2.”

The anointing (Part Two)

“Definition, purpose, ingredients and measurement of the anointing oil, part 2.”

The characteristic of the anointing Exodus 30 vs 22-33: Moreover the lord spoke to Moses, saying “Also take for yourself quality spices-five hundred shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much sweet-smelling cinnamon (two hundred and fifty shekels), two hundred and fifty shekels of sweet-smelling cane.

“Five hundred shekels of cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hint of olive oil.

“And you shall make from these a holy anointing oil, an ointment compounded according to the art of the perfumer. It shall be a holy anointing oil.

With it you shall anoint the tabernacle of meeting and the ark of the Testimony. The table and all its utensils, the lampstand and its utensils, and the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the laver and its base.

“You shall consecrate them, that they may be most holy, whatever touches them must be holy.  And you shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister to me as priests. You shall speak to the children of Israel, saying, this shall be a holy anointing oil to me throughout your generations.

“It shall not be poured on man’s flesh, nor shall you make any other like it according to its composition. It is holy, and it shall be holy to you. Whoever compounds any like it, or whoever puts any of it on an outsider, shall be cut off from his people.”

The Old Testament describes how sacred oil was used to anoint God’s people for ministry and to consecrate his vessels for worship.

Everything the oil was applied to, whether it was the priesthood, the vessels, or the worship instruments – was considered holy, set aside, and consecrated for service.

The anointing oil was never to be put on that which was unclean or unholy.

The five fold anointing

The Lord gave Moses a detailed recipe for the anointing oil. It consisted of five ingredients: Myrrh,

Sweet cinnamon,

Sweet calamus,

Cassia,

Olive oil.

These ingredients were valuable and rare all with a unique quality, fragrance and aroma.  Each of these ingredients, pointed forward to the person of the Lord Jesus as well as to the holy spirit manifested through him.

Myrrh This ingredient symbolises the suffering of Jesus on the cross.  It is purifying in its application and very costly.

Myrrh has a sweet fragrance but has a very bitter taste.  It is a symbol of love and signifies the death of Jesus.

The bitterness of the myrrh suggests the reality of Christ’s suffering on the cross. His act of love for sinners is the sweet fragrance offered to God. Myrrh points to the outpouring of Christ’s love in a bitter but fragrant death.

Sweet cinnamon This ingredient symbolises the sweetness of grace in a believer’s life.  The odour of cinnamon is sweet and its taste agreeable and is legally used for flavouring.

Sweet calamus Calamus is a sweet cane plant. When it is crushed and broken, it releases a sweet fragrance.  The more it is broken, the more fragrance is released.

In its spiritual application, calamus speaks of brokenness. This ingredient represents government and divine order, or the extended rule of divine anointing.  

It symbolises the resurrection of Jesus Christ and his kingdom rule.  It also represents the resurrection of Jesus. Calamus points to God’s uprightness and righteousness in a world full of sin and wickedness.

Cassia Cassia is derived from a Hebrew root word meaning to bend, bow, or to stoop in worship.  Cassia in the anointing compound represents true humility of those who bow down before the mighty hand of God.

Cassia foreshadows man’s submission to and worship of God.  This ingredient as traded in Tyre.  Egypt, like Tyre represents the world.   Satan is presented as the king of Tyre.  One of his main purpose is to rob Christ of our worship.

Olive oil Olive oil is a symbol of the holy spirit.  It activates and releases the ingredients that have been mixed, ensuring that they flow together. These different ingredients of the anointing oil represent the differences in ministries.

Olive oil is the ingredient that bound all other four ingredients together.  It is produced by the pressing of olives, signifying the spirit of God flowing out though the pressure of Christ’s death.

Five-fold measure of the anointing

Weight The myrrh in the anointing oil was measured by weight.

This speaks of the glory of God, the weightiness of His presence, influence, and power in the life of a believer.

Length Sweet calamus was used as a measuring rod to measure length.

This speaks of territory, sphere and boundaries.   Although, much prayer is offered for territory to be enlarged, the only key to seeing on increase and enlargement in one’s sphere of influence is the anointing of the holy spirit.

Capacity Olive oil is measured by capacity. This speaks of volume, magnitude, ability and use. The gifts and abilities the Lord has given to believers are designed for the edification of the church.

Quantity Each ingredient is to be mixed in careful proportions to maintain its integrity and authenticity in accordance with God’s recipe  specifications of the anointing.

There are many imitations that have the same ingredients but are not in the same proportions as the true anointing.

This could speak of a divine balance between knowledge, understanding, wisdom, counsel, and might.  Some imitations may be so close that only God could tell the difference.  That is why it is sometimes difficult to expose false brethren.

Quality The compounded ingredients had to be made from quality spices. The anointing is to be respected because it is precious and priceless.

Five-fold traits of the anointing

Beaten The anointing oil was beaten from olives.  This speaks of the flesh that must die.

Fresh The anointing oil had to be fresh and new for use, representing fresh anointing or a fresh outpouring of God’s spirit.

Perfumed The anointing oil was a perfumed mixture, representing the fragrance of Christ.

Mixed The spices in the anointing oil were mixed and compounded together.

This represents the mixture and diversity of the gifts by the same spirit.

Pure The anointing oil had to be pure, representing the holy spirit flowing through lives that are pure before the Lord.

1 John 2 vs 20: But you have an anointing from the holy one, and you know all things.  Isaiah 10 vs 27: It shall come to pass in that day that his burden will be taken away from your shoulder, his yoke from your neck, the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil.