The Anointing

Exodus 29:1-9

Introduction: I am assuming that most of you have heard the term or expression, anointing or anointed.

I want to take this week and next to share/explain a couple of significant points about what the anointing is, what it means (does or accomplishes), why it’s important, and who are these allowed / graced to be anointed.

Exodus 29:1-9

Psalm 133:1-3

  Psalm 45:7 ‘You love righteousness and hate wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions’. (NKJ)

1 John 2:20 ‘But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things’¹. (NKJ)

Transition: The generic definition of anointing is “to smear or rub with oil, typically as part of a religious ceremony.”

Traditional Daily Use

• Anointing the body or head with oil was a common practice with the Jews, as with other Oriental nations. (Deuteronomy 28:40; Ruth 3:3; Micah 6:15)
• It was used for grooming.
• Refreshment
• Medical treatment
• Burial
• Anointing the head with oil or ointment seems also to have been a mark of respect sometimes paid by a host to his guests (Luke 7:46) and Psalm 23).
  
  

Ceremonial Anointing in the Old Testament

• … was a physical act involving the smearing, rubbing, or pouring of sacred oil on someone’s head (or on an object) as an outward symbol that God had chosen and set apart the person (or object) for a specific holy purpose.

Official capacity

• It was a rite of inauguration into each of the three typical offices of the Jewish commonwealth.
  
  
  • a. Prophets were occasionally anointed to their office (1 Kings 19:16) and were called messiahs or anointed. (1 Chronicles 16:22; Psalms 105:15)
    
    
  • b. Priests, at the first institution of the Levitical priesthood, were all anointed to their offices (Exodus 40:15; Numbers 3:3), but afterward, anointing seems to have been specially reserved for the high priest (Exodus 29:29; Leviticus 16:32), so that “the priest that is anointed,” (Leviticus 4:3) is generally thought to mean the high priest.
    
    
  • c. Kings. Anointing was the principal and divinely-appointed ceremony in the inauguration of the Jewish Kings (1 Samuel 9:16; 10:1; 1 Kings 1:34,39). The rite was sometimes performed more than once. David was thrice anointed. d. Inanimate objects also were anointed with oil, in token of their being set apart for religious service. Thus Jacob anointed a pillar at Bethel (Genesis 31:13; Exodus 30:26-28).
    
    

To be anointed with oil was a sign of being set apart, empowered, or protected.

In the Old Testament, a Deliverer is promised under the title of Messiah, or Anointed (Psalms 2:2; Daniel 9:25,26), and the nature of his anointing is described to be spiritual, with the Holy Ghost (Isaiah 61:1).

Psalm 2:2-3 ‘The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.’ (NKJ)

Isa. 61:1, “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; (Isa 61:1 NKJ)

In the New Testament Jesus of Nazareth is shown to be the Messiah, or Christ or Anointed, of the Old Testament, (John 1:41; Acts 9:22; 17:2,3; 18:4,28) and the historical fact of his being anointed with the Holy Ghost is asserted and recorded. (John 1:32,33; Acts 4:27; 10:38).

Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted¹, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; (NKJ)

Jesus was acknowledging that ‘He had been anointed’

• He was commissioned by God.
• He was favored.
• He was empowered for service.

Jesus is the heavenly anointed, prophet, priest and king!

Transition: Spiritual anointing with the Holy Spirit is also conferred upon Christians by God (2 Corinthians 1:21, ‘Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, (2 Co 1:21 NKJ).

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 ‘Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God’, (2Co 1:21) who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. (1:22 NKJ)

MH – ‘I will further tell you that the anointing of God and the anointed by God are critical to God’s favor, blessing, miracles and successes not just in ministry as prophets and priests, but to everyone in every capacity.

Application: I would say that it would be a good thing to have God’s favor/anointing during a job interview.

I would say it would be good to have God’s favor/anointing when we make major (especially) decisions.

Application: We need anointed pastors, anointed leaders, anointed churches, anointed parents, anointed spouses, and anointed ‘everything’s!’

1 Corinthians 2:4,5 ‘And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human¹ wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, (1Co 2:4 NKJ) that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God’. (NKJ)

Demonstration = apodeixix = a making manifest, showing forth 2) a demonstration, proof

Illustration: Paul understood true/genuine anointing from God would bring truly Godly change and evidence (as opposed to mere tactics / human charisma or methods of man).

The Anointing of God speaks of:

1. An obvious setting aside for ministry/life accompanied by God’s power and or authority.
2. Evidence / Proof of genuine approval by the demonstration (apodeixix).
3. Display of a unique designation from God Himself.

Acts 19:11-17, ‘Paul and Silas we know…’

Conclusion: So, before I teach some on ‘the anointed’ what should we take away today about ‘the anointing?’

MH – “‘The anointing’ is the pouring out or smearing of God’s presence by God himself on someone or something as a sign of consecration, approval, and favor for service and living”.