The Anointing

“We loose our joy when we do things for God’s approval,
rather than doing things from God’s approval.”
Pastor Dave Hess
Christ Community Church


The Anointing:

Do you know some Arabs in East Africa

anoint themselves with the fat of a lion so as to gain courage?

The butter from the milk of a cow

is used for anointing in the Hindu world, where the cow is sacred.

The English word “anoint” is derived from the French enoint,

which means “smeared on.”

Most times the application had a medical or healing application.
From the earliest days, the Hebrews were anointers.

In contrast to some forms of anointing,

which may be seen as based on superstition,

the Hebrews anointed priests and kings in obedience to the commands of God.

We travel back to Aaron to begin our search.

Aaron and his sons were set apart to be priests.

Aaron was the first high priest.

He was known as “the anointed priest” (Leviticus. 4:3).

Aaron was anointed with oil poured on his head (Leviticus. 8:12).

This physical anointing is described as an act of consecration.

For Aaron and his sons

the Hebrew word qadhesh meant “to be set apart” or “to be holy.”

This is what consecration means.

It is to be set apart as vessels of God’s anointing and gifting.

This holy election highlights, that the anointed is taken

from this fallen world to a new realm where God is King.

It is also correct to say the anointed are elected into His family

where the character of God is shared with all of His children.

In Exodus 29, there is a very visual description of the anointing of Aaron and his sons.

Verse 20 describes how the ear, thumb, and big toe of the right foot of the priest were anointed. In Jewish tradition it is said this procedure reminds the priest he must;

listen (ear) to the people,

act on their behalf (thumb),

and be out among the people (big toe).

Another teaching says ear-thumb-toe anointing

was to atone for the part Aaron played in the Golden Calf catastrophe.

His “ear” had heard the truth but failed.

His “thumb” reminded Aaron that his hands

which had been given to serve the Lord were used in this act of idolatry.

Finally the “toe” reminds Aaron that his feet had participated in an event that was wrong.

Whatever God intended, both insights underline the importance He places

on holiness and righteousness for those who would be His anointed.

Before the priests could wear the sacred garments,

they went through ritual purification by total immersion in water.

As the high priest, Aaron wore the turban with the holy crown on it.

The complete ceremony lasted for seven days, including the process of purification,

preparation and ordination described in Leviticus 8–9.
The anointing oil was poured over the head of Aaron.

“ It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard,

even Aaron's beard, coming down upon the edge of his robes.

It is like the dew of Hermon, coming down upon the mountains of Zion;

for there the LORD commanded the blessing—life forever ” (Psalms 133:2–3).

As is always the case, Hebrew communicators choose visual illustrations to teach.

This one chooses Mount Hermon the majestic, often snow-capped mountain in Israel.

The anointing with oil is like the dew of Hermon.

It runs down over the head of Aaron, into and through his beard

and onto his sacred, priestly garments. Quite a picture!
However, this moment is meant to be more than a visual.

It goes much deeper.

Yeshua (Jesus) referred to this kind of anointing with oil when He said,

“ You did not anoint My head with oil,

but she anointed My feet with perfume ” (Luke 7:46).

Moses was instructed by the Lord to anoint and consecrate Aaron and his sons (Exodus 30:30). The purpose for the anointing was specific— “that they may minister as priests to Me .”

Their role was to be “set apart.”

They were called by God to minister, but they first needed His anointing.

The picture of Aaron’s anointing also depicts the anointing upon the Church of Jesus Christ.

It is noteworthy that the anointing flows from the high priest’s head to his body.

It is an illustration of the High Priest (Jesus Christ) the anointed Head

allowing the anointing to flow to the Body of Christ.

So we as Aaron have been called to be consecrated

and set apart for the Master’s use.
The Word of the Lord is eternal, it stands firm in the heavens

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