Holy Anointing Oil שֶׁ֥מֶן מִשְׁחַת־קֹ֖דֶשׁ

We are in chapter thirty of Exodus with our word for today. שֶׁ֥מֶן מִשְׁחַת־קֹ֖דֶשׁ sacred anointing oil, holy anointing oil. It is used 4 times in the Old Testament, 3 times in our chapter. The phrase שֶׁ֧מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָ֛ה the anointing oil is used 3 times each time referring to this same holy anointing oil. We know this from the context. Here are those uses. Exodus 29:21 Then you shall take part of the blood that is on the altar, וּמִשֶּׁ֣מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָה֒ and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments, and on his sons and his sons' garments with him. He and his garments shall be holy, and his sons and his sons' garments with him. Exodus 31:6, 11 And behold, I have appointed … able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you … and שֶׁ֧מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָ֛ה the anointing oil and the fragrant incense for the Holy Place. According to all that I have commanded you, they shall do. Exodus 40:9 Then you shall take שֶׁ֣מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָ֔ה the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it, and consecrate it and all its furniture, so that it may become holy. I find it interesting that all six of these uses are all found in the book of Exodus. Let’s look at the 4 uses of our phrase starting in our chapter since it has 3 of them. Exodus 30:25, 31 The Lord said to Moses, “Take the finest spices: of liquid myrrh 500 shekels, and of sweet-smelling cinnamon half as much, that is, 250, and 250 of aromatic cane, and 500 of cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hin of olive oil. And you shall make of these a שֶׁ֚מֶן מִשְׁחַת־קֹ֔דֶשׁ sacred anointing oil blended as by the perfumer; it shall be a שֶׁ֥מֶן מִשְׁחַת־קֹ֖דֶשׁholy anointing oil … And you shall say to the people of Israel, ‘This shall be my שֶׁ֠מֶן מִשְׁחַת־קֹ֨דֶשׁ holy anointing oil throughout your generations. The fourth use of our phrase is a reference when it was made. Exodus 37:29 He made שֶׁ֤מֶן הַמִּשְׁחָה֙ קֹ֔דֶשׁ the holy anointing oil also, and the pure fragrant incense, blended as by the perfumer. This special set a part oil was used to anoint the tent of meeting, the ark of the testimony and all the other special items involved in the tabernacle worship. This action was to set them apart for special use for the worship of God. As believers in Christ we are set apart for God’s work by the Holy Spirit that God gives us. Here are some examples. Acts 13:2-3 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. Ephesians 1:4 He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. I’ll close with Jesus great prayer. John 17:16-19 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.