LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
The Oil of God
Oil has multiple uses in the Scriptures, and all of them are representative of the Holy Spirit: for offerings, for anointing, for giving light, for healing; it is a symbol of honor, joy and prosperity.
Oil occupied a prominent place among the first fruits offered; flour offerings were often mixed with oil. The holy anointing oil was made from selected spices; its formula was secret, and no one could use it for profane purposes. With this oil the utensils of the tabernacle and the priests who ministered there were anointed. If a stranger was anointed, he died immediately.
Thus, God's anointing fell only on the priests, those who ministered before God. This is also the case today. Only the children of God -priests in the New Covenant- have this anointing, and its presence in them distinguishes and honors them. Kings, like David, were also anointed with oil, and with it the Spirit of God came upon the chosen one, granting him wisdom and shield.
But oil was also used for the candlestick and the lamps. Its function? To illuminate the house of God. Without oil there is no light. Without the Spirit there is no light either. The church can become a dark place, where impurities are not discovered, if the Holy Spirit is not illuminating the heart.
It was customary in Israel at the time of the New Testament, that whoever carried an oil lamp also carried a small container of oil; thus the lamp could be recharged at any time. The foolish virgins in the parable had a problem: they had just enough oil for their lamps, and the container for the reserve oil was empty. But at the decisive moment, it was lacking, and they were left in darkness, so they could not go out to meet the bridegroom. We know that this parable is for the time of the end. What is our condition today?
Oil was also used in the purification of lepers, and for the healing of the sick. Isaiah 1:6 says: "From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in him, but a wound, and a swelling, and a rotten sore: they are not healed, neither bound up, neither mollified with oil". With these words, the prophet makes a diagnosis of the reality of Israel in his days. They are full of wounds and sores, they are totally sick. There has been no oil to cure the diseases of their skin. What a desolate panorama!
In the church of God, when the Spirit cannot work as oil, wounds abound. The healing ointment has not been poured upon the festering "wounds". The condition of the church, and even its appearance, seems very deteriorated. What to do? Turn to the Spirit and release Him to heal the wounds, and bind them up. It takes a great deal of oil to heal the wounds of God's people.