Exodus 30:22-33 22 The Lord said to Moses, 23 “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, 24 and 500 of cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hin of olive oil. 25 And you shall make of these a sacred anointing oil blended as by the perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil. 26 With it you shall anoint the tent of meeting and the ark of the testimony, 27 and the table and all its utensils, and the lampstand and its utensils, and the altar of incense, 28 and the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils and the basin and its stand. 29 You shall consecrate them, that they may be most holy. Whatever touches them will become holy. 30 You shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. 31 And you shall say to the people of Israel, ‘This shall be my holy anointing oil throughout your generations. 32 It shall not be poured on the body of an ordinary person, and you shall make no other like it in composition. It is holy, and it shall be holy to you. 33 Whoever compounds any like it or whoever puts any of it on an outsider shall be cut off from his people.’”
Introduction:
The divine recipe for the holy anointing oil is detailed here in Exodus 30:22-33, a recipe designed by God Himself for consecration and anointing. As Christians, we can draw parallels between the symbolic ingredients of this sacred oil and the essence of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit within believers. Additionally, examining the fruits of the Holy Spirit, as outlined in the New Testament, provides deeper insights into the character traits reflected in each ingredient.
- Liquid Myrrh (500 Shekels) – Purity and Devotion:
The aroma of myrrh signifies purity and devotion, traits mirrored in the believer’s character. Galatians 5:22-23 highlights that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Myrrh, representing purity, aligns with the Spirit’s work of producing goodness and purity in the believer’s life.
- Sweet-smelling Cinnamon (250 Shekels) – Balanced Joy:
Cinnamon, known for its sweet fragrance, represents the delightful essence of Christ in our lives. The 250 shekels highlight the balanced nature of joy found in Christ. In Galatians 5:22, joy is specifically mentioned as a fruit of the Spirit, emphasizing the Spirit’s role in cultivating a balanced and sustained joy in the believer. The cinnamon tree which grows 40-60 feet tall is also known for how straight it grows. In this way, cinnamon represents the uprightness of the saints.
- Aromatic Cane (250 Shekels) – Engaging the Senses with Discernment:
Aromatic cane engages the senses, symbolizing the Holy Spirit’s impact on believers. This calls for a discerning spirit, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 2:14, “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” The aromatic cane prompts believers to cultivate spiritual discernment, a trait aligned with the fruit of the Spirit, which includes goodness and faithfulness.
- Cassia (500 Shekels) – Comprehensive Blessings and Generosity:
Cassia adds depth and richness to the anointing oil, symbolizing the comprehensive blessings of Christ. In 2 Corinthians 9:8, believers are reminded that “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” Generosity, a fruit of the Spirit, resonates with the abundance symbolized by the 500 shekels of cassia.
- Olive Oil (1 Hin) – Presence, Healing, and Empathy:
Olive oil, serving as the base, signifies the Holy Spirit’s presence and healing. Galatians 5:22 includes kindness and goodness as fruits of the Spirit, aligning with the healing and empathetic qualities represented by the olive oil. Believers are encouraged to embody the presence, healing, and empathy of the Holy Spirit as they cultivate these fruits in their character.
Five ingredients, the number of grace in scripture, reminds us that we received the Holy Spirit by grace.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Conclusion:
As we explore the spiritual significance of the holy anointing oil, we discover a profound connection between the Old Testament ritual and the New Testament revelation of Christ and the Holy Spirit. This divine aroma not only symbolizes the purity, delight, engagement of the senses, comprehensive blessings, and healing offered by Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit but also serves as a guide for believers to cultivate corresponding character traits, in line with the fruits of the Holy Spirit, in their spiritual journey. May this understanding deepen our worship and consecration, encouraging the development of Christ-like character, as we bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit in our lives.