October 9, 2020
The Holy Ointment – Part 1
Exodus 30:22-33
There was nothing like it in this world. I was prepared from a special formula revealed to Moses by divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We are told how it was profound- five hundred shekels of this, two hundred fifty shekels of that, a little of this and some of that, no more, no less. The ingredients, spices drawn from here and there, were rare and costly and were mixed with a lavish hand.
The shekel used for weighing these costly spices, worth a kings ransom, was the shekel of the sanctuary. Among the Jews the ephah was used for dry measure, the cubit was used for lineal measure, the hin was used for liquid measure, and the shekel was used for measuring weight.
The shekel of the sanctuary, the sacred shekel, was heavier than the ordinary shekel. God expects more from us, when he weighs us, than we expect of ourselves. In ourselves we are all like poor, lost Belshazzar— weighed in the balances and found wanting (Dan. 5). We can persuade ourselves that we have performed in a satisfactory way, but our scales are inaccurate. So much of our performance is made up of personal ambition, pride, love of position, love of praise, and such like things. God sifts all that out when He weighs us.
It was by the high and unerring standard, the shekel of the sanctuary, that God weighed Christ. “I am well pleased,” He said (Matt. 3:17). We can be sure God used no lightweight measure in passing verdict on Him.
Five hundred shekels. Think of it! Half a shekel was the ransom price for an Israelite under the Law (Exod. 30:11—16), When numbered, each man had to bring half a silver shekel—the price of his redemption. A full shekel tells us that the ransom has not only been paid, but fully and adequately paid. Five hundred shekels implies a measure of redemption only God can comprehend. Five hundred plus two hundred fifty plus two hundred fifty plus another five hundred tells of a redemption beyond all human thought.
We are told why it was provided: to anoint the tabernacle, and the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altar of incense, and the altar of burnt offering, and the laver (Exod. 30:26—28). In the outer court, where grace was shown; in the Holy Place, where God was served; in the Holiest of all, where glory was seen; all was made fragrant by the anointing. God wants the fragrance of Christ to be everywhere—everywhere! Aaron his sons were to be anointed and also prophets and kings. All who serve the Lord must carry with them the fragrance of Christ, whose very name “is as Ointment poured forth” (Song 1:3).
Finally, we are told how it was protected. It was not to be copied. “Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people” (Exod. 30:33). Christ did not come so that we might imitate Him, but so that we may be indwelt by Him. He who gave His life for us now gives His life to us so that everywhere we go we might carry with us His fragrance. May we do just that!
100 Devotions for Leaders – 2008 by John Phillips – Published by Regal Publications Grand Rapids, Michigan
Pastor Lee’s Thoughts: Christ came to give us an abundant life, and He expects that is exactly what we are to have in our lives. When you think about the sacrifice that was given for our freedom in Christ, and the cost associated with that sacrifice, it should motivate to live a life that honors and pleases Him, and that is always full of His Spirit. We must have the fragrance of Christ at all times in our lives that we may radiate His love and His life to others!