018. Anointing
Anointing
"Oil to make the face to shine." The earliest use of anointing of which we know is told us in Genesis 28:18. Also we read in Genesis 31:13 : "I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointest the pillar." The pouring of oil on the stone which had been Jacob’s pillow was for the purpose of consecration to the service of God. High priests and sacred vessels were anointed for the same reason. The king was called "the Lord’s anointed," anointed for the service of God. The oil was carefully prepared for all such purposes and could not be used for any ordinary occasion. Directions for making this oil are found in Exodus 30:23-33. It was composed of myrrh, sweet cinnamon and sweet calamus and of olive oil.
Anointing was also used on festive occasions. It was the mark of attention paid to guests, here we have the phase "anointed with the oil of gladness." In Egypt it was customary for a servant to anoint the head of every guest and the omission was considered a sign of mourning. In Luke 7:38; Luke 7:46, the host neglected to anoint the head of Jesus and provided no water for His feet. Not only was oil used for the head, but also for the skin. In many countries the use of oil for the body is believed to strengthen it and to protect it from the heat of the sun. The bodies of the dead were often anointed to preserve them.