TABERNACLE Quick Facts no.4
Anointing Oil
The priests who were consecrated for service in the tabernacle were anointed with a special oil that ran off their forehead into their beard and onto their garments – Psalm 133:2. Although prophets and kings were also anointed, the oil used in Exodus 30 was made from a recipe given to Moses by God and was reserved solely for use of consecrating the tabernacle, it’s furnishing and it’s priests. It is called a holy anointing and a precious ointment - Exodus 30:22-31.
The specific formula from which the anointing oil was made consisted of 500 shekels of pure myrrh (a gum resin extracted from the Arabian Balsamodendron Myrrha plant used in embalming), 250 shekels of sweet cinnamon, 250 shekels of sweet calamus (the aromatic bark of a shrub growing in Arabia), 500 shekels of cassia (a plant having the flavor and aroma of cinnamon), and a hin (one gallon) of olive oil (Ex. 30:22-25). Rabbinical sources state that Moses, having reduced the solid ingredients to powder, steeped 
them in water until all the aromatic qualities were drawn out. The olive oil was then poured into the ingredients and the water boiled out. The residue thus obtained was preserved in a vessel for use (Unger’s Bible Dictionary, p. 806).
There were three prohibitions concerning the use of the anointing oil. Exodus 30:32-33
First, it was to be poured only on the head and not “Upon man’s flesh”(Ex. 30:32). Second, the anointing oil was not to be produced for the priests’ own use or for secular purposes. (Ex. 30:32). Third, the anointing oil was not to be put “upon a stranger”(i.e., one not of the priesthood, Ex. 30:33).
This precious anointing oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit of God. New Testament believers are anointed by God’s Spirit at the moment of salvation. Paul stated, “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his”(Rom. 8:9). The believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit at the moment of conversion, and from then on we are commanded to be filled with (under the control of) the Spirit – Ephesians 5:18.
How sad when this precious doctrine is corrupted by some who teach that conversion and receiving the Holy Spirit are separate experiences. How sad also when the anointing of the Spirit is cheapened by those who make sensational claims to the Spirit’s power and deceive people into believing they can have the same power through gimmickry and cheap trinkets.
Believer, you have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise – Ephesians 4:32. You have an anointing that can be fresh every morning as you walk with God, yield yourself to His Spirit, and have fellowship in His Word!
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Spiritual Shock Absorbers
One of our family vehicles is a 1997 Chevy Astro van. It goes without saying, that the shocks and springs in this vehicle are not what they used to be. I have to be careful where I drive if I do not want the unpleasant experience of constant rattling, or worse yet, jarring my coffee loose from the cup holder and all over the floor. My preference is to avoid the roads pockmarked with bumps and potholes. However, traveling that same road in a car that has good shock absorbers is an entirely different experienc
e. I may still feel the bumps, but they do not rattle me to the bone, or knock things loose inside the vehicle.
Being in pastoral ministry for nearly a quarter century there are numerous occasions when I have felt the blunt and unsettling jolt of some negative circumstance or the sting of a bitter disappointment. I have seen people I love overcome by a besetting sin. I have lost close personal friends to physical and spiritual tragedy. On September 11, 2001 the whole world was shocked by the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York. Within one month of that event two of my Pastor friends, both young men, went home to be with the Lord. One in an auto accident and the other by drowning. Also within that month, our next door neighbour’s six year old daughter contracted a serious blood disease and died within 24 hours. She was our oldest daughter’s closest friend.
We are caught off guard by shocking circumstances and trials. We all face them, and while we would much rather take the smooth road, the fact remains that our path of following Christ is often beset with difficulties and unpleasant situations that threaten to derail us spiritually. Some will succumb to the pressure and simply find another road, others will overreact and end up in the ditch, but many will continue moving forward absorbing the jolt of each difficulty while becoming more like Christ. What makes the difference?
The Biblical answer to that question can be found in I Corinthians 13. Here is the great love chapter in all the Bible. In the last verse of the chapter Paul identifies three enduring spiritual values. He says “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.“ I Cor. 13:13. We should incorporate these values as attitudes in our daily lives. Over time they will serve as spiritual shock absorbers. Let’s take a moment to consider how each of these attitudes will help us remain stable, focused, and on course when things around us are unsettling.
FAITH
The Bible tells us that the absence of faith is sin Rom. 14:23. If the difficulties caused by circumstances, things, or other people lead us to take our eyes off of Jesus we have sinned against God and it will not be long until we deviate from God’s will in our lives.
HOPE
The word hope speaks of the joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation. Paul refers to it as a “blessed hope” in Titus 2:13. Why would we allow the jarring of earthly events and human failures to rob us of our joy when we have a secure and eternal home awaiting us in heaven?
LOVE
Paul said charity or love is the greatest of these three. This love was first demonstrated to us when God sent His Son Jesus to die in our place for the sin which separated us from God. The Bible says that we as believers now “love Him, because He first loved us” I John 4:19. The application of this value is of great importance in the trials of life. There is no circumstance of life that is powerful enough to separate us from the love of Christ Romans 8:38-39.
In the context of I Cor 13 we learn that neither human effort, nor spiritual giftedness will sustain us in all the turmoil and confusion that life can bring. Faith, hope and love are enduring and abiding values that will make a difference. Have you installed your spiritual shock absorbers?
Four Types of Friends Every Pastor Needs
Here is the article on accountability and friendship I shared with our church family last night. I Trust it will be a blessing to you. It was written by Ike Reighard, the founding pastor of Northstar church in Kennesaw, Georgia.
“Pastors may be the most well-known, loneliest men on the face of the earth. Friendship is a vital part of New Testament ministry and leadership. Without quality, biblical friendships, we are modeling a flawed Christian lifestyle for our church members.
Most pastors find themselves in an unhealthy relationship where their wife is their only friend and counselor. I believe a pastor’s wife should be his best friend, but she should not be his only friend.
In my 30 years of ministry, I have learned that every pastor needs at least four types of friends:
The Developer
Your best friend will always be the person who brings out the very best in you. Developer friends will bring the gift of encouragement to a pastor’s life and bring out the very best in him.
The Designer
We tend to think of mentors as a personal, hands-on coach. The Latin and Greek define them more as “advisors” or “wise men.” The designer mentors us in our marriage, ministry, child-rearing, civic involvement, business acumen, or any area where we need a model. Designer mentors may live near or far, be acquaintances or strangers, or may even be dead. They “design” our lives through Scripture, books, tapes, articles, or seminars.
The Disturber
We need friends who will shake up our status quo. Disturbers ask us difficult questions, forcing us to take a closer look at motivations and ambitions. Disturbers know when we have retreated into our comfort zones, and they call us out to greater effectiveness. God uses disturbers in our lives to become the object of greater force that breaks inertia and propels us to greater achievement.
A biblical picture of a disturber is in Deuteronomy 32:11. In this passage the mother eagle tears up the soft nest to reveal sharp thorns that bring discomfort to the eaglets. Because of discomfort, the eaglets leave the nest and learn to fly. The mother develops her young by repeatedly pushing them out of the nest and catching them until they become skilled flyers. Eagles were never meant to stay in the nest and neither were we. The disturber pushes us to learn to fly.
The Discerner
In a lifetime of relationships, perhaps only a handful of people are willing to play this vital role because it requires mutual vulnerability. Discerners bring the gift of spiritual insight into our lives. They know how to speak the truth in love. They know how to exhort and rebuke, seeking to keep their friend on the right track.“
Are you developing Biblical friendships that will help you in this way?
A Dining Experience
Recently I received a gift certificate for The Glenerin Inn. It was a birthday gift from one of our members. Last night Cindy and I took the opportunity to dine there. An evening out for a date with no children and no phone to ring is one of those rare enjoyments of life that we treasure.
We read that The Glenerin Inn offers dining and accomadations on a “rambling stone estate, a gracious architectural beauty reminiscent of an English manor house. Landscaped gardens with rolling lawns and cool streams wind their way through wooded valleys just beyond.“ Needless to say, my wife and I were looking forward to a memorable evening.
The old world charm in the Grand Hall along with a fine meal of steak and salmon did not disappoint. David, our server, did an excellent job. After a leisurely meal, Clement, the hotel receptionist, gave us a quick tour of two guest rooms. We were warmly invited to return for an overnight package including dinner and a continental breakfast.
Spiritual food – the Word of God – is of greater value for it feeds the soul. the Bible says “ Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4. Yet, many times we treat our spiritual dining experience as if it were of equal importance to a burger and fries at the local fast food outlet. If we want the drive through convenience in our spiritual lives we will not enjoy the full experience that God has for us in our walk with Him.
This is sad, for the Lord invites us freely into the Grand Hall of His Word and His fellowship. Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20
Take the time, some time, and enjoy that fine dining experience!
New Territory
This is somewhere I never thought I’d be. Many times over the years of ever-developing computer technologies I have embraced new possibilities that the software or hardware offers. This world of technology has helped me in ministry effectiveness and personal productivity, not to mention, it’s been a lot of fun! The world of the blog however, was unlike the rest to me. Something for others, but not my cup of tea. Why waste time with it when there is so much else to do?
So what am I doing here? Great question. There are many answers to that question, some of which are yet undiscovered by me, but will reveal themselves in the weeks and months to come as my journey unfolds. What is apparent to me as I embark is a single overarching answer and it has to do with the word “vision”. I am here because of vision. The Bible says in Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. My vision for this blog “Building on the Rock” is connected to the title and the photo I’ve chosen as a banner.
Jesus said that He would build His church on the Rock. That Rock is Christ himself. Many today are building on the shifting sands of worldly philosophy, public opinion and the appetites of the flesh. Christians must be different we must build our lives on the unchanging nature of Christ and His Word. It bothers me deeply that many are failing to build lives, and homes that have strong spiritual substance. My blog is just one small voice, but my desire is to make a difference.
The photo is of Cannon Beach on the coast of Oregon. The large rock to the right is called Haystack Rock and is a 235-foot tall monolith or sea stack. It is the third-tallest such structure in the world. As a young child I recall visiting this amazing place on a family vacation and marveling at the size of this rock. When I read Jesus words concerning the foundation of His church I often think of Haystack Rock. A massive, unchanging, unmoveable object that is not affected by tides or ocean storms. Jesus is all of that and more in the storms of our lives, and in the midst of wildly changing social and political paradigms. Thank God for such a rock as Christ! He is worth building our life upon.
