The Purpose of the Anointing Oil. - Exodus 30:26-30.
"And thou shalt anoint ...".(1) "The Tabernacle" - Service.
The anointing of the Tabernacle foreshadows the anointing of the believer's body. Just as the Tabernacle was that which housed and protected the significant furnishings, each with their individual symbolic meaning, so our bodies which house all that we are and can be through God must also be anointed. This was true of the Word, who "was made flesh and tabernacled among us" (John 1:14). It was prophesied of Him that as the perfect servant, "the Spirit of Jehovah will rest upon Him" (Isaiah 11:2) and in fulfilment of this He said, "the Spirit of the Lord is upon Me because He hath ANOINTED Me to preach the gospel" (Luke 4:18). How similar is the language used when the risen Christ, in given orders for New Testament service, said, "Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses to ME ..." (Acts 1:8).
(2) "The Ark of Testimony" - Communion.
The Ark of the Testimony was a wonderful piece of furniture, typifiying God in Christ (Romans 3:25 - "Propitiation" - "mercy-seat"). It was made of acacia wood, overlaid with pure gold (Exodus 25:10, 11), the word speaking of Christ's humanity and the gold speaking of His deity. God had said concerning the piece of furniture, "THERE I will meet with thee, and I will COMMUNE with thee" (Exodus 25:22). Thus the anointing of the ark of of the testimony speaks of communion through the Holy Spirit. Paul speaks of the "COMMUNION of the Holy Ghost" (2 Corinthians 13:14). Communion is more than prayer, worship or praise and is better described by the New Testament word "fellowship". Indeed the Old Testament word "communion" suggests a quietness on the part of man that he might hear God speak, although the New Testament word indicates an exchange. The important thing, however, is that this holy companionship between God and His child can only be properly experienced as the believer is anointed by the Holy Ghost.
(3) "The Table" - Fellowship in Growth.
The table was situated in the Holy place, and upon it were placed twelve loaves of bread, each representative of one of the Israelite tribes. This was eaten by Aaron and his sons, and typifies the Word of God as the nourisher of the believer-priest. The anointing of the table suggests the need of the Holy Spirit's power and Presence to enable saints to, as a body, together feast on the Word and be nourished and grow. This is doubtless what the apostle Paul referred to when he spoke of "fellowship of the Spirit" (Philemon 1:2). In this same letter he urged the Philippians to "stand fast in one spirit with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel" (Philemon 1:27).
(4) "The Candlestick" - Testimony.
The candlestick which lighted the Holy Place likewise had to be anointed and speaks of testimony in the power of the Holy Spirit. The gospel is to be "preached ... with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven" (1 Peter 1:12). It was the apostle's boast that his speech and preaching was "in demonstration of the Spirit and power" (1 Corinthians 2:4).
(5) "The Altar of Incense" - Worship, prayer and intercession.
The golden altar of incense standing before the veil leading into the Holy of Holies speaks of worship, prayer and intercession on the basis of the finished work, and in the name of the Lord Jesus. The authority for engaging in these happy exercises is the blood of the New Covenant but the power necessary to their enjoyment is imparted by the Holy Spirit. "God is a spirit; they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit ..." (John 4:24, Phil 3:3, Eph 6:18, Jude 20, Romans 8:26).
(6) "The Altar of Burnt Offering" - Obedience.
The altar of burnt offering speaks of the Cross, and its annointing doubtless indicates what is directly stated in Hebrews 9:14 that Christ, "through the eternal spirit offered Himself without spot to God". It was the Holy Spirit that enabled the Man Jesus to be obedient "unto death" even the death of the Cross (Phil 2:8). It is only as the believer is full of the Spirit that he can offer an acceptable obedience and "through the Spirit make die the doings of the body" (Romans 8:13).
(7) "The Laver" - Clensing.
It was at the laver that the priest washed himself in preparation for the service of the sanctuary. This doubtless refers to New Testament through the Spirit's application of the Word to our lives, producing as it does separation and holiness of walk (Eph 6:17, John 15:3, Eph 5:26).
Finally: Prohibitions Regarding the Holy Anointing Oil.
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