“Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,” (Exodus 25:6)
In chapter 25 of Exodus the Lord tells Moses to command the people to donate different things so that a sanctuary may be built for Him. And the Lord showed Moses exactly what to do with everything the people brought. These items were probably carried from Egypt. Remember that there were an estimated two million people including women and children that left Egypt with Moses. So, the things that were donated were enough to build the sanctuary and carry out the service of worship. The Israelites were to obey God explicitly.
In Exodus 25:6, the oil that was brought in was to be used for light and for anointing. There were specific spices that were to be added to the oil for anointing. (Exodus 30:23-25) This practice began the cultural practice of anointing with oil whatever or whoever (1 Samuel 10:1; 1 Samuel 16:13) was set apart for the Lord. (Exodus 30:26-31) Oil (without the spices) was also needed for the lamp that was in the tabernacle which was to burn continually so that the tabernacle would never be in darkness.
In the New Testament we see that oil is also used for light and for anointing. It was certainly used for lamps since there was no electricity. It was used for healing. We read about the good Samaritan who poured oil and wine on the beaten man’s wounds. (Luke 10:34) When the twelve apostles were sent out to preach, they used oil to anoint the sick. “And they went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.” (Mark 6:12-13)
Then Jesus tells the parable of the ten virgins and their lamps. Five were prepared and had oil in their lamp and the others did not. Jesus said, “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.” (Matthew 25:1) It was customary in those times for the bridesmaids (the ten virgins) to be prepared for the bridegroom and have a position in the procession with the bridegroom to the wedding banquet. In the parable, the five foolish virgins lose their place because they had no oil and had to go out to get some. The main idea is to be ready for the groom, referring to our readiness for the Lord because we don’t know when He is coming. We cannot be slothful and think we will have enough time to get serious with the Lord before He comes.
Oil has many references to the anointing of the Holy Spirit. John stated that we were anointed with oil by the Holy Spirit. “But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.” (1John 2:20) He said this in reference to the difference between those who participated as part of the body of believers but were really not Christians and eventually left. But if anointed, we have been set apart for the Lord, just as the priests of old and the kings of Israel. “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10)
This is our destiny. This is our purpose, created by God from the beginning of the world. We may not act like kings and priests. We may not feel like kings and priests. But if we believe in Jesus, Who He is, what He did and is now doing, and have accepted the Father’s unmerited gift of salvation, we are to be kings and priests in the kingdom of God. The priest has the oil of anointing to pour for healing and to set apart man for the King. He is full of the Holy Spirit and speaks the Word of God. He communes with the Lord and is found at the feet of Jesus and bowed down before the Throne of Grace in time of need. What would a king do without the anointing of the Holy Spirit? He will be like Saul, seeking wisdom from the medium of En-dor.
It’s imperative we remember our position in the kingdom of God. And unlike the foolish virgins ensure that we have oil in our cruse for whatever the Lord is calling us to do, diligent in prayer, diligent in study, diligent in obedience to the Lord and diligent in communion with the Holy Spirit. Then we will be like the widow of Zarephath whose cruse of oil never ran dry. (1Kings 17:16)
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