Exodus 30:23-25 Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,
And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive a hin:
And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be a holy anointing oil.
This oil was to be used to anoint the tabernacle of the congregation, the ark of the testimony, vessels, candlesticks, alter, laver, ... you get the picture. A lot of oil everywhere. There was alot of pomp and ceremony around it all. They were to be sanctified-set apart- for the purpose of the service to the Lord. There was a warning to not use it wrongly or to copy it.
So what is the oil? A mixture after the art of apothecary sounds so very medicinal and scientific!
I love google!
First Pure myrrh- A bitter herb which "bleeds" a resin when broken. The plant is very fragrant, and was one of the gifts brought to Jesus by the wise men. I have read that this gift speaks to his office as a prophet, and the verse "man of sorrow" may be significant in relating the bitter trait of this herb. One fact I found interesting is unlike most other resins, myrrh expands and "blooms" when burned instead of melting or liquefying. (see link)
Next, sweet cinnamon- This we know is very fragrant... and tasty! The bark near the roots of this herb is what we use. The branches stand upright and are very strong, and they are stripped and allowed to dry into what we know to be sticks. The shoots are encouraged by cutting the tree very near the ground, and thus causing many little shoots that can be harvested. This (coppicing) actually causes the tree to be more fruitful than if left alone, and the tree will never die of old age. Another interesting thing is it can be harvested only after heavy rains when the bark is soft enough to cut.
Thirdly, sweet calamus- It is a wetland plant that had long, thin, very fragrant leaves. There is a main vein through the entire length of it, with many secondary and even more tertiary veins. It also has been banned in by the USDA for its drug properties. It is quite an effective psychotropic drug.
Last herb, cassia- This is very much like cinnamon, but a little more pungent, and used more for spicy dishes. It comes from a shrub that has little yellow flowers that hang down from the branches, and bark that dries into sticks so hard they are nearly impossible to grind. (It is recommended to only buy it pre ground!)
Finally, olive oil- The ingredient that holds it all together. Olive oil is pressed out, and it allows all the qualities of the ingredients to blend together and become useful. A bunch of dried and gritty spices aren't of much use until compounded after the art of the apothecary. Very neat stuff. Another note, olive oil was the fuel used in the lampstands in the tabernacle.
So, we take the bitter, fragrant, sweet, non-consumed, main vein-fed, upright, humble, tender yet strong, and blend it all together with oil that has been pressed from the fruit.
I found many practically applicable things in this study. I need to be humble like the little yellow flowers, bowing down off the cassia branches. When tried, I need to bloom like myrrh and not be consumed. I need to be willing to be cut down over and over that I will produce more fruit... and never die! I must remain tapped into the main vein, like the leaf of sweet calamus. Jesus Christ, my source of water and nutrients. Above all I need to be immersed in the infusing properties of the Holy Spirit. The indwelling part of the Godhead. That gift from God that is with me always.
Showing posts with label Sunday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sunday. Show all posts
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Monday, September 10, 2007
Mission InProgress Monday #3 (and Sunday studies...)
Well, what a weekend! I didn't read, look at, type, or any computer activity since Friday! WOW!
For my Mission Monday, I have a huge testimony of the Goodness of God! I had to work Saturday, and was talking with a fellow co-worker who is also a young Christian lady. We have many friends in common, and I was asking about so and so, or this couple. Some of the states of these others was nothing short of a need for Divine healing and restoration. (Or Salvation! "Ye shall know them by their fruit"... and there is NONE!)
We were talking- mind you this is at a major retailer, on the sales floor and I tell you it was so quiet- for 30 minutes uninterrupted! While we were conversing, a fellow unsaved co-worker was in the conversation and couldn't understand our tone of woe with regard to these people. One just moved in with her boyfriend, another is raising her out-of-wedlock child in a city apartment, and another has found her "life partner" at the age of 19, and thinks she has just made it! YIKES! These are people from families that are CHURCHED! (notice I did not say strong Christians, though a few are, others aren't)
The fellow co-worker commented that she thought these were fine choices if they wanted to make them, and my saved friend said "the way we were brought up, you just don't do these things". She was very cautious, (for obvious reasons-we were actually supposed to be working...) which is where the Lord moved in! (exit saved friend!) I was able for 20 more minutes ask her very provoking questions, like what is her standard for right and wrong? Did she believe the Bible is an authority in her life? Has she obeyed the ten commandments? She really got it all, the whole 9 ton dump truck just backed up and unloaded... and it was great! She never once felt put on the spot, but she really understood the implications of all the Lord was showing her.
She was trying to get away from actually having to make a decision in her life. I explained that in America, most people make the mistake and think they start this life out going to heaven, and they have to be really bad to change it. I told her according to the Bible, all people start out going to hell. She was a little shocked! Then I asked her if two people were really in love, and made all of the wedding plans, got to the church, walked down the aisle, looked really nice and smiled at each other, but never verbally spoke their words of commitment to one another, would they be married in the eyes of the law? After a moment of thought, she said "No, they wouldn't" (very good!) I said he had proposed, but unless they spoke vows of commitment and signed the marriage certificate, it would be incomplete in the eyes of the law.
Enter Rom 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
I told her God proposed 200 years ago. Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for her sin. If she chose to accept it, she needed to repent, confess with her mouth, and the covenant would be signed by the blood of Christ- paying for her sin. She would take his name and be called a Christian. She became so quiet, and her eyes looked straight at me without blinking. I didn't know what to do! A few moments passed, and I asked her if she understood it all. "Yes" was her reply, and then she said "I have a lot to do tonight", and I know she wasn't talking about laundry!
I had already violated retail laws #1, 2 and 3... No proselytizing on the retail floor, no unproductive man hours, and no one stays past scheduled time. She was 20 minutes over her time and had to leave. The manager on duty happened to be a few feet away listening to the whole thing, and thank God he is a fellow Christian and was praying for her all the while. (that means I didn't get fired!)
How does this qualify as a Monday Mission post? I am in my Jerusalem, and need to testify of Christ here, before God will ever give me more responsibility.
Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
I cannot tell you how much I have learned about boldness for Christ from the teens that I minister to every Sunday. Many have a God-given inhibition about talking to others. They witness in College English classes, on the skate park in town, to their friends in public school. I love to hear the testimonies! They encourage me to get involved in what the Lord is doing! He is searching for someone who is willing, sanctified, ready to be anointed! ( my Sunday Study topic!)
2Ch 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
The Lord will equip me, and fill me with what to say if I have been faithful to put it in in the first place. I must read, study, and pray for opportunity. The rest is all God!
1Jo 2:27-28 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
I am sorry for the lengthy post, I didn't realize how long due to all of the interruptions for math, geography and science questions!
Some prayer requests!
~ Boldness for the Gospel of Christ in my Jerusalem!
~ Salvation decision for Ms Jones, my coworker
~ The three girls that prompted the whole discussion. Their Salvation or restoration! God knows!
For my Mission Monday, I have a huge testimony of the Goodness of God! I had to work Saturday, and was talking with a fellow co-worker who is also a young Christian lady. We have many friends in common, and I was asking about so and so, or this couple. Some of the states of these others was nothing short of a need for Divine healing and restoration. (Or Salvation! "Ye shall know them by their fruit"... and there is NONE!)
We were talking- mind you this is at a major retailer, on the sales floor and I tell you it was so quiet- for 30 minutes uninterrupted! While we were conversing, a fellow unsaved co-worker was in the conversation and couldn't understand our tone of woe with regard to these people. One just moved in with her boyfriend, another is raising her out-of-wedlock child in a city apartment, and another has found her "life partner" at the age of 19, and thinks she has just made it! YIKES! These are people from families that are CHURCHED! (notice I did not say strong Christians, though a few are, others aren't)
The fellow co-worker commented that she thought these were fine choices if they wanted to make them, and my saved friend said "the way we were brought up, you just don't do these things". She was very cautious, (for obvious reasons-we were actually supposed to be working...) which is where the Lord moved in! (exit saved friend!) I was able for 20 more minutes ask her very provoking questions, like what is her standard for right and wrong? Did she believe the Bible is an authority in her life? Has she obeyed the ten commandments? She really got it all, the whole 9 ton dump truck just backed up and unloaded... and it was great! She never once felt put on the spot, but she really understood the implications of all the Lord was showing her.
She was trying to get away from actually having to make a decision in her life. I explained that in America, most people make the mistake and think they start this life out going to heaven, and they have to be really bad to change it. I told her according to the Bible, all people start out going to hell. She was a little shocked! Then I asked her if two people were really in love, and made all of the wedding plans, got to the church, walked down the aisle, looked really nice and smiled at each other, but never verbally spoke their words of commitment to one another, would they be married in the eyes of the law? After a moment of thought, she said "No, they wouldn't" (very good!) I said he had proposed, but unless they spoke vows of commitment and signed the marriage certificate, it would be incomplete in the eyes of the law.
Enter Rom 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
I told her God proposed 200 years ago. Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for her sin. If she chose to accept it, she needed to repent, confess with her mouth, and the covenant would be signed by the blood of Christ- paying for her sin. She would take his name and be called a Christian. She became so quiet, and her eyes looked straight at me without blinking. I didn't know what to do! A few moments passed, and I asked her if she understood it all. "Yes" was her reply, and then she said "I have a lot to do tonight", and I know she wasn't talking about laundry!
I had already violated retail laws #1, 2 and 3... No proselytizing on the retail floor, no unproductive man hours, and no one stays past scheduled time. She was 20 minutes over her time and had to leave. The manager on duty happened to be a few feet away listening to the whole thing, and thank God he is a fellow Christian and was praying for her all the while. (that means I didn't get fired!)
How does this qualify as a Monday Mission post? I am in my Jerusalem, and need to testify of Christ here, before God will ever give me more responsibility.
Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
I cannot tell you how much I have learned about boldness for Christ from the teens that I minister to every Sunday. Many have a God-given inhibition about talking to others. They witness in College English classes, on the skate park in town, to their friends in public school. I love to hear the testimonies! They encourage me to get involved in what the Lord is doing! He is searching for someone who is willing, sanctified, ready to be anointed! ( my Sunday Study topic!)
2Ch 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
The Lord will equip me, and fill me with what to say if I have been faithful to put it in in the first place. I must read, study, and pray for opportunity. The rest is all God!
1Jo 2:27-28 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
I am sorry for the lengthy post, I didn't realize how long due to all of the interruptions for math, geography and science questions!
Some prayer requests!
~ Boldness for the Gospel of Christ in my Jerusalem!
~ Salvation decision for Ms Jones, my coworker
~ The three girls that prompted the whole discussion. Their Salvation or restoration! God knows!
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Sunday Studies
I am currently starting a new self study, and thought Sunday would be a good day to share what I have learned!
We named our first daughter Olivia after the olive tree which symbolizes peace. She truly is a peace bringer, as well as a peace maker. The only exceptions being her brothers... sometimes!
Getting to the point!
There is a passage of scripture that always makes me smile inside. I know I will be looked at as weird because it is quite allegorical (which I usually don't even get!), but also because no one will get how I jump from this passage, to my particular place of study. Really, it is a series of small, understandable steps! OK here is the passage!
Judges 9:8 The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.
:9 But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
:10 And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us.
:11 But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?
:12 Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.
:13 And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
:14 Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.
:15 And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.
Now I just like this passage!~
The trees want a king, and the littlest of them all, (after being the last considered!) says trust in my shadow or I actually just might possess the ability to destroy you all! What tree could possibly get anything from a bramble? Now I know this is referring to Abimelech, and how he was nothing compared to the nobility and all, but God chose to use trees in his parable, and I like it!
Now what, you may ask, is the topic I am studying? Why, anointing, of course! Considering the fact a king would have it done to him to show his place, and one who is ill would be anointed by a believer to be healed of God, it must be a vital topic. We receive anointing as well - to do the work of Jesus. The anointing of the Holy Spirit. He uses fresh oil and rubs it into the fabric of our soul. Oil that can only be gotten from pressing; in the trials in this life - in the denial of self. Just like the oil that comes from an olive- from the tree that is the symbol of peace.
I hope someone was able to follow all of this thinking. If not, just pray for me! More to come, I am sure!
I also welcome doctrinal guidance, as long as people are nice!
We named our first daughter Olivia after the olive tree which symbolizes peace. She truly is a peace bringer, as well as a peace maker. The only exceptions being her brothers... sometimes!
Getting to the point!
There is a passage of scripture that always makes me smile inside. I know I will be looked at as weird because it is quite allegorical (which I usually don't even get!), but also because no one will get how I jump from this passage, to my particular place of study. Really, it is a series of small, understandable steps! OK here is the passage!
Judges 9:8 The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.
:9 But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
:10 And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us.
:11 But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?
:12 Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.
:13 And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
:14 Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.
:15 And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.
Now I just like this passage!~
The trees want a king, and the littlest of them all, (after being the last considered!) says trust in my shadow or I actually just might possess the ability to destroy you all! What tree could possibly get anything from a bramble? Now I know this is referring to Abimelech, and how he was nothing compared to the nobility and all, but God chose to use trees in his parable, and I like it!
Now what, you may ask, is the topic I am studying? Why, anointing, of course! Considering the fact a king would have it done to him to show his place, and one who is ill would be anointed by a believer to be healed of God, it must be a vital topic. We receive anointing as well - to do the work of Jesus. The anointing of the Holy Spirit. He uses fresh oil and rubs it into the fabric of our soul. Oil that can only be gotten from pressing; in the trials in this life - in the denial of self. Just like the oil that comes from an olive- from the tree that is the symbol of peace.
I hope someone was able to follow all of this thinking. If not, just pray for me! More to come, I am sure!
I also welcome doctrinal guidance, as long as people are nice!
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