Anointing

And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head,
and anointed him, to sanctify him.

Leviticus 8:12

A ceremonial anointing symbolizes the power of the Lord coming upon a person. In the Old Testament the Lord gives specific instructions for the preparation of the anointing oil. This oil represents the Holy Spirit and it is to be used only on the sacraments and instruments and individuals of the Lord's choosing. Any variation from the detailed instructions could have dire consequence.

In the Old Testament,  the priests of the tabernacle and temple are anointed with a holy, sanctified oil. The Lord says, Say to the Israelites, 'This is to be my sacred anointing oil for the generations to come. Do not pour it on men's bodies and do not make any oil with the same formula. It is sacred, and you are to consider it sacred. Whoever makes perfume like it and whoever puts it on anyone other than a priest must be cut off from his people.'" (Exodus 30:31-33)

"Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it and all its furnishings, and it will be holy. Then anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils; consecrate the altar, and it will be most holy. Anoint the basin and its stand and consecrate them." (Exodus 40:9-11)

The physical anointing with the oil sanctified or set apart these articles of the tabernacle to the Lord. They were to be holy as He is holy. Anointed ones, too, would have the spiritual responsibility of the High Priests, dedicated by and to the Lord. (Hebrews 5:1) "Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins." The Israelites were commanded to anoint priests, kings, and prophets.

A spiritual anointing is the act of the infilling of the Holy Spirit. At the baptism of Christ, the dove descends upon Jesus.  As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." (Mark 1:10-11) Christ says in  Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me"

Christ is anointed. The author of Hebrews talks about Christ when he says,  "You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy." (Hebrews 1:9) and the Apostle Paul, "And you no doubt know that Jesus of Nazareth was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and with power." (Acts 10:38)

Again in Hebrews we see where God states that His son is the High Priest.   "No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father." (Hebrews 5:4-5)

Remember, in Exodus, the high priest received sanctification through the anointing of the holy oil. Read from Hebrews how Christ came and became the eternal high priest.   "When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption!" (Hebrews 9:11-12)

As Christians, we no longer require the tabernacle with walls and fixtures. As Christ is the high priest, our body is now the tabernacle, and Christ intercedes before the throne. The Holy Spirit was sent to abide with us after Jesus ascended to Heaven. "Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you". (1 Corinthians 6:19)The following scriptures reference the power of the anointing which comes from the Holy Spirit.

1 John 2:27 "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."
 
Hebrews 1:9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
 
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,  set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

When we speak of an "anointing", we refer to the precious, powerful, presence of the Lord enveloping individuals, locations, elements, or situations*. The Lord sets the anointed one apart for Himself. He appoints and approves of that which He dwells in and amongst. An anointing represents truth, gladness, righteousness, and promise. An anointing should be welcomed and received with humility and grace. It should be embraced and cherished. It should be worn as an adornment and allowed to shine like the light of thousand suns. People of the Lord, seek His favor. Seek His grace. Seek His anointing.

M

* The following are only a few examples of people, places, and things that might be anointed:
Men, women, children, heads, feet, hands, ministers, teachers, preachers, offices, professions, positions, relationships, families, bonds, ceremonies, marriage, homes, churches, ministries, offerings, altars, a baptismal, sacraments, tables, candlesticks, vessels, goblets, handkerchiefs, linen cloths, songs, a musical instrument, are just examples of instruments which might be anointed or set apart for the Lord.