"The Anointing"?

                                          
Question:

I'm sure you've heard the phrase, "It's the anointing that destroys the yoke" and many sermons and teachings referring to the anointing of God; people also saying that there is an anointing on someones life.Today we will answer the question: What does the bible really say about "the anointing"?

Misunderstandings: 

One of the greatest misunderstandings that people have on this subject is that they have not studied to show themselves approved; rightly dividing the word of truth. The bible uses the word "anointing" many times in both the old and new testaments; but like most translated words, there are several Hebrew and Greek words with different meanings for every one English word that is used. There are also those that believe that you have to go through some form of suffering to obtain "the anointing". Lets see what the word has to say about this topic.

Truth:

Lets start in Exodus 25:6, where the word first appears. In these chapters we see the Lord giving all the commandments of the law to Moses for the children of Israel. In this particular verse God is telling Moses what the people shall give as an offering to Him; and spices for the anointing oil is one of them. The Hebrew word used in verse 6 is: mishchah (mesh-ka).This word simply means ointment or consecrated portion; it's used to describe the use of the olive oil. The olive oil (along with the mixture of spices prescribed in Exodus 30:23) was applied with ones hand or poured on a person or object to set it apart and make it holy or sanctified. This process is called "anointing". So, anointing relates to the applying of oil. Mishchah is the only word for anointing used throughout the entire old testament with the exception of one scripture: Isaiah 10:27.

This is the scripture that is often misquoted and misunderstood; maybe because its mistranslated in the King James Version. Isaiah 10:27 reads, "And it shall come to pass in that day, that this burden shall be taken away off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing". The Hebrew word used in this scripture is not mishchah; it's shemen (Sheh-men) and it means fat or fatness. So, the verse should really say: "and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the fatness". This is a metaphor taken from a bull that is so fat, it breaks the yoke from its neck and the yoke can no longer fit. This was the prophecy of Israel being freed from the captivity of the Syrians; who's destruction was prophesied earlier in chapter 10. So this verse basically says that because of the abundant blessing of God towards Israel, they will be freed from the bondage of Syria for good. This scripture is not talking about supernatural power freeing a person from spiritual bondage. Hosea 4:16 says, "For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the Lord will feed them as a lamb in a large place". This is literally talking about the nation of Israel being physically freed from captivity and Gods unmerrited favor returning to His disobedient children.

Shemen is translated in every other scripture as fat, fatness or oil. There are two other variations of the word shemen: shaman and shamen. The first means to become fat or grow fat (Deut 32:15);  the latter meaning fat, rich or robust (Hab 1:16). Not sure why the "KJV" translators chose to use the word anointing instead of fatness or olive oil; maybe it was for poetical value.

Another old testament scripture that's often misunderstood is 2 Kings 2:9, when Elijah asked Elisha what shall he do for him before he is taken (in a whirlwind to heaven by a chariot and horses of fire). Elisha asks that he let a double portion of his spirit be upon him. I've heard many preachers and others say that he asked for a double portion of his anointing; this is incorrect. The Hebrew translation of spirit is ruwach (ru-akh) and it means wind, breath or mind. Basically spirit means an invisible force. Think about it, you can hear and feel wind; it can even destroy whole countries by hurricane force winds. In this particular scripture spirit can be referring to gifts, mind, courage or patience; which can all be considered an invisible force. So Elisha could have received a double portion of Elijahs gifts, mind, courage or patience.

Then we have the word meshiyach (me-she-akh), which means: anointed or anointed one. This is also where we get the word messiah from. Jesus Christ, Christos (in Greek) or Jesus the messiah, Yeshua Ha Mashiyach (in Hebrew) all mean: Jesus the "anointed one". Remember we have established the fact that anointing means to consecrate or make holy. So Jesus is the Holy One, the Consecrated One, set apart for God purpose. We'll get back to that in the new testament. There are more scriptures like Zechariah 4:14, as well as others that use the word anointed and are different words in Hebrew but all mean the same thing: smeared with "oil". Lets wrap this up in the NT.

In the new testament we have one mention of "the anointing" in 1 John 2:27; it reads: "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". Wow, a very powerful scripture right? But what is this anointing that John is talking about? Back to that in a second. there are two other words for anointed/anointing" in the NT; the first is aleipho (a-la-fo), which means to anoint with oil. Aleipho is used in John 11:2, when Mary anointed the feet of Jesus with expensive oil. James uses the word when instructing elders of the church to anoint the sick with oil. The last word for anointed is what we've been waiting for. In Acts 10:38, the word chrio (khreo) is used when talking about Christ: "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him". Chrio (to anoint) means: "furnishing with nessessary power and/or the gifts of the Holy Spirit". Back to 1 John 2:27. "The anointing" translates to Chrisma (khresma), which means: unction, anything smeared on, or ointment which is symbolic of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Lets try replacing the word anointing with Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit abides in you and teaches you of all things and is the Spirit of thuth. According to these scriptures: God had anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power; God has anointed us through Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power. So lets piece this together.

Conclusion:

What does the bible really say about "the anointing"? In the OT the anointing refers to the putting on of oil to consecrate, make holy or set apart; basically a formula of spices and oil applied to a person or a thing that God identifies with. In 1 Samuel 16:13, when King David was anointed by Samuel, the spirit of the Lord was upon him from that day forward. Kings, captains, prophets ect. were anointed as a sign of being chosen. Jesus was spoken of prophetically in the OT as the Anointed One or the "Holy One of God". We could also refer to Him as the " Chosen One". In the NT, we see anointing in a like manner with the applying of oil. Only when reffering to Jesus or in 1 John 2:27, the reference to oil or ointment that is smeared or applied is symbolic of the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit. So in conclusion: "the anointing" is the Holy Spirit that we are marked with and sealed by; that makes us holy vessels and sets us apart for Gods use. No suffering required. We need only to believe on Christ, ask the Father to fill us with His Spirit and remain in right standing with the Lord. If you are filled with the Holy Spirit; you are Gods anointed and you have been chosen for a purpose in the kingdom of God. Join me next time for the Spiritual Myth Buster. May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you all.