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Exodus 40:9–15
“Then you shall take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it, and consecrate it and all its furniture, so that it may become holy” (v. 9).
After assembling the tabernacle components into a finished sanctuary, the Israelites would have to set it apart formally for God’s service. Thus, after explaining to Moses how to fit the pieces of the tabernacle together and how to arrange its furniture (Ex. 40:1–8), the Lord directed the people on how to anoint the sanctuary and its priests. As in the instructions for setting up the tabernacle, in-depth directions for consecrating it and the priests to God’s service were given earlier in the book of Exodus (Ex. 28–30), so Exodus 40:9–15 gives only a summary of the process. Nevertheless, the repetition of these instructions, though brief, shows how important it was that Israel follow the processes that the Lord gave for worship.
What was the significance of anointing? Scripture’s association of the Holy Spirit with the anointing of oil (see Luke 4:18–19) indicates that anointing was a way to visibly mark out those whom the Lord had gifted for leadership and ministry in the old covenant church. It is not that the act of anointing itself conferred some kind of power or effected internal transformation. It was possible to be anointed and yet to fall away, as in the case of Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1–3). Instead, the chief purpose of anointing was to signify the proper installation of a candidate into his office and to recognize the authority of that person in his office.
Under the old covenant, prophets, priests, and kings were anointed for service to the people of God. First Chronicles 16:22, for instance, refers to the prophets as God’s “anointed ones.” We have already read about the rituals involved with anointing Aaron and his sons as priests (Ex. 29; see Lev. 8–9). The Historical Books are filled with records of the anointing of a new king to replace a former monarch of Israel (e.g., 1 Sam. 16:1–13; 1 Kings 1:39). It should be noted that the anointing of any single individual as a prophet, priest, or king did not guarantee his submission to the Holy Spirit. Many of those who were anointed under the old covenant did not conduct their office with righteousness as they were supposed to.
Those failures inspired the people of Israel to look for a perfect prophet, priest, and king. This Prophet, Priest, and King is the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom all three offices are combined and fulfilled in their totality. He is the Word, the Sacrifice for sinners, and the Ruler over all (Heb. 1:1–4).
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
Christ was anointed so that He could fulfill His duties as Prophet, Priest, and King. Similarly, we have received the gift of the Holy Spirit in order to accomplish our vocations in the church (1 Cor. 12). May we never try to serve God and others in our own power.
FOR FURTHER STUDY
- Psalm 23:5
- Habakkuk 3:13
- Acts 10:38
- 2 Corinthians 1:21–22