Exodus 30:22-38
Exodus 30:22-38: The Holy Anointing Oil and Incense This passage gives instructions for making the special anointing oil and incense used in the tabernacle. God chose the exact ingredients and how they should be mixed. These holy substances were not for ordinary use, but set apart to honor God. The oil and incense showed the beauty and holiness of God’s house, and they also pointed to deeper spiritual truths about Jesus Christ and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. v. 23-25: God told Moses the exact spices and amounts to use for making the holy anointing oil (v. 23-25 a). The spices were the best and most suitable for this purpose because God Himself chose them. The oil was to be made by a skilled apothecary, mixing the spices and oil together and then straining it. The result was a wonderfully sweet-smelling oil. – – v. 26-30: This oil was used to anoint the tabernacle, all its furniture, and the priests (v. 26-30 b). Anointing made them holy and set apart for God’s service. The oil was to be used for all generations. Some Jewish traditions say the original oil lasted for a very long time, but it is more likely that new oil was made as needed, following God’s instructions. In the second temple, this special oil was not used anymore, which pointed forward to the better anointing of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament (Acts ii. 1-4 c). The sweet smell and beauty in the tabernacle showed the excellence of holiness. Christ’s name is compared to ointment poured forth (Song of Solomon i. 3 d), and a good reputation is better than precious ointment (Eccl. vii. 1 e). – – – – v. 31: The anointing oil was to be preserved and used through all generations (v. 31 f), showing that God’s ways do not change and that holiness is always important. v. 32-33: No one was allowed to make oil like this for themselves or use it on anyone except priests or the tabernacle. Anyone who did was to be cut off from the community (v. 32, 33 g). This teaches us to respect what God has made holy and not treat sacred things as ordinary. – v. 34-35: God also gave instructions for making the incense that was burned on the golden altar (v. 34, 35 h). The incense was made from sweet spices, though not as rare or expensive as those in the oil. The Jews say a pound was made for each day of the year, plus extra for the Day of Atonement. When used, it was to be beaten very fine. This points to how Jesus suffered for us and became a sacrifice of a sweet-smelling savor to God (Ephesians v. 2 i). – – v. 37-38: Just as with the oil, no one was to make incense like this for personal use. If anyone did, they were to be cut off from God’s people (v. 37, 38 j). This rule helped the people keep a deep respect for God’s worship. We must not treat holy things lightly or use them for entertainment, as some did with music in the time of Amos (Amos vi. 5 k), or as others did with God’s word (Matt. xxii. 5 l). What belongs to God must be kept special and not used as a common thing.
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