Sip Saturday
Week #9 Hebrews 1:9
**Sip Saturday is written by our Saturday morning contributor, - A beautifully gifted Christian author who seeks to honor the Trinity in her writing. She hopes that her words will encourage women to draw closer to God, whether that is through her fantasy series or her weekly devotionals.
Cornerstone Scripture:
"You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
-Hebrews 1:9 ESV
Imagine kneeling down before a priest. With your eyes squeezed shut and your heart pounding, you hear the priest pray for you as he pours oil over your hair. Like shampoo or conditioner, it runs down your ears and drips into your eyes. The priest finishes his prayer, and you rise, the new anointed king of Israel. This is exactly what happens to David in 1 Samuel 16.
Oil is often used in ceremonies. In this case, the ceremony of appointing a king. But there are instances of this usage in the New Testament. A woman anointed Jesus with expensive perfume and oil in preparation for his eventual death and burial ((Matthew 26:6–13; Mark 14:3–9; Luke 7:36–50; John 12:1–8). Sometimes oil is used to anoint someone who is sick, as well (James 5:14). Jesus also described how being unprepared with oil can lead to someone's downfall in a parable (Matthew 25). So, there are many uses of oil in Scripture.
The use of oil in this instance has multiple meanings. First, Jesus is an anointed king, and the author uses this passage once more to point to Jesus as the Son of God. He is also the bridegroom, which is why he uses this passage from Psalm 45. Furthermore, the oil that Jesus is anointed with is one of gladness. This type of gladness is not a reference to temporary happiness, but everlasting joy. This is a type of gladness that is content in all circumstances (Philippians 4:11-12). Jesus alone was perfectly content, even when he faced the immense suffering set before him. This is because he had an intimate relationship with God the Father and because he loved us so much to willingly separate himself from God in order to die for our sins. Because of his resurrection, he has tremendous joy, not only in and of himself, but also because he has bought his bride (you and I) in a right relationship with his Father.
How hard it is to have joy despite circumstances. Think back to my imaginary example. Would you be perfectly glad and content to have oil running over your hair, in your eyes and over your ears? Would you want to run to the shower and clean it off immediately? When I truly thought of this scenario, I knew that it would be hard to stay still and let that happen and how I would squirm with that much oil in my hair. Yet, with such an esteemed ceremony, being still is necessary, and you should feel joy to finally be anointed as king.
One would think that David's life would be set. He should be able to take the crown and walk with it. Yet, Scripture speaks otherwise. For the next twenty years, he would be persecuted by Saul, the first king of Israel. He would truly learn what it means to be content despite living as an exile. He would go on to face other trials and circumstances, but David was ultimately called a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). Pursuing God and putting Him above all else is what leads to a joyful, contented life. One filled with the oil of gladness.
Let's pray.
Dear Lord, help me to remain focused on you instead of my circumstances. Grant me the ability to have joy and gladness no matter what happens. I rest in your grace and mercy. Amen.