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“God, your God, has anointed you with the oils of happiness
that can transfuse to your companions;
your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.”
Psalm 45:7
“I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon”
Proverbs 7:17
“As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river side,
as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted,
and as cedar trees beside the waters.”
Numbers 24:6
“And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night,
and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.
Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices,
as the manner of the Jews is to bury.”
John 19:39-40
For the benefits of readers who may be wondering why we call this exhibition “Aloes of the Sacred Scriptures”, you will soon read in the pages that follow where numerous sections placed special emphasis on Aloes by the Holy Scriptures of various religions. Nothing else commanded similar respect by so many holy doctrines.
Researches have noted that there are substantial Biblical references to Spices, Myrrh and Aloes. (www.plaza1.net/ Anthony/SpicesAloesandMyrrh.pdf)
The pricey and invaluable Aloes of Biblical time was noted by the Greek historian Herodotus, Father of History who remarked that “Aloes wood was worth its weight in gold”.
The Buddhist and Taoist scriptures made frequent references to the use of Aloes in the rituals as the supreme offerings to their respective Lords.
For those who are not familiar with the meaning of Christ, we can refer to the Oxford dictionary:
Old English “Crist”, from Latin “Christus” and from Greek “Khristos”, meaning “the anointed one”.
Chrism (Greek word literally meaning “anointing”), also called “Myrrh” (Myron), Holy anointing oil, or “Consecrated Oil”, is a consecrated oil used in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Rite Catholic and Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, and in Old-Catholic churches, as well as Anglican churches in the administration of certain sacraments and ecclesiastical functions.
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This chrismatory is made up of 3 compartments containing holy oils
used in the Catholic Church for ritual anointing at baptism and for confirmation and ordination. |
The opposite page shows the engraving of The Illustrated London News 1850 of a Chrismatory exhibited at the Archaeological Institute Museum at the Taylor Building of Oxford.
There are numerous mentions in the Old Testament of Anointing with Fragrance Oil
Anointing for Office
Rank - anointing with fragrance oil signifies a certain level of social status. The offices that were anointed were the prophet, the priest, the high priest, and the king - a designation of their rank and the recognition of a new level; the oil typified a new appointment, a new level of responsibility, and a new life of the person being anointed with oil.
Sanctification
Anointing fragrance oil also meant sanctification, used as a dedication. Sanctification showed that the person was cleansed of old crimes and was reborn!
Sacrifices
Fragrance oil was poured out on the sacrifices made to God in the Old Testament. The sacrificial object was separated from man when it was raised and later ordained to God, and also anointed by the Holy Spirit. Thereon the object no longer represented an animal on the field; it now represented something that was going to be used for God's glory.
Establishment of the Tabernacle
The tabernacle established in the wilderness was anointed with oil. The tabernacle is the habitation of God. Oil was used to sanctify the place where God's anointing took place, and where people come for the teachings of God. The tabernacle was the place where people would come to be blessed, and encouraged to praise and worship the Lord, in order for their sins to be forgiven, and their lives redeemed.
Unity of Believers
Believers worship together with fragrance oil, and anointment of believers was a sign of unity as all of them were anointed with fragrance oil at the same time.
There is something unique in these fragrance oils from the time of creation. There is a divine life force from God. God created the plants of the earth that nourish our bodies and enable us to grow.
“Let the earth grow vegetation, such as crops and vegetables;
plants yield seeds, which bear fruits of all kinds on earth…
And God saw that it was good...”
Genesis 1:11-12
Each of us is a blessing. God let us survive in this world to be a blessing for one another. We are here to serve one another. When we practise this humble and compassionate act, we honour our Divine mission and bless one another. Our Lord will anoint us with the oil of Happiness so we can enjoy Peace and Harmony.
Take a moment now, get a drop of incense oil, be it aloes, frankincense, sandalwood or rose, inhale this wonderful fragrance and anoint between your eyebrow and forehead, it will light up your heart and soul, body and mind...
Now go out and carry our duty to honour our Divine Lord and pray for the blessings of others. Wishing every one happiness, peace and harmony! |
