Biblical Oils 3

Today is the last day of our biblical oils. With it being Holy Saturday, this is a great to seek a deeper insigh and spiritual grounding.  The thee oils we go over today are perfect for this day.

Hyssop

Hyssop is used to purify and cleanse as mentioned in Psalms.  It's symbolism is also seen in John as a hyssop branch is used while Jesus was on the cross.

New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 51:7

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 

John 19:29          

 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.

Cistus

 Historically cistus has been used to elevate one's  mood

New International Version (NIV)
Song of Songs 2:1

    a lily of the valleys. I am a rose of Sharon,

Myrtle

Myrtle though not mentioned often, is present in the bible.  Myrtle indicates growth, abundance and protection.  Myrtle is part of  Sukkot, the Feast of the Tabernacles.  Myrtle branches as part of its ceremony.  

New International Version (NIV)

Nehemiah 8:15

 and that they should proclaim this word and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem: “Go out into the hill country and bring back branches from olive and wild olive trees, and from myrtles, palms and shade trees, to make temporary shelters”—as it is written.

Oils are not something new.  They have been around since the beginning of time.  Just read the bible.

Biblical Oils Day 2

Today we learn about three more oils from the bible. 

Cassia

Cassia is used in temple worship.  It is a major ingredient in incense.  Cassia is used as an anointing oil and a perfume.  Cassia is also called cinnamon bark.

New International Version (NIV)Psalm 45:8   

All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia;
    from palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes you glad.

Cedarwood

Cedarwood oil is associated with cleansing and purification.  It symbolizes abundance and security. In the bible the cedarwood tree is referenced quite often.  

New International Version (NIV)1 Kings 4:33

 He spoke about plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssopthat grows out of walls. He also spoke about animals and birds, reptiles and fish.

Cypress

Cypress is mostly mentioned as a companion to cedar.  Cypress is celebrated in the Scripture as a symbol of strength and security.  The doors of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome are made of cypress wood.  Even after 1,200 years the doors show no signs of decay.  

New International Version (NIV)

Isaiah 60:13 

“The glory of Lebanon will come to you,
    the juniper, the fir and the cypress together,to adorn my sanctuary;
    and I will glorify the place for my feet.

Biblical Oils

When we think of oils in the bible, our mind immediately turns to  the birth of Christ.  It was the wise men who brought him Frankincense and Myrrh.  Though essential oils are mentioned throughout the entire bible.  

As Holy Week comes to an end let's take a look at some of the oils that are repeated through the bible.  Over the next few days we will look at 10 oils.  Today we will start with  4.

Aloes/Sandalwood

Aloes/Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood is a symbol of abundance.  Nicodemus brought Aloes to Jesus as a gift.  It was later used as his burial ointments.

 

John 19:38-42New International Version (NIV)

The Burial of Jesus

38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. 39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.[a] 40 Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. 42 Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

 Myrrh
Myrrh is a well know oil from the story of Jesus' birth.  This was one of the gifts the Magi brought.  Myrrh is an anointing oil.  It is also use as an ointment.  It was used in Jesus' burial preparations.

New International Version (NIV)Mark 15:23

 Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.

                           Frankincense

  Frankincense is well know as part of the Christmas story.  Though it is mentioned quite often in the bible. Its Hebrew translation is levonah which is used 22 times in the bible. Frankincense indicates wealth and prosperity.  It is generally used as a part of ceremonial offerings.  Frankincense was such a precious commodity that it was considered  currency.

New International Version (NIV)

Matthew 2:11

11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

                                   Onycha

 Onycha was an ingredient in the “pure and holy” perfume the Lord commanded Moses to make.  It was only mentioned this one time in the bible. 

New International Version (NIV)

Exodus 30:34

Incense

 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts