The Epistles constitute letters written to the early Churches in different locations. As Christians, these letters are directed at us as well. From these letters we learn about our identity, rights and privileges in Christ, etc. So Christians are to live on the new testament (especially the epistles).
As true as that is, we cannot deny that we still learn a lot of lessons from the old testament. Most practices of the old testament may be obsolete but the principles remain timeless and still applies to us today.
Second Kings 8:1-13 is an interesting old testament scripture. It is a really long portion of scripture but it made an interesting and insightful read to me …..
“And Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets, and said to him, “Get yourself ready, take this flask of oil in your hand, and go to Ramoth Gilead. Now when you arrive at that place, look there for Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, and go in and make him rise up from among his associates, and take him to an inner room. Then take the flask of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord : “I have anointed you king over Israel.” ’ Then open the door and flee, and do not delay.” So the young man, the servant of the prophet, went to Ramoth Gilead. And when he arrived, there were the captains of the army sitting; and he said, “I have a message for you, Commander.” Jehu said, “For which one of us?” And he said, “For you, Commander.” Then he arose and went into the house. And he poured the oil on his head, and said to him, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘I have anointed you king over the people of the Lord , over Israel. You shall strike down the house of Ahab your master, that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord , at the hand of Jezebel. For the whole house of Ahab shall perish; and I will cut off from Ahab all the males in Israel, both bond and free. So I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah. The dogs shall eat Jezebel on the plot of ground at Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her. ’ ” And he opened the door and fled. Then Jehu came out to the servants of his master, and one said to him, “ Is all well? Why did this madman come to you?” And he said to them, “You know the man and his babble.” And they said, “A lie! Tell us now.” So he said, “Thus and thus he spoke to me, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord : “I have anointed you king over Israel.” ’ ” Then each man hastened to take his garment and put it under him on the top of the steps; and they blew trumpets, saying, “Jehu is king!” “
II Kings 9:1-13 NKJV
There is just so much being said about anointing in this passage..
Through the Bible we find 3 groups of persons who were anointed in a similar way as Jehu; Priests, Prophets and Kings.
Some of the applications of the term ‘anointing/anointed‘ in the Bible include; for consecrating a place, a vessel, a body before burial, or as a tradition following a wash.
The process of becoming anointed as narrated for Jehu is quite different from how Jesus was anointed. For one, there was no physical pouring of oil on Jesus’s head by any prophet. Jesus was anointed with the Holy Ghost by God Himself…..
“how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
Acts 10:38 NKJV
This was a special form of anointing different from what upheld in the old testament. However, despite the obvious differences in the method of the anointing of Jesus and Jehu, we see similarities in the events that follow someone’s anointing…
Jehu was as much God’s choice for His people at the time he was anointed as Jesus was. So although Jehu received the pouring of oil on the head by a prophet (while Jesus did not), Jehu was first chosen by God.
There is just so much we can glean from Jehu’s story. When God anoints you….
1. He Separates you.
2. He promotes and honors you.
3 He puts you over a territory with a specific assignment.
4. He gives you authority and power.
5. He gives you influence
6. He defends you.
“Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm.” “
Psalms 105:15 NKJV
7. He sets you up for celebration.
Well then, who is qualified to receive these privileges? Anyone who is anointed by God!
As Christians we receive the same anointing as Jesus did when we become baptized by the Holy Spirit.
“Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”
II Corinthians 1:21-22 NKJV
Have you located your territory? Are you wielding your authority and exercising your power? Are you assured of the special protection available to those chosen of God?
The purpose of the anointing is to make power available for good works to be done. Don’t waste it..
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 KJV
When God anoints you, you have power to witness for Christ.
