God gave specific instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and everything to be used in it as well. One of those things was the oil to anoint the furnishings and the priests:
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant calamus, 500 shekels of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin of olive oil. Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the sacred anointing oil. Then use it to anoint the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law, the table and all its articles, the lampstand and its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand. You shall consecrate them so they will be most holy, and whatever touches them will be holy" (Exodus 30:22-29).
Notice that the oil was to be a "fragrant blend" so that whatever it anointed would also have a pleasant aroma--and probably a lasting one. Oil is symbolic of the Spirit's presence and one's anointing is what the Spirit is present to empower someone to accomplish in life and ministry. This work is therefore to have a pleasant aroma to God as did Jesus' work: "Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 5:2). Paul described the aroma of the good works the Philippians did: "I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God" (Philippians 4:18).
When do you smell the best to God? What do you do or where do you do it that you know God anoints you with His presence? Did you realize that when you do it, you send off a fragrance that is certainly pleasing to Him and probably noticeable by others? "For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing" (2 Corinthians 2:15). Do you see that what you are anointed to do is to make a positive, pleasant difference in the world around you as well as being a pleasing act to the Lord?
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