Keeper of the Celler

The Keeper of the Oil

1Ch 27:28 KJV And over the olive trees and the sycomore trees that [were] in the low plains [was] Baalhanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil [was] Joash:

In this chapter the king is appointing men that will serve in the military, in governmental offices, but lastly some that will care for his personal treasures. He had appointed princes over each tribe and had been conducting a census, but God thought it unnecessary and sent a plague upon the kingdom.

In the latter part of this chapter the king mentions various people that he appointed to oversee his very own property and assets:

- Over the king's treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel

- Over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, was Jehonathan the son of Uzziah

- Over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub

- Over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite

- Over the olive trees and the sycomore trees that were in the low plains was Baalhanan the Gederite

- Over the cellars of oil was Joash

- Over the herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the Sharonite

- Over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai:

- Over the camels also was Obil the Ishmaelite:

- Over the asses was Jehdeiah the Meronothite:

- Over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagerite.

All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David's.

We will not focus on all of these twelve men, but only one of the men, Joash.

I - Joash & His Given Name

1Ch 27:28 KJV - And over the olive trees and the sycomore trees that [were] in the low plains [was] Baalhanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil [was] Joash:

Joash was number eight out of twelve on the kings list. The king had eight men that he was willing to entrust to oversee his substance and treasures. There was another man that oversaw the actual the olive trees, but once those olives were turned into oil, that task was turned over to a man named, Joash.

If we search the scriptures, it seems that there are seven Joash's in the bible, though the spelling may be a bit different in some places. The Joash before us was a trusted and loyal man, someone that the king personally chose to place over his olive oil cellars.

This may seem insignificant, but it was an extremely important job.

The actual meaning of the name "Joash" is "Jehovah hastens."

A) His Heavenly Association "Jo - Jehovah"

The name Joash is a compound word, with two distinct parts. The first part of his name is "Jo" which implies "Jehovah." This man had a heavenly association and it seems that he lived up to his name.

B) His Hasty Aid "Ash - Come to Help"

The second part of his name, "ash" means "to lend aid, come to help, or hasten." It seems that Joash, was a man connected to God and sought to render aid to his fellow man. On the one hand he valued his God, but on the other hand, he valued the wellbeing of his fellow man.

HOW TO GET SOMETHING DONE

It has been said that there are three ways to get something done:

1. Do it yourself

2. Hire someone else to do it

3. Forbid your kids to do it

WILLING PEOPLE

Every church is filled with willing people-some willing to work, and others willing to let them.

3 KINDS OF PEOPLE

There are three kinds of people in the world:

1. Those who watch things happen;

2. Those who make things happen; and

3. Those who wonder, "What just happened?"

Which one are you?

II - Joash & His Gracious Nature

It seems that this man Joash was quick to live up too his name, as he was quick to come and help or would hasten to offer aid. These are the kind of men that King David would have longed to have overseeing his substance and riches. If a person was quick to offer his help and to render aid, then you could be rest assured that he had a gracious nature and work ethic.

D. L. Moody wrote the following words next to Isaiah 6:8 in his Bible: "I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I ought to do, and what I ought to do, by the grace of God I will do."

Isa 6:8 KJV - Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here [am] I; send me.

A) Joash the Mindful Man "His Eyes"

Joash seemed to be a mindful man, looking to help others. There are many people that see, yet they do nothing. Then there are others that not only look, they long to see, in order to help others. There is nothing more heartbreaking than seeing believers turn their heads, as others are in need.

Joash was not chosen to take on the role of something glamorous or wondrous, he was chosen to oversee the oil cellars of the king. Most of his time would seemingly go unnoticed, but it was not unneeded, it was certainly needed. The king needed a mindful man to watch over his oil and to protect his oil.

B) Joash the Helpful Man "His Energy"

We need people that are willing to lend their energy to the king, so as to take care of the king's substance and guard his riches. The Lord could have chosen someone else to do your job, but he chose you, can you grasp that concept?

III - Joash & His Grand Nomination

1Ch 27:28 KJV And over the olive trees and the sycomore trees that [were] in the low plains [was] Baalhanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil [was] Joash:

We have no clue as to how close King David and Joash might have been, but we do know that the king deemed him reliable enough to place him over his cellars of oil. In this chapter we find the king naming 12 generals to oversee his army, one general from each tribe. Then he appointed 12 rulers that were to oversee each of the 12 tribes. That is a total of 24 leaders, but now he adds twelve more men to look over his own personal wealth, which included land, vineyards, and all of his herds, flocks, and livestock. Joash was one of those chosen 36 men, the cream of the crop.

A) His Office & Calling

Joash was chosen to serve the king, because the king deemed him worthy and reliable enough to entrust him with his substance and treasures. We do not know hardly anything about this man, but the king knew him and that would prove to be enough.

If the king deems you as useful, then who can discredit your usefulness?

B) His Opportunity & Commitment

I can see Joash as he begins the task of overseeing the cellars of oil. Most all of his work was performed outside of the publics eye, yet he saw it as an opportunity to serve the king. He was loyal to the king and committed to him. I dare say that those cellars of oil were clean and spotless, just in case the king wanted to drop by and check out his product.

IV - Joash & His Great Need

1Ch 27:28 KJV And over the olive trees and the sycomore trees that [were] in the low plains [was] Baalhanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil [was] Joash:

I dare say that there were not many hands going up in the air, if the king had asked for volunteers to oversee the cellars of oil, but this job was needful. The king needed someone that he could trust to oversee all of his oil.

A) His Consideration & Value

Oil was essential to the everyday life of Israel and its citizens. We find that it was used in all facets of life and it was extremely valuable.

Alan Carr from Sermon Notebook gives us the following assessment of oil:

Consider the following uses:

- Oil was used in the Jewish religion.

1. Oil was used in the "meat offering," Lev. 2:1.

2. Oil was used in the "trespass offering," Lev. 7.

3. Oil was used in the ceremonial cleansing of a leper, Lev. 14.

4. Oil was used in the anointing ritual for the priesthood, Ex. 29.

- Oil was used to anoint kings, 1 Sam. 16:13.

- Oil was used as lamp fuel Ex. 27: 20.

Oil was used both in the House of God, and in the homes of ordinary people.

- Oil was used as an item of commerce - 1 Kings 5:11; 2 Kings 4.

- Oil was used as a medicine, Luke 10:34, James 5:14.

- Oil was used for cooking, 1 Kings 17.

B) His Challenge & Valor

As we have read, oil was important to the religious and the daily life of the Children of Israel. Joash was assigned by the king to oversee his cellars of oil, but he done it in anonymity and without fanfare. I dare say that most Christians are never in the limelight, as most serve in obscurity. Just as most all of our body parts function without being seen, the same can be said for most servants of the Lord. We are to remain faithful, even without fanfare.

Just as Joash was entrusted to be the keeper of the king's oil, each one of us have been entrusted with the Holy Spirit. Oil was used in the Tabernacle and within the Temple, so that there would ever be a light burning, never to go out. We are to be God's light in this dark world and our light should ever shine.

Oil would bring forth illumination and the same can be said for us, as we study the word of God, we can bring forth truthful illumination to this wicked world.

Oil was used for baking, for mixing in food, and the manna that fell from heaven tasted like oil, which would curb one's appetite, making them full.

Oil was used to pour upon the wounded, just as the Good Samaritan poured oil upon the wounded man, helping his healing.

Oil was mixed with sand, as women used it for exfoliation upon their skin, rubbing the oil and the sand upon their flesh, making the dead skin fall off, so that they felt fresh and revived, surely you can grasp this spiritual concept!!!

Oil was used for anointing, just as God has anointed us to be apart of the family of the king.

Oil is one of the most vital parts of the human body, as bones move back and forth, twisting and turning. The body has something called "lubricin" which helps lubricate our joints, as bone moves upon bone, causing less friction. Surely, you can grasp this concept within the Church of the Living God? We need God's oil within the church to limit and minimize friction. Lubricin is called "Natures Grease" which keeps the body functioning without friction.

The Shunamite Widow's oil never ran out, though she used it over and over throughout the famine. The oil that we have is not earthly and it cannot be measured by a measuring cup, nor is it contained to a bottle, but comes from heaven and is poured upon each of God's children.

God has anointed us with his oil, we have a divine challenge to guard it and to protect it. The world cannot understand the importance of our calling, nor can they understand how God can use us, but we are chosen and we are anointed. I want to challenge you to stay the course and serve the king with all you have.

V - Joash & His Glowing Namesake

1Ch 27:28 KJV And over the olive trees and the sycomore trees that [were] in the low plains [was] Baalhanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil [was] Joash:

We have no real information as to this man known as Joash, but here we are 1,000's of years later, preaching about his calling and his commitment.

A) Joash & His Noted Legacy & Faithfulness

Joash was an unknown, but the king knew him and deemed him to be faithful and his legacy is living on today, as he faithfully watched over the cellars of oil. Joash may not have been known by many people, but we can learn of him.

B) Joash & His Needful Linage & Followers

I want to challenge you to consider your calling and look at the task at hand. Have you been faithful to the Lord and loyal in your commitment? We can become a vital part of the linage and legacy of Joash, as we follow his steps.