Thou anoinst my head with oil, my cup runneth over
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
We need to think of this Psalm as a year in the life of sheep and shepherd. We began in the winter grazing grounds and have followed the Good Shepherd along the right paths, through the valleys, and onto a mesa. It’s summer time, we are on the mesa for 2 reasons, better grazing and cooler weather. And now after all this, we discover we are going to have oil applied. The oil would have been olive oil, but it was much more than olive oil, several different herbs and spices, and a dye of some color. The color was added to be easily seen and fragrance to make it sweet smelling.
Here’s an interesting note concerning words. Thou anoint in Hebrew is one word and so is with oil; both are compound words and both have the same root word - Messiah. The Hebrew word for with oil transliterated into the Greek is Gethsemane. Incredible. To understand the teaching, again let’s turn our attention to the sheep.
Why were the sheep anointed with oil?
Why were the sheep anointed with oil?
Fly Infestation
Fly Infestation
For the shepherd, summertime is fly time. We don’t think much about flies, just get the fly swatter. But sheep have a difficult time with flies. There are several flies that harm sheep, but the most common type is the nasal fly. If the fly were to lay it’s eggs on the moist nasal mucosa, upon hatching the parasitic larva make their way to the brain, effecting the sheep in several ways; three of which are insanity, blindness, and even death.
The sheep have a natural defensive measure for the flies, they like to rub their nose in the ground, they also like to run into the low lying bushes were the flies are not so numerous, they will also bob their heads like a bobble doll, or they will run. When running they have been know to run off cliffs or run until totally exhausted, or dead. They will also loose weight. The Good Shepherd, observing his flock, anoints them with oil at the first sign of flies.
When the shepherd anoints the sheep with the oil, the sheep are immediately relived, they resume their grazing, they can once again lay down in peace and contentment.
Have you ever noticed when you are on a spiritual mountain top that’s when you develop a fly in the ointment? Those little distractions that just drive us crazy? Sometimes it’s the things in life we have no control over. I change from a person following the shepherd, living in peace and contentment to a person filled with frustration. But I don’t have to be this way.
John 14:15-17
King James Version Chapter 14
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Now I realize, as a Christian, the Holy Spirit lives within me, but just like the sheep, one application of the oil did not protect them all summer, they had to have multiple doses applied. In the Book of Acts, careful reading will demonstrate there is only one baptism, but multiple fillings of the Holy Spirit. Just like the disciples, all we have to do is ask.
Luke 11:13
King James Version Chapter 11
13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
When we are swamped with distractions, cry out to the Good Shepherd for another anointing or filling…He desires for us to have a life of peace and contentment.
Scab Infection
Scab Infection
Scab is a skin disease caused by a microscopic parasite; it is both irritating and highly contagious. It is not airborne like Covid, but spread like direct contact.
Sheep like to rub heads together, therefore spreading the disease…Remember in the Old Testament sacrificial system, the lamb was to be without blemish? The blemish was scab infection. The best way to prevent the spread of the disease was either to anoint the head in oil or if scab disease was located somewhere else, dip the entire sheep in a vat of prepared oil. (Uncle Arthur dipping dogs for mange.)
As believers we do not rub our heads together, but we do “get our heads together,” to share thoughts, ideas, emotions, and sometimes it’s with non-believers. We, too, can become contaminated. Sin enters through our mind, books, media, and friends can influence and infect us. All can be prevented by a verse:
Phil. 4:8
King James Version Chapter 4
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are shonest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Prevent Injury
Prevent Injury
As summer turns to fall, it becomes the season of the rut. Mating season, the rams square off against each other to win the affection of a ewe. They don’t hold back, they charge each other with all their might. They can break off horns, break necks, and/or cause some other bodily damage.
In order to protect the rams, the shepherd applies grease to their heads. Then when the rams collide they just slide off one another, preventing any damage to the animal.
We may not butt heads but we do a lot of knocking each other, battered and bruised feelings or emotions are the result. Each person desires to be the top sheep. Jealousy and rivalry brought on by pride. Brethren this ought not to be.
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
We ought to be content---our cup runneth over!
When we get infected by disappointment, or bruised feelings, or refection, or depression; remember
Know ye that the Lord he is God:
It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
God wants to tend to His sheep. David the Psalm writer, took his hurts to God, a good example for us to follow.
He healeth the broken in heart,
And bindeth up their wounds.
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
May I point out one other thing. The sheep, in order to be anointed with oil, had to come into the presence of the shepherd and bow there heads. That is they had to humble themselves.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
The sheep does not know why the oil does what it does, it just knows it changes things.
Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed,
Let not mine enemies triumph over me.
Need a fresh anointing? Ask!