Oil is referenced in the scriptures numerous times and served many purposes. Unless otherwise mentioned, the oil referenced in scripture is olive oil. In Jewish life, olive oil was used in the tabernacle to light the menorah and anoint kings and priests. It was used in lighting lamps, as well as cooking and medicine. The oil could be used for general and holy purposes.
The oil can also be a representation of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), as is referenced with the parable of the ten virgins (Mt. 25:1-13)
The method for obtaining the oil must go through a crushing process. This is a significant point, and we will refer to it later.
The olive tree is symbolic of the Jewish people. In the process of making oil, the olives must be crushed. The Jews relate to this analogy, as their people have been through adversity and have been crushed as well. Gentile believers are likened to a wild olive branch grafted into the olive tree. There are many remarkable connections to be made with the olive oil and olive tree.
Three times the phrase “Oil of Joy (or Gladness) is referenced. We want to take some time to explore these three mentions in scripture and its usage.
The first reference is in Psalms 45:7 (NKJV), “You love righteousness and hate wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”
The law of first mention best describes the word in its context. Joy or gladness is from the Hebrew word Sason (H8342). It represents whiteness, as in white linen, two front teeth, or being bright with cheer.
This oil of joy cannot be experienced until we are in right standing with the Father. When we are in right standing, walking in righteousness, and having no affiliation with wickedness, then the Father will anoint us with joy, representing whiteness. It is also mentioned that “you will be anointed more than your companions.” Oil, in the Word of G-d, is used to anoint people whom G-d has set apart for His service. Being joyful is a commandment for those set apart, such as you shall rejoice before your G-d, (Lev 23:40)
The second reference is in Isaiah 61:3, “To grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
The same Hebrew word “Sason” is used for gladness. Yet, this verse is not talking about being anointed with joy because we are walking in righteousness and hating wickedness, as it was mentioned in Psalms. Instead, the joy is given or granted to replace the mourning. Just as the crushed olive produces rich oil, so can the person who is crushed and grieving receive a rich oil of gladness or joy in the end.
Yashua is the foundational example of being crushed. He was “crushed” for our iniquities (Is 53:5). Yahshua has represented the “anointed oil of joy” more than anyone else in the Word of G-d! Yahshua longs for us to share in His joy, and He tells us how to do it!
Once we understand Yahshua Messiah’s joy, it will thoroughly change our perspective of the world we live in.
Yahshua was willing to be crushed. He willingly entered into the physical brutality of His execution and the spiritual deprivation or abandonment of taking the sin of the whole world upon Himself.
Scripture tells us how and why! It was because of the joy set before Him that He endured the cross.
Hebrews 12:2, (NKJV) “Looking unto Jesus, the author, and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Joy – G5479 Chara – cheerfulness, calm delight, exceeding joy (related to Sason)
The Oil of Joy Represents the Relief and Happiness in Restoration!
One day Yahshua will return like the sower did and reap the reward for His labor. He will gather us to Himself, much like a bridegroom comes to take his bride. This illustration used in scripture describes the covenantal relationship and love between the Messiah and those who place their trust in Him.
The Oil of Joy is Restoration
When we are anointed with the oil of joy, we are restored; white as linen before the Father!
Since the time of the first Jewish disciples and apostles in the New Testament, the Gospel of Yahshua and the One True G-d has been spread around the world, reaching nearly all peoples and groups for restoration.
He is restoring the Jew and Gentile. Luke 21:24, “And they (Jews) will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”
After 2,000 years of crushing desolation and exile, the Jewish People are being restored to their Jewish homeland. When they entered their homeland over 70 years ago, it was a wasteland. Hardly anything would grow there. Yet restoration was prophecied, not only for the people but for the land as well.
Jeremiah 33:10–11, “Here is what Adonai says: “You say that this place is a wasteland, with neither people nor animals in the cities of Y’hudah, (Judah) and that the streets of Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) are desolate, without people or animals — no inhabitants. Yet there will again be heard here the sounds of joy and gladness and the voices of bridegroom and bride, the voices of those who sing, ‘Give thanks to Adonai-Tzva’ot, for Adonai is good, for his grace continues forever,’ as they bring offerings of thanksgiving into the house of Adonai. For I will cause those captured from the land to return, as before,” says Adonai.”
Sounds of Joy – H8057-Simchah -rejoice, spontaneous expression of excitement, and cheer.
The Jewish people who believe in Messiah Yahshua will be rejoicing and praising in the joy of their salvation.
Yashua will bring the oil of joy for those that mourn. He will bring restoration. As mentioned in the first reference of the oil of joy, this is only something the Father can anoint us with because it represents restoration with Him. Only G-d can restore. Therefore, only G-d can anoint us with this oil of joy, with Yahshua as our mediator, the one who was crushed for us. Once the restoration is established, there will be sounds of joy and gladness!
Messiah’s Joy is Rooted in His Grace!
In the kingdom of G-d, Yahshua’s joy is connected by His saving grace, favor, and kindness that G-d extends toward us. Yahshua wants us to be rooted with joy in His saving grace. The compassion that He has extended to us with His final sacrifice, paying the wages of our sins.
The Prophet Zephaniah tells us that in the last days, when G-d removes His judgments against the remnant of the Jewish people, He will be in their midst and exult Himself over them. Zephaniah 3:13–17. Being among the Jewish people is being near the heart of the Father, and His grace to them.
G-d wants our joy to be attached to His grace for us and not affected by the actions and words of the people in the world.
Yahshua is our model for this truth; He did not win everyone’s approval. The crowds adored Yahshua, but the Jewish religious leaders, for the most part, rejected Him. This brought Him great sadness. Luke 19:41, “When Yahshua had come closer and could see the city, he wept over it.”
His motivation and His joy were not based on the opinions of human beings. He was in communion with His Father, who, in turn, was pouring out His love on His precious Son, saying this is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. (Lk 3:22)
The third reference of the oil of joy is found in Hebrews 1:9, “You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you with the oil of joy in preference to your companions.”
G20- gladness, exceeding joy, related to H8342 – Sason
The third reference of the oil of joy brings us back full circle. Now you can understand why the Father can only give the oil of gladness. He is the one who anoints us with redemption. The anointing can only happen when we are in right standing; loving righteousness and hating wickedness. We can only come to this place of righteousness, like white linen, with the atoning grace of Yashua, who endured the suffering when He was crushed for our transgressions. The Israelites experienced suffering while in bondage in Egypt and scattered across the nations. We also endure the suffering and crushing of spiritual bondage from this wicked world and our sinful nature.
The chronological order of these three references of the oil of joy is not by chance. In the first reference, G-d defines the way – we must be in right standing to have the oil of gladness (redemption). In the second reference, He provides the means -through Yahshuah’s suffering. And in the third reference, the original scripture from Psalms 45:7 is restated, bringing confirmation that we can have the oil of joy through this process!
Sowing tears of joy:
Once we are restored with the oil of gladness (redemption), the joy will be immense! To be saved from the darkest of places will cause you to shout praises of relief!
The joy mentioned in these Psalms below is the word “Rinah,” which means a ringing cry of exclamation or praise!
Psalm 126:1-5 (NKJV), “When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’ The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad. Bring back our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the South. Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.”
Psalm 126:6, “He who goes out weeping as he carries his sack of seed will come home with cries of joy as he carries his sheaves of grain. This speaks of a farmer who has poured himself out while scattering much seed. He who goes out weeping as he carries his sack of seed will come home with cries of joy as he carries his sheaves of grain.”
We all will experience suffering. The suffering is necessary for us to die to sin and the things of the world and understand what true redemption means. The thrill of redemption is never fully appreciated unless we have experienced and walked through our suffering.
When the Father anoints you with the oil of joy, it brings restoration from your suffering, light from of your darkness, and peace from the chaos!
Shalom,
Eliyahu Praise
For More Reading:
Olive Oil https://www.chabad.org/kids/article_cdo/aid/114801/jewish/Olive-Oil.htm
The Olive in the Jewish and Israeli culture https://www.jpost.com/PromoContent/The-Olive-in-the-Jewish-and-Israeli-culture-193416
