July 30, 2023
Jehovah-M’Kaddesh
Psalms 23:5b & Leviticus 20:7-8
There are 100 million genetic markers in the human genome. Scientists have recently discovered that of those 100 million genetic markers there are about 285 that will dictate how susceptible you are to bug bites. I recently discovered that I was blessed with the genetics to make bugs like me more than 80% of the people in the world. So when I read the second part of the 23rd Psalm and understand what King David is talking about, I am able to identify with those sheep very well.
Psalms 23:5b
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Sheep (like me evidently) are very susceptible to bug attacks. From flies to parasites, they have a tendency to be overwhelmed by all sorts of pests. That’s when a good shepherd will come along and pour oil (mixed with a few other things) over their head to keep these problem bugs away. David would have been very well acquainted with this practice. Why did David use the word “anoint” instead of pour? Remember we have been looking at how the character of God has been revealed here in the 23rd Psalm. I believe he chose this word to reveal the last characteristic of God in the - God is Jehovah-M’Kaddesh, the Lord who sanctifies.
We need to understand that anointing and sanctification go hand in hand. While we see some references to the anointing being about grooming (Ruth 3:3) and hospitality (Luke 7:46), we see it referenced most when God would set someone apart or sanctify them. This happened in the life of David when he was anointed by Samuel to be the next King of Israel. In the Book of Leviticus we see sanctification and anointing almost synonymous. Moses was commanded by God to consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve as priests. They were anointed by Moses with oil (Leviticus 8:30) and were set apart (sanctified) for ministry to a Holy God. It’s also in Leviticus 20:7-8 where we see God give Himself the name, Jehovah-M’Kaddesh.
Leviticus 20:7-8
7 So set yourselves apart to be holy, for I am the Lord your God. 8 Keep all my decrees by putting them into practice, for I am the Lord who makes you holy.
In the book of Leviticus we see a call from God to the children of Israel to be different from all the pagan nations that surrounded them. They were to set themselves apart, to sanctify themselves, and to make themselves holy. God tells them the law He is giving them is what will do just that. He commands them to be holy just like God is holy. God is the one who makes them holy, not the law, but the lawgiver. All throughout their history God called the children of Israel to be sanctified, holy, and set apart by His law and the sacrificial system. Then God gave a promise through the prophets of a coming Messiah which literally means “The anointed one”. Jesus came and declared Himself the anointed one in Luke 4:18 for those who have made Him the Lord of their lives are anointed with the Holy Spirit as well (1 John 2:20, 2 Corinthians 1:21-22). We who are saved are anointed by the Holy Spirit, set apart, sanctified, and will continue the process of sanctification until we are called home. We have experienced Jehovah-M’Kaddesh.
Just like with the sheep, our anointing and sanctification requires cooperation and obedience on our part. As the sheep were anointed with oil and sanctified in that way, we are sanctified by the Word of God (John 17:17, Hebrew 12:14). We have recently talked about the sanctification process in the lives of believers and one day that process will be completed in glorification when we are changed in an instant on that side of eternity. So instead of rehashing those points, I want to ask the question. Why did those sheep need to be anointed? Why do we need to be anointed and sanctified as well?
We are anointed for protection
As we talked about before, bugs can be a real problem for sheep - more than just a minor annoyance. I’ll spare you the details, but there are insects that can cause extreme illness, blindness, and even cause so much pain that a sheep will end up killing itself trying to get relief from it. When the shepherd anoints them with oil, it is to protect them from these possible problems. When we are saved the Good Shepherd anoints and sanctifies us for our protection as well. What are we protected from?
It’s protection from sin.
In its most severe form, we all know that any sin leads to death (Romans 6:23). However when we are saved we know we are forgiven and don’t have to worry about the second death. Usually we don’t think that sin can harm us anymore, but it does. In speaking to fellow believers, James said (in James 1:14-15) “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entices us and drags us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. When sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.” This means that the consequences of sin are still there for believers and God’s Word (when we allow ourselves to be sanctified by it) moves us away from that danger towards being Christlike. God gives us this to protect us from the harm of this world for sometimes it’s just a minor annoyance, sometimes it can cost us, and sometimes it can even lead to death. As Christians, we are not resistant to the consequences of sin. God does sanctify us in His Word in order to remove ourselves from those temptations that lead us into sin.
It’s protection from each other.
Sheep tend to butt heads. They can hurt each other when they do, and it’s for a variety of reasons: greed, jealousy, envy, and pride. When they are anointed and then they try to butt heads they often just slip right by each other, not injuring the other or themselves. They were protected because they were anointed, our anointing / sanctification gives us the same protection. Titus 3:3 tells us we once lived in malice and envy, hating and being hated by others. It’s part of our sinful nature. When God saves us and sanctifies us by His Word, He tells us stuff like, “Love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8), and “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others"(Philippians 2:3-5). In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. These words that sanctify us and protect us from ourselves and our foolish pride. It will also protect those who might get in the way of our selfish outburst.
We are anointed to give us purpose.
A suffering sheep is not much good in the long run to the shepherd. Whatever the sheep is meant for, it will not find its purpose when it is sick and suffering. That’s why the shepherd anoints its head with oil, it protects. With the sheep being protected the purpose the shepherd has for it can be fulfilled. The same goes for us. We are given God’s Word to prepare us for the purpose that God has for us. 2 Timothy tells us in verse 20 of chapter 2 that there are tools used for special things and tools used for normal things. This verse encourages us to keep ourselves pure (obedient to God’s Word) so we can be a tool used for special things and to be ready for every good work that God gives. 1 Peter 2:9 tells us that we are not like what we used to be. We are sanctified and set apart to tell others about the goodness of God. God will use all for His glory. How much He trusts you with in life is dependent on what you’ve done with what He has given you so far. Are you obedient? Then you will be trusted with more. If you haven’t been obedient on that path to sanctification you will be trusted with less.
We are anointed to be blessed.
Obedience to God’s Word always leads to blessing and not just a little blessing, but so much blessing that our cup runs over. We see this played out in Luke 5 through Simon’s life. After fishing all night and not catching anything Jesus asks him to go out a little further and put the nets down again. He did and was so blessed with fish that the boat almost sank (talk about your cup overflowing). It is all through obedience to God’s Word that we get to experience these blessings in our lives. It’s not that God wants to keep us from things that the world says are fun, but He wants to protect us and to experience the blessings that He has in store for us. He can’t do it when we still seek after sin in our lives, because how can He bless something He has already condemned. Rather He blesses us when we are obedient to Him. He is Jehovah-M’Keddesh. He wants what’s best for us, we just have to be willing to follow.
