Psalm 23 #10– The Shepherd’s Anointing

“You anoint my head with oil”

In Bible times oil was frequently used for medicinal purposes. In Palestine they often used a combination of olive oil, sulphur, and spices. Oil was used by shepherds to cure scab, a highly contagious disease among sheep.

“Bugs bug people, but they can kill sheep,” wrote Max Lucado in Safe in The Shepherd’s Arms. “Flies, mosquitoes, and gnats can turn the summer into a time of torture for the livestock. Consider nose flies, for example. If they succeed in depositing their eggs into the membrane of the sheep’s nose, the eggs become worm-like larvae, which drive the sheep insane.

Phillip Keller explains, “For relief from this agonizing annoyance, sheep will deliberately beat their heads against trees, rock posts, or brush…In extreme cases of intense infestation, a sheep may even kill itself in a frenzied endeavor to gain respite from the aggravation.”

The problems of these pests can impact the entire flock of sheep, affecting their sleep, eating habits, and production of milk to feed the lambs.

Thus, the good shepherd will anoint the heads of the sheep with an oil-like repellent that prevents insects from bothering the sheep, minimizing disease, and producing peace in the flock.

The metaphor is obvious and striking as we think of the Good Shepherd’s providential care, abundant provisions, and spiritual blessings.

Life, as we all have experienced to a lesser or greater degree, is filled with petty annoyances, nagging doubts, and aggravating attitudes of others. The relationships with some people, and sadly some brethren, are as irritating as a pesky gnat flying around our head on a hot summer day.

Then there are serious situations that move beyond mere aggravation. People butt heads, get wounded, lose heart, grow weak, and become susceptible to spiritual disease.

The Shepherd doesn’t want our wounds to worsen and our hurts to become fatal. “He made us and we belong to Him; we are His people, the sheep He tends” (Ps. 100:3).

In John’s first epistle he speaks of our “anointing from the Holy One” (2:20,27). Could this refer to “the gift of the Holy Spirit (Ax. 2:38), whom Paul says “helps us in our weakness” and intercedes on our behalf before the throne of God (Rom. 8:26-27)? This text promises Christians that the Holy Spirit’s intercession to the Father is profound and intense “with groanings too deep for words.” The Spirit makes supplication on behalf of suffering saints. What a wonderful and comforting thought.

Through our faithful and fervent prayers and the intercessory work of the Holy Spirit on our behalf, we can count on our Father to hear, to heed, and to heal. Indeed as the Psalmist penned, “He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds” (Ps. 147:3).

Do you understand this? How the Spirit works? How God in His providence can comfort us and provide peace? Probably not any more than sheep could understand how oil could repel insects and heal their wounds. But it did. And we can know that God will provide for us an anointing when we need it.

Furthermore, it’s worth noting that the role God has entrusted to the Shepherds of the church is to watch for souls. To tend the flock. To see to our needs not only spiritually, but even physically. The Bible says,
“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven” (Jas. 5:16-17).

The anointing metaphor speaks to the care of our earthly shepherds to encourage, instruct, and pray for both the physically and spiritually ill. But it also reminds us the Good Shepherd can heal the sin-sick soul.

The Psalmist, David, received God’s anointing to reign as Israel’s King and enjoy a special relationship with Him. As a shepherd boy he anointed his sheep to protect and care for them.

Christians today receive the Shepherd’s anointing and enjoy help, hope, healing, and spiritual blessings, as well as the prospect of eternal salvation.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman