2. We Are Anointed by the Spirit (v. 2). At his ordination, the high priest was anointed with the special oil that was compounded according to the directions God gave Moses (Ex. 30:22-33). He and the other priests were also sprinkled with the oil and the blood from the sacrifices (Ex. 29:1-9, 21). In Scripture, oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit (Isa. 61:1-3; Zech. 4; Luke 4:17-19; Acts 10:38), for this anointing was given to priests, prophets, and kings, all of whom needed the Spirit’s help to be able to minister effectively (1 Sam. 16:13). We often hear Christians pray for “an anointing of the Spirit” on God’s servants, yet each true believer has already been anointed of God. This anointing establishes us so that we do not fall (2 Cor. 1:21-22) and enlightens us so that we do not go astray (1 John 2:20, 27). Every believer needs this strengthening and teaching ministry of God’s Spirit.

When the high priest was anointed, the oil ran down his beard to the front of his body and over his collar. This suggests that the oil “bathed” the twelve precious stones that he wore on the breastplate over his heart, and this “bathing” is a picture of spiritual unity. When God’s people walk in the Spirit, they forget about the externals and major on the eternal things of the Spirit. Externals divide us–gender, wealth, appearance, ethnic prejudices, social or political standing–while the Spirit brings us together, and we glorify Christ.