Sanctification: Material Things Sanctified by Anointing
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In the biblical context, sanctification refers to the process of setting apart a person, place, or object for a holy purpose. This act of consecration is often accompanied by anointing, a ritual that involves the application of oil as a symbol of divine blessing and dedication to God. The anointing of material things is a significant practice in the Old Testament, reflecting the belief that God's presence and favor can be invoked upon objects used in worship and service.

Anointing of the Tabernacle and Its Furnishings

One of the most detailed accounts of sanctification through anointing is found in the consecration of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. In Exodus 30:26-29, God instructs Moses to anoint the Tabernacle and everything within it: "With it you are to anoint the Tent of Meeting, the Ark of the Testimony, the table and all its utensils, the lampstand and its utensils, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand. You are to consecrate them so that they will be most holy; whatever touches them will be holy" . This passage underscores the sanctity imparted to these objects, designating them as holy and set apart for divine service.

Anointing of the Priestly Garments

The garments worn by the priests also underwent sanctification through anointing. In Exodus 29:21, God commands Moses to take some of the anointing oil and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments, as well as on his sons and their garments. This act of anointing served to consecrate the priests and their attire, signifying their role as mediators between God and the people: "And you shall take some of the blood on the altar and some of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments, as well as on his sons and their garments. In this way, he and his garments will be consecrated, as well as his sons and their garments" .

Anointing of Kings and Leaders

Beyond the Tabernacle and priestly garments, anointing was also used to sanctify leaders, particularly kings, as seen in the anointing of Saul and David. While this primarily pertains to individuals, the anointing of a king also symbolically sanctified the throne and the kingdom. In 1 Samuel 10:1, Samuel anoints Saul as king: "Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, 'Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?'" . Similarly, David's anointing in 1 Samuel 16:13 marks the divine selection and sanctification of his future reign.

Anointing of Sacred Objects in the Temple

The practice of anointing continued with the construction of Solomon's Temple. In 1 Kings 8, during the dedication of the Temple, Solomon acknowledges the sanctity of the place and the objects within it, although the specific act of anointing is not detailed in this chapter. The Temple and its sacred objects were understood to be set apart for God's presence and worship, continuing the tradition of sanctification through anointing.

Symbolism and Significance

The anointing of material things in the Bible serves as a powerful symbol of God's presence and blessing. It signifies the transformation of ordinary objects into vessels of divine purpose. This practice reflects the belief that God's holiness can permeate the physical world, setting apart spaces and objects for His glory and service. Through anointing, the sacredness of God's covenant with His people is manifested in tangible forms, reinforcing the connection between the divine and the material.
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Exodus 40:9-11
And you shall take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shall hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy.
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Texts Explained; Secondly, Psalm Xlv. 7, 8 Whether the Words ...
... is here said that all things originate' partake ... connection is there between the
sanctification of Christ's ... course in such statements nothing material is implied ...
/.../chapter xii texts explained secondly psalm.htm

Scriptural Types.
... among them." Exod.25:8. The material sanctuary, then ... merciful and faithful High Priest
in things pertaining to ... on which the work of personal sanctification rests ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

Whether There Can be any Suitable Cause for the Sacraments of the ...
... Law, which were ordained to the sanctification of man. ... the rational, made of the
same material; it was ... changed color according to the various things which were ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be any 2.htm

Book xi. The Apostle in his Letter to the Ephesians, Reviewing in ...
... Thus is testified the sanctification of His flesh, and in this ... He does not lack things
that are of Him and ... as a spiritual (as opposed to a material) Being: cf. ...
/.../the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/book xi the apostle in.htm

They Shall be Called the Children of God
... birth produced by the Word as the material cause (James 1 ... in a believer, the work
of sanctification, when he ... earth, because thou hast hid these things from the ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/19 they shall be called.htm

From the Close of the General Conference in 1796, to the ...
... who could supply his place, without material detriment to ... into the house, he beheld
these things with a ... upon believers was that of sanctification, or holiness ...
/.../chapter 3 from the close.htm

Introduction to Oration ii.
... mind, as is the case with our material bodies, [2641 ... the shepherds shall suffer such
and such things, as bad ... known before he was formed, and sanctified from the ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/introduction to oration ii.htm

part ii
... and vigour of the spiritual and material powers, but ... from every impurity, and sanctified
them by eternal sanctification. ... and to "seek those things which are ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

Some Gospel Truths Opened, According to the Scriptures; Or, the ...
... not many noble are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the ... taken these
three heavenly degrees, to wit, union with Christ, the anointing of the ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/some gospel truths opened according.htm

Resources
What is the Keswick movement, and is it biblical? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Oswald Chambers? | GotQuestions.org

What is glorification? | GotQuestions.org

Sanctification: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Sanctification

Sanctification in Christ

Sanctification is Separation to the Service of God

Sanctification: All Israel Sanctified

Sanctification: All Saints are in a State of

Sanctification: Christ Made, of God, to Us

Sanctification: Effected by Christ

Sanctification: Effected by God

Sanctification: Effected by The Holy Spirit

Sanctification: Firstborn of Israelites Sanctified

Sanctification: God Wills all Saints to Have

Sanctification: Material Things Sanctified by Anointing

Sanctification: Ministers: Set Apart to God's Service By

Sanctification: Ministers: should Exhort Their People to Walk In

Sanctification: Ministers: should Pray That Their People May Enjoy Complete

Sanctification: None Can Inherit the Kingdom of God Without

Sanctification: Offering up of Saints Acceptable Through

Sanctification: Saints Elected to Salvation Through

Sanctification: Saints Fitted for the Service of God By

Sanctification: should Lead to Holiness

Sanctification: should Lead to Mortification of Sin

Sanctification: Tabernacle Sanctified by God's Presence

Sanctification: The Alter Sanctifies the Gift

Sanctification: The Church Made Glorious By

Sanctification: The Lord is the Sanctifier

Sanctification: Through the Atonement of Christ

Sanctification: Through the Word of God

Sanctification: Typified

Sanctification: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

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Slaves (119 Occurrences)

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Sanctified (105 Occurrences)

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Uncleanness (56 Occurrences)

Saved (183 Occurrences)

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Outcome (26 Occurrences)

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Firstborn (119 Occurrences)

First-born (110 Occurrences)

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Reap (35 Occurrences)

Resulting (7 Occurrences)

Enslaved (18 Occurrences)

Establishing (18 Occurrences)

Deliverance (86 Occurrences)

Derive (1 Occurrence)

Destined (25 Occurrences)

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Multiplied (109 Occurrences)

Modesty (4 Occurrences)

Members (54 Occurrences)

Presented (114 Occurrences)

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Childbearing (5 Occurrences)

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Consisting (6 Occurrences)

Weak (102 Occurrences)

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Abidan (5 Occurrences)

Avoid (31 Occurrences)

Ablution

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Sobriety (3 Occurrences)

Sprinkled (55 Occurrences)

Regeneration (2 Occurrences)

Sexual (59 Occurrences)

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Sprinkling (48 Occurrences)

Abundance (194 Occurrences)

Vessel (118 Occurrences)

Further (121 Occurrences)

Defilement (12 Occurrences)

Foreknowledge (2 Occurrences)

Possess (193 Occurrences)

Sanctification: God Wills all Saints to Have
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