Topical Bible: Anointing: Deprivation of, Threatened As a Punishment

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In the biblical context, anointing signifies the consecration and empowerment of individuals for specific roles and tasks, often associated with kings, priests, and prophets. The deprivation of anointing, therefore, represents a significant withdrawal of divine favor and authority, often threatened as a punishment for disobedience or unfaithfulness to God.

Biblical Instances and Implications

1. King Saul's Rejection: One of the most prominent examples of the deprivation of anointing as a punishment is found in the narrative of King Saul. Initially anointed by the prophet Samuel to be the first king of Israel, Saul's repeated disobedience to God's commands led to the withdrawal of divine favor. In 1 Samuel 15:26, Samuel tells Saul, "I will not return with you, because you have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you as king over Israel." This rejection signifies the removal of Saul's anointing, as God subsequently instructs Samuel to anoint David as the new king (1 Samuel 16:1).

2. The Warning to Solomon: Solomon, despite his wisdom and the initial favor he received from God, was warned of the potential loss of his kingdom due to idolatry and turning away from God's statutes. In 1 Kings 11:11, the LORD says to Solomon, "Since you have done this and have not kept My covenant and statutes, which I commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant." Although Solomon's anointing as king was not immediately revoked, the threat of losing his kingdom served as a divine warning of the consequences of unfaithfulness.

3. The Prophets' Warnings: Throughout the prophetic books, the theme of losing divine anointing as a punishment is recurrent. The prophets often warned Israel and Judah that their persistent idolatry and injustice would lead to the loss of God's favor and protection. For instance, in Hosea 9:1, the prophet declares, "Do not rejoice, O Israel, with exultation like the nations! For you have been unfaithful to your God; you love the wages of a prostitute at every threshing floor." This unfaithfulness threatened the nation's status as God's anointed people, leading to exile and suffering.

4. Symbolic Anointing and Its Removal: Anointing is also symbolic of the Holy Spirit's presence and empowerment. In Psalm 51:11, David pleads, "Do not cast me away from Your presence; do not take Your Holy Spirit from me." This plea reflects the fear of losing the anointing of the Spirit due to sin, highlighting the spiritual dimension of anointing beyond physical consecration.

Theological Significance

The deprivation of anointing as a punishment underscores the conditional nature of God's favor based on covenantal faithfulness. It serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of obedience and the consequences of turning away from God's commands. The anointing, while a gift of grace, requires stewardship and alignment with God's will. The biblical narrative consistently emphasizes that the loss of anointing is not merely a personal setback but a profound spiritual consequence affecting the individual's relationship with God and their role within the community of faith.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 28:40
You shall have olive trees throughout all your coasts, but you shall not anoint yourself with the oil; for your olive shall cast his fruit.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Micah 6:15
You shall sow, but you shall not reap; you shall tread the olives, but you shall not anoint you with oil; and sweet wine, but shall not drink wine.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Narrative of Events at Alexandria in the Time of Lucius the Arian ...
... from time to time as it were anointing themselves with ... flowed a river of tears which
threatened to overwhelm ... horror felt by the Greeks at deprivation of the ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xix narrative of events at.htm

Significance of Compulsory Service.
... the threat of it, that is"deprivation of freedom ... by those who believe in the
consecration by anointing. ... though the United States are not threatened with any ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter vii significance of compulsory.htm

Light for them that Sit in Darkness;
... for their sins; wherefore he that will save them must answer Divine justice, or
God must lie, in saving them without inflicting the punishment threatened. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/light for them that sit.htm

part ii
... upon earth, having taken our nature upon Him; He Himself became my Teacher, my Healer,
my Worker of miracles, my Saviour; He Himself bore the punishment for us ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm