A spiritual look at oil
“Consecration; charity; gentleness; prayer; heavenly inspiration”—these words spiritually define oil (Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 592). A dedicated student of the Bible, Mrs. Eddy found deep meaning in scriptural mentions of this vital substance.
In ancient times, oil met many essential needs—including food, heat, illumination, cleansing, anointing, and worship. A moving Hebrew Bible account describes a destitute widow whose sons were to be enslaved to pay her debts. When the prophet Elisha directed her to borrow as many empty containers as she could, God multiplied her last bit of oil until it filled them all—proof of His loving care and abundant supply (see II Kings 4:1–7).
Recognizing that hosts commonly honored guests by pouring oil on their heads, a psalmist writes of God, “Thou anointest my head with oil” (Psalms 23:5). Anointing kings and princes with oil purified them for service. And in Christ Jesus’ parable of the good Samaritan, oil brought relief to an injured man (see Luke 10:25–37).
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