September 15 – Olives for Oil

Jacob set up a stone pillar on the spot where God had spoken with him. He poured a drink offering on it and anointed it with oil. Jacob dedicated the place where God had spoken with him, Bethel (God’s-House). Genesis 35:14-15 (The Message)

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:13-16 (NIV)

Can you imagine picking olives from trees that are 2000 years old? Well—it happens every year on olive trees in many Mediterranean countries, including Israel. It is amazing that the trees have produced fruit for all those years. They are knurled and twisted—and oh the stories those trees could tell, if only they could talk.

Oil from the olives is like a like a miracle medicine being useful externally, as well as an important ingredient in cooking. It is suppose to be good for arthritis, joint pain or backaches when massaged in addition to a few drops of cayenne powder, lavender or chamomile oil. Home remedies for colds, coughs and sore throats include rubbing the chest with olive oil or crushing black olives in olive oil, warming slightly and applying to neck. Cover with a soft cloth and then a warm water bottle.

Olive oil in food adds vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A and E, calcium and magnesium, as well as amino acids, omega 3 and other antioxidants. It can be used in many cooked or sautéed dishes as well as in salad dressings. The oil that is pressed from the olives first is the best and will be labeled as First Press. Since the oil from ripe black olives is more alkaline and thus better for our bodies, it is best to purchase that, not oil extracted from green unripe fruit.

One of the uses of oil, as eluted to in the scripture above, is for anointing. Jacob and others used oil, probably olive oil, for anointing places and things, as well as people. Jesus was anointed with expensive oil in an alabaster jar shortly before his crucifixion, as told in the books of Mark (14) and John (11). The book of James tells us to anoint others when praying for them—a custom that has continued today. Are you needing prayer? It doesn’t matter if it is a physical, emotional or spiritual need, prayer can make a difference. Ask a friend or pastor to pray for you and to anoint you with oil. It likely will be olive oil. Believe, ask, pray and you will be blessed.

Dear Jesus, please give us your peace, strength, health in our bodies and minds, and hope with your healing touch. We praise you for you are still the great physician, as well as our counselor, friend, savior…and God.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.