Wise Men Bring Oil

Whenever anything is mentioned in the Bible the first time it is good to take note of it.  It will set the tone for that topic throughout the whole context of the bible.   I want to bring out the first mention of essential oils in the bible and talk about it's context in light of what God is doing in my life. We see the first mention of oils in Genesis 37. It is the story where Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery because of their jealousy. That is it in a nut shell right there. . being sold out to Slavery because of Jealousy. . I want to point out that Religion or Man's way of doing things is NOT the way God wants us to do things. Religion comes from the Latin word ligare, 'that which binds,' (Molecules of Emotion, Candace B. Pert. Ph.D.) In Prophetic History we are in the last of the Seven Churches mentioned in the book of Revelation. It is the Laodicean church or the 'Rule of the People'. I think we can all agree if we really take a look at things that it is human will that runs most churches and NOT God's Will. Probably the most driving spirit in the church is the competitive spirit or if you want to get biblical it's called a Jealous spirit. This spirit takes the place of the spirit of The Fear of the Lord and rules over the people causing them to be in competition for God's Love. However God wants us to receive His Unconditional Love in the Fear of the Lord. When we come into this Fear we will really see the freedom in the church we long to see. When the Spirit of the Lord is made Lord in the Church there is Liberty true freedom. Ok back to Genesis 37 and the story of Joseph. Now Joseph was favored of his father because he was the son of his beloved Rachael. (even though the bible says it was because he was the son of his "old age", I think it really means son of the promise) but we know that he loved Rachael and after he was given her sister who was older first he delighted to work yet another seven years for her, then her womb was closed up for a long time and finally they have Joseph, which took away her reproach. Joseph's brothers hated him because their father loved him more or had favor on him. So, his brothers conspired against him and even plotted his death. They threw him to the wild beast but Rueben said no let us not kill him but leave him in the pit. As they ate there lunch near by ( how ruthless they just toss there brother in the pit to die and sit down to enjoy their lunch but God used it for Good ! ) they noticed a company of Ishmelites coming from Gildad with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going down to Egypt. Judah, one of the brothers, propositions the other brothers that they profit from Joseph and sell him into the hands of the Ishmelites. So they sold him to some Midianite merchantmen for 20 pieces of silver, and they took Joseph to Egypt. Joseph was then sold by the Midianites to Potiphar and officer of Pharaoh's and captain of the guard. Take note that it was the men carrying spices and balms and myrrh that Joseph found himself among during his trials and testing. Can you imaging the grief that Joseph was experiencing when the reality of his brothers plotting to kill him and then selling him strikes his heart. I think God knew exactly what he needed to maintain. Proverbs 27:9 says; Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel. I can imagine that nobody there in that camp of traveling Midianites could offer consolation to Joseph but the smells they carried lifted his spirit to meet the road ahead of him. Hebrews 1:9 says; Thou has loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even YOUR God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your brethren. Hmm is there a correlation between overcoming trials , and deep betrayal and the oil of gladness. I have found this to be true in my life. There are things that I literally did not think that I could make it through for fear that my heart would literally break under the weight of heaviness but God broke through. I have found that using Therapeutic grade essential oils in my daily life have enabled me to release grief, fear, betrayal, and that spirit of heaviness. Along with other spiritual disciplines the tears I have sown have given me Joy in the Morning. Rev 22:2 The leaves on the trees are for the healing of the Nations, Ezek. 47:12. . and the leaf thereof shall be for medicine. Song of Solomon 1:6 (Going back to the theme being 'Sold out to Slavery by Jealousy') it says, Look not upon me because I am dark, for the sun has made me tan, my mother's children (step siblings) hated me and MADE me to work in their vineyards but mine own , vineyard, I have not kept. So tell me why do we continue to serve Religion and the 'local' church and not follow thy will for our own lives and come into Thy Kingdom Come Thy Will be Done?  I think it is a  bondage to Jealousy ! As I have been going deeper in the Lord I am coming to know that the true Joy of the Lord is my strength. When intimidation, fear or competition pressure me to go this way or go that way or to spend time in another vineyard, more then my own,  Joy breaks in to overcome. I am then  free in peace to pursue the heart God gave me in union with His for His Kingdom Sake ! Isaiah 14 says; and it shall come to pass in the day that the Lord shall give you rest from your sorrow and from fear and from the hard bondage that you were 'MADE to serve' in, that you shall take up this proverb or taunt against the King of Babylon. . . . so be free today. .take some time to stop. .drop to your knees and smell the roses and open up your heart to His Unconditional love for you. . . and let the others go bye bye. .until you can serve in the Joy of the Lord !