Proverbs 27:9 says, “ Oil and perfume make the heart glad, so a man’s counsel is sweet to his friend.”

Psalm 23:5 says, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

Luke 7:44-50 says, “44 Turning toward the woman, He [Yeshua] said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. 47 For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” 49 Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” 50 And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

The IVP Commentary says this about “Anointing with Oil. “Banqueters in the ancient world were often treated by a generous host to fine oils that would be used to anoint their foreheads. This provided not only a glistening sheen to their countenance but also would have added a fragrance to their persons and the room. For example, an Assyrian text from Esarhaddon’s reign describes how he “drenched the foreheads” of his guests at a royal banquet with “choicest oils.” Oil preserved the complexion in the hot Middle Eastern climate.”

In John 15:14 Yeshua says, “You are My friends if you do what I command you.” He also says in Matthew 28:20b “and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” This is powerful counsel and a comforting promise from Yeshua!! The woman in Luke 7, who was very much a sinner, did not use her perfumed oil for allurement as she normally would, but willingly showed her love and gratefulness to her Redeemer through her acts of “washing and drying His feet with her tears and anointing His feet with her costly oil.  Without even realizing it, she was preparing Yeshua for His upcoming burial. In turn, she received forgiveness for her sins.  Normally a specific sacrifice would have to be made for her sins to be forgiven. But what you see in all that she did, though it may not be the exact form and method of giving an offering for sin, the function and message to Yeshua was; therefore she received what she needed from the only One who could give it to her…forgiveness!!

So to summarize, when we have a Biblical and cultural understanding of what these practices meant in their day, we can then gain the insight of these verses.  In the dry and arid land in which they lived, dirty and dusty feet would be the norm, as would dry and stinking skin.  To be refreshed by the host with having your dusty feet washed and your head scorched from the sun soothed with oil and the foul smell that was exchanged for the sweet smelling aroma, this would be considered a great blessing!!!  So the comparison is, when one is in need of an answer and the Spirit sends the counsel required, it should be viewed as a “sweet smelling and soothing aroma” from a friend.

Have a blessed and shalom filled day!!

Tammy

Courtesy of
River of Life Tabernacle
Tammy McLendon
Great peace have they who love Your law. Psalm 119:165a