We are in chapter twenty-seven of Exodus with our word for today which is a phrase used for the first time in the Bible. שֶׁ֣מֶן זַ֥יִת olive oil. It is used 3 times in the Old Testament. Let’s look at the uses starting with our chapter since it is also the first time it is used in the Bible. Exodus 27:20 You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten שֶׁ֣מֶן זַ֥יִת olive oil for the light, that a lamp may regularly be set up to burn. We also see this instruction repeated in the book of Leviticus. Leviticus 24:1-2 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Command the people of Israel to bring you pure שֶׁ֣מֶן זַ֥יִתoil from beaten olives for the lamp, that a light may be kept burning regularly. This oil was the fuel what would allow God’s lamp to stay burning consistently as he commanded for the early tabernacle worship.

Our phrase is also used to describe one of the main ingredients in making of the anointing oil used to anoint the tent of meeting and the other items of the tabernacle worship. Exodus 30:22-25 The Lord said to Moses, “Take the finest spices: of liquid myrrh 500 shekels, and of sweet-smelling cinnamon half as much, that is, 250, and 250 of aromatic cane, and 500 of cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hin of וְשֶׁ֥מֶן זַ֖יִת olive oil. And you shall make of these a sacred anointing oil blended as by the perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil. What is interesting with our phrase is both the concepts of holy as an ingredient of the holy anointing oil and the fact that it is the fuel that allows light to continue to stay on. These concepts remind me of Jesus parable of the ten virgins who had lamps that needed to stay lit while they were waiting. Jesus calls us to stay holy as we wait for his return. I’ll close with his parable as a great reminder to be ready and stay ready. Matthew 25:1-13 Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.