You anoint my head with oil;
- In the Bible oil is sometimes symbolic of the Holy Spirit, is sometimes used in acts of consecration to the
Lord and is sometimes medicinal. It appears to many Bible students that this context calls for the latter,
medicinal use.
- The Shepherd’s care of the sheep goes to what some would consider minor details. Sometimes small details
have huge consequences.
- Have you ever had a wonderful feast set before you at an outdoor picnic, only to have the joy of that
banquet lost due to flies on the food, gnats buzzing about your face, ears and head, or mosquitoes or other
pesky insects stinging, pinching or biting you?
- There are tiny black gnats that get into sheep’s eyes, nostrils and virtually all over their face, ears and head
that so distract them that they cannot eat, even if they are in a delectable pasture and protected from their
obviously life-threatening larger enemies. Shepherds in the Middle East have learned that they can make a
thick oily mixture of various substances that acts like an insect repellent and keeps those gnats from
“bugging” the sheep. Therefore, the sheep can eat in peace and comfort without distraction, remain healthy
and continue to mature.
- Our Great Shepherd likewise protects us from many “small”, often even unseen, physical and spiritual
irritants and opponents that hinder our physical and spiritual health and growth.
- Our Great Shepherd helps us in every possible way to enable us to become more and more like Him,
mature. Romans 8:28-29