Read Psalm 2 at Bible Gateway.
The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us.” Psa 2:2-3
“Anointed” is in Hebrew, Mashiyach (Messiah), Strong’s H4899, “anointed one,” from the three- letter root mashach, Strong’s H4886, “to smear with oil.” The common oil used in cooking and for fuel was olive oil. Oils were also extracted from other substances, which were then added to olive oil for their beneficial or medicinal qualities. Thus oil was smeared on an injury to effect healing. Might this be connected to oil being smeared on the head of someone who was to serve as a king, priest, or prophet, i.e. someone exercising authority from God on His behalf? Follow:
When Adam listened to the voice of his wife, who was echoing the voice of the serpent, instead of the voice of God (Gen 3:17), he in essence bowed his knee to the serpent instead of to God. The Promised Seed was coming to crush the head of the serpent, whom Adam had made his head, his authority. So oil was smeared on the head of the one who would serve as king, priest, or prophet on God’s behalf, to indicate a healing of the head – the authority – which had been injured; to indicate the king’s, priest’s, or prophet’s return and obedience to Elohiym as head.
Psalm 2 reveals that the Anointed One will accomplish the work for which He was anointed — restoring the earth and all in it to obedience to YHVH’s authority. They are wise who submit to Him voluntarily rather than wait for His wrath to force submission (Psa 2:10). Even beyond those who are wise, are those who are blessed, who submit to Him voluntarily because they have placed their trust in Him (Psa 2:12) as the One who not only exercises might and power, but who holds the Shepherd’s staff in His hand!
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