Oil
on the Beard by Bill Britton
The young lad came running into the room,
out of breath, sweat running down his freckled face, his curly hair all tangled
from the wind. All eyes were turned upon him, and his face flushed, confused by
all the attention.
His eyes darted about the room. All his big brothers
were there, three of them in the military finery of Saul's army. Their faces were
dark as they looked at him, and a sneer of disgust curled the lips of Eliab, the
eldest. Shammah looked at his little brother and wondered why in the world he
couldn't have at least combed his hair and washed his face before coming in before
the Prophet of God.
David's eyes found his father. "What do you want
with me sir? Why did you send for me?" "Son, Samuel the prophet is here, and wants
to see you." Jesse's voice seemed tired, resigned.
Then David saw the
Prophet. Much older than he had realized. But it was Samuel. He had seen him once
at Shiloh, from a distance. This was the Prophet who had judged Israel for many
years before David was born, until Israel had demanded a king. Yes, it was really
him. But why did he want to see this lad?
"Sirs," Samuel was speaking
in that quiet voice of authority, "I have a witness in my heart that this is the
one I have come to anoint." This disappointment on the face of the older brothers
was matched only by the wonder and perplexity on David's young face. Then the
Prophet took out the horn of oil, and a divine light filled his eyes as he spoke
forth words with such an unction and authority that the boys had never heard before.
"Son, I speak in the Name of the Lord, and I anoint you this day in
the midst of your brethren. The Spirit of the Lord shall come upon you, and thou
shalt go forth and do great exploits in His Name, and the Lord shall exalt thee
in due time, and thou shalt reign over His people."
Suddenly it was
over. David's father Jesse, looked puzzled as he walked to the gate with Samuel.
Why was it not the firstborn? Was this not God's order ? Order or no order, the
Prophet explained, he must move by the guidance of the Spirit of God. And God
had ordained this anointing for the youngest. So he had obeyed. Now It was up
to the Lord God to fulfill it. The older brothers gathered in a group, muttering
darkly. If there was any honor, why did it have to go to the youngest, that little
pip-squeak. What had he ever done? Just a child, and a dreamer and singer at that.
The old Prophet must be out of his mind. Getting senile, probably. Nothing would
come of that prophecy. Just the senseless ramblings of an old man. So they reasoned.
Hardly noticed, David went back to his sheep. But there was a glow on
his face, his eyes brightly shining. Something was happening inside him. It was
as if a dozen springs had broken loose within, and he felt like singing as never
before. Anointed of God!
What did it all mean? He did not know, but
he knew that it was a wonderful experience, and he began to sing to the God of
Israel. He felt ten feet tall, and felt as tho he could run through a troop and
leap over the highest wall built.
THE FIRST FRUITS ANOINTING
This
anointing that came upon David was for rulership, for the Throne of Israel. But
David was just a lad, and mighty Saul sat solidly upon the throne. Nevertheless,
he was anointed. Godhad spoken. It would come to pass. Saul had another twelve
or fifteen years to reign. But in the mind of God, he was finished. A new order
had been established. A new king anointed.
This anointing came upon David
in his immaturity. He still was not recognized as king, not even allowed to do
a man's job as yet. But while Saul continued on in the deadness of his rule anddictatorship,
David was getting aquatinted with moving under this new anointing. In the fields
with his sheep, he sang of the Lord, his Shepherd. Words of praise flowed from
him like a river. No matter what job he had, or how many hours he worked, he was
always content. Revelation burst within him day by day, like the rising of a new
sun. He began to see the Lord as a great Shepherd, and saw the need of a King
in Israel who would be a shepherd to God's people.
He found a great
love in his heart for the sheep. So much so, that when a lion came and took a
little lamb from the flock, he fearlessly risked his life and ran after the lion,
rescued the lamb, and slew the lion in a hand to hand battle. Great exploits.
Yes, the word of the Prophet was being fulfilled. But the brothers were not here
to witness it. And they could never believe his word. So why risk ridicule by
trying to explain?
THE EARNEST OF THE INHERITANCE
Like David, many
have received an anointing from God. A heavenly oil poured out from above, and
the Spirit of the Lord breaking forth within like a fountain. This comes upon
the immature, spiritual children. Gifts are given, abilities and revelations are
imparted. But don't expect the brethren to understand. This is for His chosen,
His elect.
And don't expect them to rise and cheer, and accept your
authority, or put you on the throne. it just doesn't work that way. I Samuel 16
gives the pattern. But by the power of this glorious Holy Ghost anointing, exploits
are done. Many are in secret. But the day comes, when like David, God manifests
his chosen ones in the slaying of mighty Goliath. All Israel is blessed, then,
and rises up in Revival to conquer their enemies.
This anointing, this
baptism in the Spirit, is wonderful. Indeed it is glorious! It is an anointing
for rulership, for the throne. But we have received it, have worked exploits,
have killed bears and lions, and yet we still are not on the Throne. Like David,
we received this in our immature state, and there is much processing to go through
before God actually brings us to the reality of divine authority. Be patient therefore
brethren, have ye received the early rain? The latter shall surely come also.
We have received the "earnest" of our inheritance. Oh, I know that men
would tell you that you must wait until after death, till you get to heaven to
receive the inheritance, which they describe as a mansion in the sky, or something.
But nowhere does the Bible teach such as that. In Ephesians 1:14 it speaks of
the earnest of our inheritance, and the Amplified New Testament describes it as:
"the guarantee of our inheritance, the first fruit, the pledge and foretaste,
the down payment on our heritage - in anticipation of its full redemption and
our acquiring complete possession of it." This "earnest" is the Holy Spirit which
you have received. It is that divine anointing, typified by David's anointing
at the hands of Samuel.
The Bible teaches that the "inheritance" another
anointing, this time the fulness of the Holy Spirit, the "Spirit without measure"
that Jesus had. At the time of this anointing there is an ascending to the Throne
of God, to rule over all the works of His hands. We find this picture in the life
of David....
"RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!"
Anointed to rule? Look at him!
Hiding in a cave...hunted through the forests like a flea on a dog. He tried to
serve in Saul's house, even married his daughter, worked for Saul like a trooper.
But he was never really received. Saul hated that anointing, that divine ability.
How often we have tried to serve in the organized systems of men, even
"marrying" into their systems, and giving our time, strength, and ability to build
them up. But there is a divine anointing I that sets us apart. There can be no
compromise.
Finally we find ourselves fighting for survival, hidden
away as it were from the eyes of the public. Exploits forgotten, the masses staying
with Saul's organized system. It seems that doubts would flood in and try to destroy
the vision, and make us forget the prophetic word to us regarding the Throne.
But even in the caves, the anointing is there. Songs in the night flow out from
weary vessels, bringing new life and hope. When will God bring about the Fulfillment
of His Word? Some would slay Saul and hurry it up, but not the David company.
The times are in the Father's hands. We will wait upon the Lord, and have confidence
in our God. He is sovereign, and will bring his Word to pass.
THE FINAL
ANOINTING
Finally we see God's plan completed. Or perhaps I should say,
begun. Saul's 40 years are finished, and he is overcome by his enemies. And those
sons of Saul that saw and believed in the coming of a new order in the Kingdom,
yet would not leave Saul's house, died also with him in the battle.
Then David begins to rise on the scene. The Throne is waiting. In II Samuel 3:3
9 David acknowledges that he has been anointed king. The people begin to recognize
this. He finds favor with the elders of Israel. In chapter 5 of 11 Samuel we find
the elders of Israel coming to David in Hebron, and in verse 3 it says "and they
anointed David king over Israel." Why? Had he not been anointed by Samuel years
before? Yes, but that anointing was upon a beardless youth. Now David is 30 years
of age, a mature man of stature, a man ready to take the reins of government.
He is a man with a beard. And on the day that the anointing oil came upon his
beard, he sat on the throne of Israel, and reigned over God's promised land.
"OIL
ON THE BEARD"
What does the beard mean? It speaks of a full grown man,
a man of maturity. It does not indicate the feminine nature, nor the immaturity
of a little child. In Psa 133 we find the precious ointment being poured upon
the head of the High priest, "that ran down upon the beard." This High Priest
was not able to take office until he was 30 years of age. (Num. 4) This is not
the anointing of the Spirit given to children, nor to the woman, the bride. This
is an anointing given to the masculine, mature Manchild to govern and rule. It
is for authority, for the Throne.
Joseph was 30 years of age (Gen 41:14,
46) when he shaved his beard and sat clown on Pharoah's throne. Jesus was 30 years
of age when he received the authority of God in the fulness of the Spirit that
came upon him at Jordan. David was 30 years old when he was anointed king of Israel
with the anointing that ran down upon his beard. Thirty is symbolic of full stature,
full maturity.
Yes, the Body of Christ has already received an anointing
for rulership. It guarantees us the Throne. For the "earnest" is the guarantee,
the foretaste, the pledge. With it we are able even in our immaturity to do great
exploits in His Name. But another anointing is coming, and it comes upon the fully
matured, those who have come to "the measure of the stature of the fulness of
Christ (Eph 4:13)." This anointing is for government. No more just killing bears
and lions and giants. Others will be enabled to do this. (I Chron 20) David has
ascended to a far higher realm of rulership. He now sits on the Throne. He is
God's government in the earth.
Look at Jesus, after His experience at
Jordan. See the divine authority manifested in His life. The winds and waves obey
Him, the fig tree withers at His command. Devils flee at His word, and the fish
of the sea plunge into the nets in obedience to Him. Sickness and death bow in
submission, for here is the King, God's divine Government in the earth, the first
one to truly have "oil on the beard." All others were shadows, types, symbols.
He is the reality. And He is the first born of many brothers, God's mature masculine
company of rulers who make up His glorious Body. Praise God! Thank God every day
for the anointing of the Holy Ghost that you now have, it is the foretaste, the
earnest of that which is to come. But know this, there most surely is another
anointing of the fulness of God coming upon His elect, His chosen! And they shall
rule and reign with Him, and sit with Him upon His Throne, sharing His authority!
Bill Britton
Bill
Britton "Sons of God Awake " 