Oil of Myrrh

Photo by: Tiko Giorgadze

I love research. When something piques my interest, I am always compelled to dig a little deeper into the subject matter. Of late, I have been delving into the biblical book of Esther. There are so many takeaways and life lessons in just a few, short chapters. The narrative is as riveting as anything Hollywood or Disney could conjure up.

My favorite Old Testament book chronicles the life of King Xerxes and his marital woes with a disobedient queen who would later be replaced by Queen Esther, a Jewish orphan child reared by her doting cousin in the Persian country. The Bible tells us "she won the favor of everyone who saw her." (Esther 2:15) Before becoming a royal bride, however, there was a two-part, purification process that took place over the course of one year. The prescribed beauty treatments consisted of six months of oil of myrrh and six months of perfume and cosmetics. Having only heard of myrrh in reference to the gifts presented at the birth of Jesus, I wanted to know more about this incense as it is listed specifically by name in the scriptures.

Oil of myrrh is an aromatic antioxidant used for cracked, chapped, and wrinkled skin. Purifying, restorative, uplifting, and revitalizing are the descriptors I read about this healing product. In modern times, myrrh is even used as an oral hygiene product. Classified as a sesquiterpene, the oil directly effects the hypothalamus, pituitary, and amygdala, meaning this oil has a direct effect on the glands that control our emotions. To harvest this powerful ingredient, the thorny, myrrh tree is struck until it bleeds this precious resin. Myrrh was also listed as an additive to the holy anointing oil used to anoint the Tabernacle, high priests, and kings. (Wikipedia, Google)

The parallel of the oil of myrrh with that of Jesus' blood resonates within me. A tree held our severely beaten Savior wearing a thorny crown, bearing the stripes that heal the areas of our lives cracked, chapped, and wrinkled from the effects of a life lived on earth. In His sacrifice, He purifies our emotions, sanctifies our mouths, anoints our heads with oil, and lavishes us with His sweet fragrance. Wrapped in His favor, race, creed, and nationality are of no importance for we have a new lineage. Our past is washed away, and we emerge as a bride worthy of our King.

One more thing to ponder. As Esther was undergoing the sanctification process, her very existence was devoted to being found beautiful, pleasing, and desirable so she would be chosen to be the bride of the king. Esther’s position in the kingdom would soon save her people from utter annihilation. So, not only was the royal position one to be coveted, it was in fact a position for which she was destined. It was imperative that Esther was prepared to operate in the appointed position at the appointed time in the appointed place because the lives of her people depended on it. She made herself ready and when the time came, Esther fulfilled her destiny.

“Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

We often get so entangled in the details and cares of everyday living that we neglect the purpose of our existence--to bring glory and honor to our King by making ourselves ready for the destiny He designed even before we formed in our mother’s womb. We should live our lives productively with Kingdom purpose so that we may be a sweet, healing fragrance to those in a lost world. There is a devastated, suffering people whose lives hang in the balance. What if you were born to be an advocate in this day? Would you be ready to step into the appointed position in the appointed time at the appointed place to fulfill your destiny?  If we could only grasp the importance of purifying our hearts and making ourselves ready, what a powerhouse we would be for the Kingdom!

Revelation 19:7, "Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready."