The shepherd anoints his sheep with oil for two purposes. First, to repel insects. If allowed to deposit their eggs into the soft membrane of a sheep’s nose they can drive the sheep insane; the ewes stop giving milk and the lambs stop growing. So the shepherd anoints his sheep with an oil-like repellent that keeps the enemy at bay and the flock at peace. Second, to heal wounds. Most wounds result from living with the flock. So the shepherd regularly inspects his sheep because he doesn’t want today’s wound to become tomorrow’s infection.
Whether circumstances are driving you crazy, or you have just been wounded as a result of living with the flock, always go to the Shepherd. Before you go to anybody else, go to God because ‘He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds’ (Psalm 147:3 NIV). Then, bow before Him.
In order to be anointed the sheep must lower their heads and let the shepherd apply the oil. Humble yourself, call on the Lord. ‘God will always give what is right to his people who cry to him, he will not be slow to answer them’ (Luke 18:7 NCV). David writes, ‘I shall be anointed with fresh oil’ (Psalm 92:10). Yesterday’s oil is quickly contaminated by the dirt and grime of the journey, so you must go to God daily and ask Him to empower you with His Spirit. A sheep doesn’t understand how the oil works, but it doesn’t have to. It is enough to know that something happens in the presence of its shepherd that happens nowhere else.
