Olive Oil
”For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey”. Deuteronomy 8:7-8
The Oil of the Bible
Out of all of the oils we use, Olive oil it is truly my favorite oil. In our home, we use Olive Oil every single day as food, medicine, and for its natural resources. For instance, in place of butter, we use Olive oil for cooking, on bread, and in salads.
“Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.” James 3:12 KJV
In place of commercial hair and skin care products, we use Olive, Coconut, Grape seed, Almond and Castor oils instead. I also use Olive oil to condition wood utensils, dishes, and our cast iron skillet and pot.
Tip: Not all Olive Oil on the market today is the real deal. Be sure to look for a good quality, unrefined, cold- pressed NON GMO, Extra Virgin Olive Oil with a harvest date, in a dark glass bottle or in a stainless steel storage canister. I have found that Homegoods, Marshalls and TJ Maxx all carry high quality, imported Olive Oils at a great price.
Anointing Oil
“You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”
Hebrews 1:9 NKJV
On special occasions and when we feel the prompting of the Spirit, we use Olive Oil as anointing oil. Olive Oil is for Anointing Oil. Olive Oil is a holy oil that is highly favored by our Creator. As we saw earlier, when God gave Moses instructions to make the holy anointing oil, He chose Olive oil as the carrier oil to infuse the finest herbs of cinnamon, myrrh, calamus and cassia.
“Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels, And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin: And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil. Exodus 30:22-25 KJV
In the New Testament, we see Anointing Oil being used as spiritual medicine to heal the sick. One example is Mark Chapter 6. The disciples casted out devils and anointed the sick with oil and they were healed. Notice, they didn’t have food, money or a prepared message to give but instead a word of repentance and anointing oil.
“And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. And they went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.” Mark 6:7-13 KJV
Another example where we see anointing oil being used medicinally is in James Chapter six. Here, James instructs the sick to call on the elders of the church for healing. Elders back then would have been prepared to pray over the sick and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.
Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” James 5:13-15 KJV
Medicine
“And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.”
Genesis 8:11 KJV
Aside from its role as sacred Anointing oil, Olive oil by itself is very nutritious and highly medicinal. In addition to the oil, Olive leaves are also medicinal. Here are some medicinal actions and uses of Olive leaves and oil from, The Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine:
“Olive leaves lower blood pressure and help to improve the function of the circulatory system. They are also mildly diuretic and may be used to treat conditions such a cystitis. Possessing some ability to lower blood-sugar levels, the leaves have been taken for diabetes. The oil is nourishing and improves the balance of fats within the blood. It is traditionally taken with lemon juice in teaspoonful doses to treat gallstones. The oil has a generally protective action on the digestive tract and is useful for dry skin. * Clinical trials have shown that Olive leaves lower blood pressure.”
In the book Herbal Home Healthcare, Dr. Christopher writes of a natural healing program for patients who have been diagnosed with incurable diseases. One part of this healing program involves a Three Oil Massage, consisting of Wheat Germ, Castor and Olive oils:
“By using the skin as a filtering agent, the castor oil cleans and flushes the skin. It also goes into the blood stream, aiding in the removal of mucous and toxins from the inner body. The Olive Oil is a complete food itself and will penetrate into the body to feed and rebuild muscles, flesh and the entire system. Wheat germ oil is a healing oil, high in vitamin E, valuable in rejuvenating the body.”
Some years back, I bought a bunch of books during a sale at my local library. In one of the books, there was a newspaper article that had been cut out and placed in between two pages. Ironically, the article from the column “Herbal Pharmacy”covers a testimony of how Olive Oil impacts women's health:
Question: “I stopped using estrogen last summer, but now am suffering with vaginal dryness. This is causing me a lot of discomfort and is making relations with my husband difficult. I remember reading in your column that one woman says she is using Olive Oil for this problem. Does she ingest it, or does she use it directly in her vagina?
Answer: “She applied the Olive Oil directly. When she had a pelvic exam some months later, her doctor thought she was taking hormones because of the difference the Olive Oil had made.”
“And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.”
Luke 10:34 KJV
Out of more than 200 Phytochemicals and Micronutrients found in Olive oil, here are just a few from the book Low Fat Lies, which refers to Olive Oil as “Natures Healthiest Oil”:
Caffeic Acid: Caffeine acid has been shown to be a very effective antioxidant. There is evidence that caffein acid has also been shown to stop the production of potential cancer-causing compounds that form when meant is cooked. Other research has shown that caffein acid not only blocks carcinogens from attacking cells but also inhibits tumor growth once a cancerous process has started. But that’s not all. Caffeic acid has been shown to inhibit the growth of some bacteria and fungi and also inhibit xanthine oxidase, the enzyme that makes uric acid. Uric acid is related to the development of gout. This means caffein acid may play a role in the prevention of cancer and heart disease as well as infections and gout, though these benefits have not yet been verified in humans.
Ferulic Acid: Ferulic Acid may be even better at preventing LDL oxidation than Vitamin C is. It can protect a certain LDL protein from oxidation, thereby decreasing the risk of heart disease. Ferulic Acid is also useful in several biochemical reactions that prevent the formation or activity of carcinogens.
Hydroxytyrosol: Hydroxytyrosol has been shown to be a powerful antioxidant that rivals and may even surpass Vitamin E in efficacy. suggesting a possible role in preventing cancer and heart disease. It seems to not only prevent the formation of free radicals, but also trap and destroy free radicals if they do form. It also prevents platelets from aggravating and forming clots. This latter property may play a role in preventing heart disease.
Vanillic Acid: Vanillin Acid is in a class of compounds called polyphenols, which are found in both olive oil and wine. Vanillic Acid has been shown to inhibit the growth of some bacteria and fungi, which suggests that it may play a role in fighting infection.
Vitamin E: A fat-soluble vitamin and antioxidant, vitamin e can protect LDL cholesterol from oxidizing, and in some studies it has been associated with lowering rates of heart disease. The type of vitamin e that is in Olive Oil, alpha-tocopherol, is one that is most easily used by the body, Vitamin E seems to work particularly well with vitamin C, a water-soluble vitamin.
In addition to beneficial micronutrients and phytochemicals, the monounsaturated fats in Olive Oil are credited with the prevention of diseases such as Osteoporosis, Cataracts, Arthritis, and Gallbladder Disease.
“Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching.”
Luke 12:35-37 NKJV
As another natural resource, Olive oil can also be used as fuel for oil lamps. In Bible days, without electricity, fire from oil lamps would have been a source of lighting at night. One example where we see this is in Leviticus Chapter 24, “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually.” Leviticus 24:1 KJV
Another Biblical example where Olive oil is used as fuel is in the prophetic Parable of the Ten Virgins. The wise virgins, who had oil in their lamps represent the faithful remnant who are watching, waiting and ready for the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”Matthew 25:1-13 KJV
Inspired by this parable, some years back, a brother and sister in Christ found a replica of an ancient Biblical Clay oil lamp online, just like the one pictured above. I was so inspired that I also got one for our home. Using the clay lamp for lighting, puts God’s natural resources of fire, oil, and earth to good use and also serves as a reminder to be watchful of the signs of the times and also stay prepared both spiritual and physically.
“Be dressed and ready for active service, and keep your lamps continuously burning. Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that when he comes and knocks they may immediately open the door for him.” Luke 12:35-36 AMP
“And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.”
Revelation 18:13 KJV