January 10, 1901, was the date of the most famous discovery of oil in Texas, when a great gusher erupted at Spindletop, near Beaumont.  It was the first salt dome oil discovery, and thousands of barrels of oil flowed prior to being capped.  A sensation was created throughout the world, It created a world sensation, and drilling in Texas has occurred ever since.  Production in Texas increased from 836,039 barrels in 1900 to 4,595,658 in 1901, and Spindletop alone produced 17,421,000 barrels, 94% of the state production.  Prices dropped to an all-time low of three cents a barrel.

”Words from Above” in the Bible tell us that oil was used for a number of special purposes.  Oil was a special mixture specified by God, and one of its most important purposes was to anoint and consecrate people for special ministries.  Aaron, the brother of Moses, was anointed with oil to serve as a priest, and so were his sons in future generations.  Oil was used by Samuel, a prophet and priest, to anoint David to be king over Israel.  Today many churches still anoint people with oil when they are called into ministry for the first time, or when they are sent out to start new ministries, plant churches, or go on missions.  When David was anointed with oil, he was empowered by the Holy Spirit, and so oil represented the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit of God.

The Bible likewise speaks about oil being used to anoint people for

healing, like when Jesus sent the disciples on a healing ministry.  Mark 6:12, 13 say that the disciples went out and preached that people should repent, and they drove out many demons and they anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.  Matthew 26 tells about a woman pouring oil from a box of very expensive ointment on the head of Jesus as he sat at a table in the house of Simon the leper.  Guests complained that this ointment could have been sold and the money given to the poor, but Jesus defended her, saying she had anointed His body for burial.

        Oil was also used as fuel in lamps which were burned continually in the Temple to represent the continual presence of God, and also the everlasting covenant that God had made with His people.  God promised in the covenant to be their God and that they would be His people conditioned on whether they would keep His commandments and His statutes.  The Holy Spirit of God continues to be available to live in the hearts and lives of people today as they invite Him into their lives.

        Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  For information, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.