The Beat Goes On
By Jim Huskins
McDowell County
A near-perfect blend of ironic humor and social commentary is known to many cultures: “The beatings will continue until morale improves.” This famous oxymoron may have originated in some militaristic culture such as ancient Sparta. Even in the context of rigid discipline as an overarching cultural ideal, only that tiny segment of true masochists could find delight in anticipating their next thrashing.
That relationship between pain and enthusiastic self confidence is a recurring Bible theme. One example is found in the instructions for equipping the Wilderness Tabernacle. “You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that a lamp may regularly be set up to burn.” The “beating” prescribed in this verse involves olives, not people, but consider the implications.
Every detail of the Tabernacle is a type and shadow of the person and/or ministry of Messiah. Exodus 25:31-40 provides instructions for making the Golden Menorah. Verse 37 of that passage says the purpose of the Menorah was to light the space around it. Later in Chapter 27 the appropriate fuel is specified: pure, beaten olive oil. Olives contain a high percentage of oil. Full extraction involves a series of pressings. Each step produces a lower quality oil. The first process generates a tiny fraction of the total, but that oil makes the purest light. This is the only grade acceptable for lighting the Tabernacle. This oil is called “beaten” even though it is produced by pressure. The first pressing does not result in the olives being ripped apart or mashed into pulp.
The Golden Menorah foretells that Jesus is The Light of the world. The Gospels report that the Son of God was beaten before He was crucified. Isaiah 53:5 prophesies His suffering, “He was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities.” Messiah took on human flesh so that He could pay the death penalty caused by my sin. His execution involved unimaginable pain, but His body was not crushed. Psalm 34:20 foretells that none of Messiah’s bones would be broken. John 19:36 proclaims the fulfillment. Both the pure, golden Menorah and the pure, beaten olive oil that fueled it are marvelous foreshadows of a life devoted to the purity of obedience and self sacrifice.
Ancient Israel depended on olives for light and a dietary staple in every home. Both oil and fruit were foundational to Israel’s domestic and trade economy, and yet the olive is far more than fuel and food. A full treatment of its significance and symbolism would require volumes, but we must not miss certain highlights. Olive oil is medicinal. Olive leaf extract boosts the immune system. God uses olive oil to impart healing and forgiveness. Pure, beaten olive oil was used to anoint kings, priests, and sacred vessels. Beaten oil was a component of many of the Levitical rituals. Those rituals made it possible for God’s people to stand in His presence. In every way, pure, beaten olive oil is a marvelous foreshadow of the life and work of Jesus. He is The True Light, The Living Water, and The Sustaining Bread from Heaven. He is also the only bridge between sinful humans and Holy God.
Just as God used pure olive oil to prepare His people to recognize the work of Messiah, He uses the symbolism of the olive tree to convey the blessings of being included in His family. Noah found assurance and comfort in the olive leaf carried by a returning dove. Psalm 52:8 compares the righteous to olive trees flourishing in the House of God. Olive trees have deep roots and are able to survive unimaginable adversity. They can live for thousands of years. These are potent reminders of the blessings God showers on those who belong to and obey Him. Jeremiah 11:16 describes Israel as “a green olive tree, beautiful with good fruit.” That verse also says that God will destroy those who stop producing good fruit. Rather than nullifying the covenants God made with Abraham and Moses, Paul teaches that faith in Messiah results in our being “grafted in” to the cultivated olive tree that is Israel. (Romans 11:17-24)
Israelites used ceramic lamps to light their homes. I suspect that many of them filled those lamps—at least part of the time—with beaten oil. The best oil produced the most light and the least smoke. On those special occasions, their earthen vessels contained treasure. In John 8:12, Jesus told us that He is the light of the world. In Matthew 5:14, He says that we are the light of the world. This is not a contradiction. The combination of those statements can only mean one thing. We—the earthen vessels—are given both the privilege and the obligation to bear the treasure of a Christ-like life.
The problem for us is that, in a world still cursed by the darkness of sin, Christ-like lives attract negative attention. Jesus walked in perfect obedience to God’s instructions for living, and it got him crucified. We cannot emulate Him without sharing His suffering. At the first sign of the pressure God frequently uses to extract from us the purest of light, we often cry out, “Oh God, why me!” Should we not instead be distressed when we notice that we are not facing any pushback from the forces of evil. A lack of conflict may mean that our life is having little impact for the Kingdom.
Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus endured the cross “for the joy set before Him.” What more could be said to promote unquestioning obedience. We should view the work assigned us through His perspective. Suffering causes us to be better reflectors of the Light of Life. Pain can fade to insignificance when we trust and obey. “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed: perplexed but not driven to despair.” By all means, let the beatings continue.
Obedient Heart Fellowship meets each Sabbath (Seventh Day) at 3023 US 221 N. Marion, NC. 10:00 A.M. 828-460-7913
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Jim & Beverly Huskins are members of Obedient Heart Fellowship in McDowell County. Beginning July 2, 2022 Obedient Heart Fellowship will meet at 10:00 Each Sabbath (Seventh Day) at 3023 US 221 N. Marion, NC. 10:00 A.M. Call 828-460-7913 for info.
You can read more good Christian news from Jim HERE.
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