The Lord spoke to Moses and made known to him that he was to make a holy anointing oil (Exod. 30:22-33) and a “pure and holy” perfume (Exod. 30:34-38) for sacred use in the tabernacle. God sternly warned that His judgment would be upon any of His people who made either of these for any other use:
Exo 30:32 Upon man’s flesh shall it [the holy anointing oil] not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you.
33 Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people.
Exo 30:37 And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the LORD.
38 Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people.
Both of these prohibitions were given to God’s people, Israel.
Are these prohibitions still the will of God for His people today (Christians; cf. Acts 15:14) or are Christians free to make one or the other or both of these mixtures that God said were holy for His people Israel and use them however they wish?
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Sounds like The Lord doesn’t want us to use perfumes or lotions. Is that right?
No, Kojo, that was not what I was getting at. I was asking whether it would be ok for Christians to make and use however they want the exact same oil or perfume that God directed the Israelites to make. I do not think that the passage has anything to say about Christians not using perfumes or lotions in general.
Very interesting question and eager to know correct answer from others 🙂
I am also eager to hear what other people think about this question, Ashok.