February 2025 – Page 2 – 333 Words of Grace

Lessons from the Biblical Apothecary #4

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

“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 30:25 KJV).

Let us learn some lessons from the biblical apothecary….

Read verses 34-36: “And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy: And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.”

As touching the perfume or incense, it too was a recipe the LORD had invented. Of equal quantities the following “sweet spices” were to be mixed. “Stacte” was sap from various unidentified tree or plant species. “Onycha” was a type of mussel or mollusk shell that emitted an aroma when burned. “Galbanum,” also having an extremely strong odor, was rubbery resin extracted from the roots of a flowering plant native to Afghanistan, Syria, and Persia (Iran). “Frankincense” (Boswellia carteri) was tree sap or bark imported from Saudi Arabia or Ethiopia. This mixture was to burned on the altar of incense in the Tabernacle before the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 30:1-9).

See Exodus 30:1,6-9: “And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thou make it…. And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee. And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it. And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations. Ye shall offer no strange incense thereon, nor burnt sacrifice, nor meat offering; neither shall ye pour drink offering thereon.” Any such “strange [foreign] incense,” which God rejected, was produced when the recipe of Exodus 30:34-36 was not followed!

Let us see other Divinely-ordained specifications associated with the biblical apothecary’s work….

Lessons from the Biblical Apothecary #3

Monday, February 17, 2025

“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 30:25 KJV).

Let us learn some lessons from the biblical apothecary….

Read verses 22-24: “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:….”

This holy anointing oil was made according to a special recipe the LORD wrote. “Pure myrrh” (Balsamodendron myrrha) was derived from balsam-tree sap imported from Arabia and Ethiopia. Emitting a strong odor, its oily gum hardened upon exposure to air. “Five hundred shekels” (14.5 pounds, or 7 kilograms) of this myrrh were added to half that weight of “sweet cinnamon” (Laurus cinnamomum, laurel tree bark growing in Ceylon and Malaysia). This was added to roughly 7.25 pounds, or 3.5 kilograms, of “sweet calamus” (Acorus calamus, also known as “sweet flag” [an iris-like reed]). Approximately 14.5 pounds or 7 kilograms of “cassia” (flowers or tree bark from India, perhaps Cinnamomum?) and a “hin” (1.5 gallons or 5.7 liters) of “oil olive” were combined to complete the mixture.

“[25] 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. [26] And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony, [27] And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense, [28] And the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot. [29] And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy. [30] And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office.”

Although its ingredients are somewhat enigmatic to us (the species of plant or tree are not always identified), this we do know. The holy anointing oil was used in the Law of Moses to set apart people and instruments unto JEHOVAH God….

Lessons from the Biblical Apothecary #2

Sunday, February 16, 2025

“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 30:25 KJV).

Let us learn some lessons from the biblical apothecary….

Firstly, what exactly is an “apothecary?” Here are the six pertinent verses from the Authorized Version that shed some light on the subject. “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…. And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy:…” (Exodus 30:25,35). “And he made the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the apothecary” (Exodus 37:29).

“Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour” (Ecclesiastes 10:1). “And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries’ art: and they made a very great burning for him” (2 Chronicles 1:14). “Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths. Next unto him also repaired Hananiah the son of one of the apothecaries, and they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall” (Nehemiah 3:8).

In ancient times, the apothecary (Greek, “apotheke,” “storehouse”) was someone who prepared and sold spices and/or compounded and sold medicine (drugs, “perfumes,” and “ointments”). The closest modern equivalent to an apothecary is a pharmacist or a very basic physician (treating medical problems, albeit with extremely limited knowledge). Having just come out of Egypt (the Book of Exodus, the context of today’s Scripture), Moses and Israel were quite familiar with this profession. The (advanced) Egyptian people had an abundance of apothecaries, and, doubtless, their herbs and spices (valuables) would have been among the treasures the Egyptians hastily gave the departing Israelites (see Exodus 12:35; Exodus 32:2,3; Exodus 35:22).

Following the practice of the apothecary, Moses was to prepare a holy anointing oil plus perfume or incense for JEHOVAH God….

Lessons from the Biblical Apothecary #1

Saturday, February 15, 2025

“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 30:25 KJV).

Let us learn some lessons from the biblical apothecary….

Read Exodus 30:22-36: “[22] Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [23] 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, [24] And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin: [25] 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. [26] And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony, [27] And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense, [28] And the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot. [29] And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy. [30] And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office.

“[31] And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations. [32] Upon man’s flesh shall it 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. [34] And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: [35] And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy: [36] And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.”

We now examine these verses more fully….

God is Love

Friday, February 14, 2025

“…God is love… God is love… We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:8b,16b,19 KJV).

The word “love” is used very flippantly in today’s world. Of the many who speak about “love,” few know what it is. On this Valentine’s Day, we offer sound doctrine from God’s Word to correct the misunderstandings of what love really is. What is love, according to God’s Word?

Today’s Scripture says that “God is love”—God does not simply love, but His very nature is love. What does that mean? In 1 John 3:16, we read: “Hereby we perceive the love of God, because he laid down his life for us:” Our Apostle Paul put it this way: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). God’s nature is love—selfless, self-sacrificing!

God’s Word defines love and charity in 2 Corinthians 12:15: “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.” Love is seeking the best interest of others, even if it costs you something (time, energy, resources, et cetera). Charity is love in deed (demonstrated, manifested in action). God loved us, so He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins. It cost God the Father His Son, and it cost God the Son His life. What a selfless act!

Our nature in Adam is selfish, but our nature in Christ is not. Paul declares, “the love of Christ constraineth us” (2 Corinthians 5:14). We who have trusted Jesus Christ alone as our personal Saviour, our Christian lives are driven and motivated by Christ’s love for us, not our love for Him. It is this unselfish love of Christ working in us that causes us to look on the things of others, to seek their edification and their benefit, not ours (Romans 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 10:24; Philippians 2:1-11). This will result in charity, our selfless actions reflecting that love of Christ (2 Corinthians 12:15).

As the lost world observes our Christian service, they will see, “God is love.”

*Adapted from a larger Bible study with the same name. The Bible study can be read here or watched here.

You can see our archived Bible Q&A study: “Should Christians celebrate Valentine’s Day?”

Love, Not Eloquence

Thursday, February 13, 2025

“And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved” (2 Corinthians 12:15 KJV).

A dear Christian brother, now enjoying Heaven, wrote long ago: “It is not the tongue that counts—it is the heart. There are many educated ministers today who can prepare and deliver eloquent sermons; but if the heart is not filled with the love of God, the message will be empty and vain.” We agree wholeheartedly!

Read Philippians 1:15-18. Some people serve in ministry out of goodwill and love—endeavoring to benefit others, seek their highest good, profit them, impart sound Bible doctrine unto them, offer them spiritual light and understanding. Others in ministry simply wish to attack, belittle, or pick fights. God’s love is not operating in them: their flesh underlies what they do and speak. They might even study the Bible, and sound like the Lord Jesus Christ’s servants, but they are spiteful and vindictive. Philosophy (man’s wisdom), not the love of the Holy Spirit, governs them. As today’s Scripture expresses, Paul was just the opposite.

Read the Apostle’s other words to Corinth: “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Corinthians 1:17-21).

“And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:1,2). Above all, brethren, may we be gentle and loving (instead of “philosophical”) in ministry as we share the Message of Grace!

To Hold One’s Peace #3

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

“And the man wondering at her held his peace…” (Genesis 24:21 KJV).

The King James Bible features nearly 60 references to men “holding [their] peace.” What is the denotation?

“And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me” (Mark 10:48). “But he held his peace, and answered nothing…” (Mark 14:61). “And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not” (Luke 4:35). “And they held their peace…” (Luke 14:4). “And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me” (Luke 18:39). “And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out” (Luke 19:40).

“…[A]nd they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace” (Luke 20:26). “When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God,…” (Acts 11:18). “But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place” (Acts 12:17). “And after they had held their peace, James answered,…” (Acts 15:13). “Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:…” (Acts 18:9). “If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace” (1 Corinthians 14:30).

The Authorized Version defines “holding the peace” as: “answered him not a word” (2 Kings 18:36; Isaiah 36:21), “found nothing to answer” (Nehemiah 5:8), “their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth” (Job 29:10), “dumb with silence” (Psalm 39:2), “keep silence” (Psalm 83:1; Isaiah 62:6), “shutteth his lips” (Proverbs 17:28), and “answered nothing” (Mark 14:61). “Hold” is “maintain or keep in a specified state or relation.” For example, “hold still” is “stay motionless.” Hence, “hold one’s peace” is “maintain silence.”

To Hold One’s Peace #2

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

“And the man wondering at her held his peace…” (Genesis 24:21 KJV).

The King James Bible features nearly 60 references to men “holding [their] peace.” What is the denotation?

“He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace” (Proverbs 11:12). “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding” (Proverbs 17:28). “But they held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king’s commandment was, saying, Answer him not” (Isaiah 36:21). “I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once” (Isaiah 42:14).

“…have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?” (Isaiah 57:1). “For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth” (Isaiah 62:1). “I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,…” (Isaiah 62:6).

“Wilt thou refrain thyself for these things, O LORD? wilt thou hold thy peace, and afflict us very sore?” (Isaiah 64:12). “My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war” (Jeremiah 4:19). “Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests” (Zephaniah 1:7).

“And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David” (Matthew 20:31). “But Jesus held his peace,…” (Matthew 26:63). “And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him” (Mark 1:25). “…But they held their peace” (Mark 3:4). “But they held their peace…” (Mark 9:34).

There is still more….

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To Hold One’s Peace #1

Monday, February 10, 2025

“And the man wondering at her held his peace…” (Genesis 24:21 KJV).

The King James Bible features nearly 60 references to men “holding [their] peace.” What is the denotation?

“…[A]nd Jacob held his peace until they were come” (Genesis 34:5). “…And Aaron held his peace” (Leviticus 10:3). “And her father hear her vow, and her bond wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father shall hold his peace at her…” (Numbers 30:4; cf. verses 7,11,14). “And they said unto him, Hold thy peace, lay thine hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest:…” (Judges 18:19). “…But he held his peace” (1 Samuel 10:27). “…but hold now thy peace, my sister:…” (2 Samuel 13:20).

“…And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace” (2 Kings 2:3; cf. verse 5). “Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace:…” (2 Kings 7:9). “But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king’s commandment was, saying, Answer him not” (2 Kings 18:36).“…Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer” (Nehemiah 5:8). “So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace,…” (Nehemiah 8:11).

“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time,…” (Esther 4:14). “Should thy lies make men hold their peace?…” (Job 11:3). “O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom” (Job 13:5). “Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will” (Job 13:13). “The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth” (Job 29:10). “Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak” (Job 33:31; cf. verse 33).

“I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred” (Psalm 39:2). “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears…” (Psalm 39:12). “Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God” (Psalm 83:1). “Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise;…” (Psalm 109:1).

There is more….

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To Hold One’s Peace #1 “And the man wondering at her held
his peace…” (Genesis 24:21
KJV). The King James Bible features nearly 60
references to men “holding [their] peace.” What is the denotation? “…[A]nd Jacob held his peace
until they were come” (Genesis 34:5). “…And Aaron held
his peace” (Leviticus 10:3). “And her father hear her vow, and her
bond wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father shall hold his peace
at her…” (Numbers 30:4; cf. verses 7,11,14). “And they said unto him, Hold
thy peace, lay thine hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a
father and a priest:…” (Judges 18:19). “…But he held his peace”
(1 Samuel 10:27). “…but hold now thy peace, my sister:…” (2
Samuel 13:20). “…And he said, Yea, I know it; hold
ye your peace” (2 Kings 2:3; cf. verse 5). “Then
they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings,
and we hold our peace:…” (2 Kings 7:9). “But the people held
their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king’s commandment was,
saying, Answer him not” (2 Kings 18:36).“…Then held they their peace,
and found nothing to answer” (Nehemiah 5:8). “So the Levites stilled all
the people, saying, Hold your peace,…” (Nehemiah 8:11). “For if thou altogether holdest thy
peace at this time,…” (Esther 4:14). “Should thy
lies make men hold their peace?…” (Job 11:3). “O that ye would
altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom” (Job
13:5). “Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come
on me what will” (Job 13:13). “The nobles held their peace, and
their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth” (Job 29:10). “Mark
well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak” (Job
33:31; cf. verse 33). “I was dumb with silence, I held my
peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred”
(Psalm 39:2). “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not
thy peace at my tears…” (Psalm 39:12). “Keep not thou silence, O
God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God” (Psalm 83:1). “Hold
not thy peace, O God of my praise;…” (Psalm 109:1). There is more….

Something Not Worth Losing

Sunday, February 9, 2025

“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26 KJV).

Super Bowl Sunday comes annually in the United States. Teams fuel the intense passions in the athletic world by vying for a corruptible trophy. Howbeit, the competition in today’s Scripture is spiritual, is worldwide, never has a halftime, and involves the eternal souls of men!

The human soul is most zealous about religion, politics, and sports. These areas are most personal, so they generate many heated debates and conflicts. However, believe it or not, there are worse outcomes than losing a church member, losing an election, and losing a game. Losing your eternal soul is the greatest of all losses!

In the context of today’s Scripture, Jesus Christ told His Jewish disciples to “take up [their] cross, and follow [him]” (verse 24). “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (verse 25). They should not fear losing their earthly lives for His sake. What is most important is that they not lose their souls!

Jesus Christ declared there is more to life than this physical world and its temporal possessions. There is a spiritual world—an afterlife—to consider. In today’s Scripture, He asks them, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Does it make sense to emphasize this temporary world and its corruptible goods, to the point of ignoring your eternal soul, and wind up losing it in hellfire forever and ever?

Dear reader, there is more to you than just your physical body. Your inner man—your soul, your spiritual body—is everlasting. To ignore Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork as sufficient payment for your sins, is to remain dead in those sins, resulting in you spending eternity suffering God’s wrath in the lake of fire literally as a nameless, hopeless, disfigured creature.

Your soul is not worth losing! Trust Christ as your personal Saviour today!

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