In the account of Jacob, oil is first mentioned when he poured it on a stone, an act later described by God as anointing the pillar. Anointing signifies to daub or to smear, which Jacob did with his oil on the stone. On another occasion when God met with Jacob at Bethel, Jacob again poured oil on a stone, highlighting the significance of this act. The use of oil in these moments underscores its importance in such sacred encounters.

God commanded His people to provide light, as recorded in Exodus 27:20-21, instructing the children of Israel to bring pure oil of pressed olives for the lamp to burn continually in the tabernacle of meeting. This oil, required to be pure and free of contamination, was essential for producing a clean, steady, and clear light necessary for the enclosed area where priests performed their tasks. The production of this pure olive oil demanded significant effort, likely requiring a large quantity of olives, possibly two to three pounds for just one cup, suggesting a daily, continual task for the Israelites. The lamp's burning duration was to be continual, with tending required from evening until morning by Aaron and his sons, ensuring the light did not go out. This responsibility, placed on the priests on behalf of the children of Israel, highlighted the importance of maintaining the light as a symbol of God's presence in the Tabernacle. In contrast, the anointing oil described in Exodus 30:22-24, which included a hin of olive oil mixed with quality spices, did not specify a requirement for the oil's purity or source, differing from the oil for the lamp, which was the direct responsibility of the Israelites to provide. Despite the challenging environment of the wilderness, where olives may not have been prevalent, God provided the means for the Israelites to fulfill this command, whether through stores brought from Egypt, harvests in the wilderness, or trade. This provision underscored God's expectation for continual obedience and action, reflecting the effort required to maintain the light. The pure oil symbolized the unseen actions and personal relationship with Christ, while the resulting light represented the visible godly character developed from such efforts, mirroring the presence of the Lord within.

The Hebrew word for oil, shemen, literally means fat or grease, but figuratively, it conveys richness and fruitfulness. Oil symbolizes wealth, abundance, health, energy, and a vital ingredient for a good life. Anciently, its primary use was for food, providing the body with more energy than carbohydrates and fewer byproducts when metabolized. In the dry, desert regions, olive oil protected and nourished the skin and scalp, and was even used to shield the body against the cold at night. It also served as fuel for lamps, burned as a source of light, and was applied as medicine. God commanded oil to be used in the consecration of sacred people and things, as well as an ingredient in offerings. For the people of that time, olive oil was akin to liquid gold, sometimes functioning as a form of currency. When properly made and stored, it could keep for years, retaining its value. Biblically, abundant oil signifies prosperity, while a lack of oil indicates famine and hardship. Excessive use of oil represents wastefulness, whereas saving it characterizes a wise man. Understanding the multifaceted uses of oil reveals why it symbolizes richness, fruitfulness, abundance, and vitality. It played an integral role in consecrations, representing the richness and abundance of God being poured out. God invites His people to partake in His richness and fruitfulness, likened to oil, promising that their lives will overflow with true abundance if they seek Him and focus on what truly matters. When we seek God and are nourished by His truth, it is as if He is pouring precious oil upon us, enriching our lives in ways that material things cannot match.